Running and tight calves

Give them rest.

I tore my gastrocs in 2010 and it took a long time to heal up.  Get a good sports massage and have them pay attention to the calves.  Soak in epsom salts.....a jaccuzzi......But do not run long or hard (or at all) for a good week to 10 days.  Yes, you are missing time preparing for the half mary.  BUT, if your legs are that tight they need the rest.

The stick and foam roller only compress the muscle.  You really want to do things to gently release it which massage and PT will accomplish.

It is hard, I wanted to run more than anything......for almost 8 months.  Yes, that's how long I spent in PT when I tore the thing. 

would compression sleeves help with this? 

I actually think it has a lot to do with your use of the Newtons.

I recently transitioned from heelstrike to forefoot strike using VFFs, and I'm still having intermittent pains in my calves and achilles. It's a big change that takes adaptation and just gradual incremental improvement.

Newton's have been used for 3 years, and taking "without fail" to mean every time. That should be plenty of time for adaptation to take place.

What has changed recently over the past few weeks (or a little longer) when compared to the past few years? Are you running more (longer runs or more frequently)? Are you running harder? Any terrain differences? Like are you running more off-road or more hills?

I've been using Kinvaras for a year, a pretty flat shoe with a 4 mm drop (same as most Newtons). When I pick it up, via more running or more intensity, calves will be the first thing to tire or become a little more sore.

I have been training only for triathlons for the past several years, and doing small running events on the side without any running specific training.  This is my first year to not just take the winter off.  I am following the BT 1/2 marathon training program (but even with skipping a few runs here and there since I am not used to running quite so much).  Also, over the summer my longest run would typically only be 6/7 miles, but now I am up to 11 at my last long run.  So, should I take days off or just reduce my running until my calves start to feel back to normal?  I always hear to rest, but can reducing my running for maybe a week be considered rest?

I think we're pretty close. I just attribute it more to the change in run patterns than to the shoe. I use Kinvaras, another 4 mm drop shoes, and have gone through similar. I think of it as adapting to the shoe while trying to get back up to current levels of running, and then part of general run fitness from that point on as not everything will improve at the same rate.

Slow down. 

I can still run pretty fast for my age...and I almost never do.  I was not this smart when I was younger, and I got injured alot....I'm never injured these days. (knock on wood)

Have you tried stretcing after you run, particularly focusing on the calves and hamstrings?

What is your expected race pace for the HM? Your training paces are all over the place so it's hard to tell what you're doing. For example you have a couple short runs before and after a long run at about 2 minutes per mile slower than the long run.

check this out from newton about tight calves. When i ran in newtons i was so focused on trying to run on my forefoot i was braking too with my forefoot and it would cause tight calves. Try landing parallel and maybe it will eliminate some tightness. It worked for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTLVuq8XOdM

That video is all about keeping your feet under your hips as you plant......this principle is as old as dirt, and always right.  Most people, as they try to get faster, lose this. 

We spend tons of time talking about technique in swimming, and rightfully so.  But not near enough about technique in running.  If you can keep your feet under your hips as you run, and be very patient as you get more proficient, you can get get faster without getting hurt.

There are many people here with more knowledge than I have on running programs and endurance builds.....and you HAVE to listen to them.  It's gold.  But I've run at elite levels for short distances...mile to 5K...and technique is huge. (yes, it was 30 years ago, but as I said, the principle has not changed)  That does not go away as you go for longer distances.  In fact, it's more important for injury prevention.

Have "light" feet, keep your feet under your hips, lean forward,  and RARELY run fast.

PATIENCE!!!!!!

You cannot get faster by getting hurt.

YOGA. My calves are perpetually tight if I neglect doing yoga. I don't do it much; I aim for one class a week but the studio around here has a slow, deep-stretching class called yin yoga that is AMAZING for runners. (And a nice contrast to the always-moving s/b/r.)

Ditto the compression sleeves, although I rarely wear them while running these days (probably will when I increase distance >10 miles again), they work really well for recovery on the tight-calf days.

This.  However, before you run out and buy anything new, try using the form roller an stick at least tree times a day.  Bad things come from tight calves.