I don't think so, but I'm apparently a freak, and running has done nothing for my legs. Personally, I would proudly rock some nice calf muscles; she sounds like a moron.
No. I have well defined calves because of genetics. Everyone on my dad's side has them.
This too. My dad has large muscular calves. I agree that genetics has a lot to do with it. My H has stick legs and he runs. The local weather lady here is a huge runner, fabulous athlete, and when I saw her in person I was shocked at her legs.
I don't think I have big calves, but they are muscular. My quads on the other hand? I split a pair of pants in the thigh even though they fit everywhere else. #sorrynotsorry
I don't think I have big calves, but they are muscular. My quads on the other hand? I split a pair of pants in the thigh even though they for everywhere else. #sorrynotsorry
I guess I must have runners' calves, because I have to shop specifically for boots with wider than average shaft circumference. I'm sort of in between regular and wide calves (with 6.5B feet), which is a pain.
I've had those calves before I was a runner though. They used to joke that they could tell the girls from Cornell at Ivy League swimming championships by our calves (from walking up all the hills on campus all the time). No idea if our calves were actually statistically bigger than average. Also no idea if I had big calves even before then.
Honestly, aside from boot-buying, and an insistence on never wearing skirts or dresses that hit mid-calf (near the widest part) I can't say it's something I'm self-conscious about. It seems like a weird body part to hang up on! Definitely a silly thing to give up running for!
I guess I must have runners' calves, because I have to shop specifically for boots with wider than average shaft circumference. I'm sort of in between regular and wide calves (with 6.5B feet), which is a pain.
I've had those calves before I was a runner though. They used to joke that they could tell the girls from Cornell at Ivy League swimming championships by our calves (from walking up all the hills on campus all the time). No idea if our calves were actually statistically bigger than average. Also no idea if I had big calves even before then.
Honestly, aside from boot-buying, and an insistence on never wearing skirts or dresses that hit mid-calf (near the widest part) I can't say it's something I'm self-conscious about. It seems like a weird body part to hang up on! Definitely a silly thing to give up running for!
Honestly when I hear people say things like that I assume they "ran" for a few weeks and were looking for excuses to stop. I put them in the same box as people who "stopped lifting because I didn't want get bulky"
I am more of a cyclist than a runner and my calves are pretty muscular. I can barely squeeze them into some of my skinny jeans, but I like the way they look.
A woman at work went on and on about my muscular calves and asked if I was a dancer. I think she was trying to be complimentary, I told her I run and that must be it. Now I feel self conscious about my calves though!
I used to have stick calves. Growing up riding horses (and even in college) I had to have custom tall boots made because the "slim" boots were too large still. After I started running- this is no longer a problem, I border on needing a wide... I wish I had the growing speed to go along with my growing calves...
I have very muscular and kinda stumpy calves. I think part of it is genetics and part is the running. I long for long, slender calves but I'm thankful for strong legs.
Fun fact: did you know that you can get calve implants? I saw some guy on True life get them. Despite all his efforts to beef up his calves, he had no luck so he got implants in his legs. Crazy.
Running may bulk up your calves if you're predisposed to muscular calves. Mine get more defined, but not really any wider. Which is weird, because nothing else on my body is afraid of getting wider.
I have muscular calves, but I never thought of them being any larger than normal. I do have larger quads than the average person but at least they have definition. I like the way I look and I like that I'm super strong- strong enough to kick that stupid lady without a filter in her skinny calves!!
Post by spunkypenguin on Sept 30, 2014 11:41:14 GMT -5
Yes, running gave me monster calves and quads. Lifting weights gave me even bigger quads - I have very solid legs! I'm A-OK with it, too - I like the way my legs look.
I haven't noticed an increase in the size of my calves since running, but they've never been small and dainty. My quads are bigger, but I dig them. I don't bulk up easily, so I get excited when I see muscles or definition.