Discussion: skins

calf compression things do help I think.
the other thing that worked for me to get over calf strains was barefoot running.
its a bit paradoxical because it does put a of stretch and consequent stiffness / tightness into your calves at first and as you build up.
But the reason I think it works is that barefoot you run with a forefoot strike and - to get all anthropological / physiological - that's the way we ran for millenia and it is therefore the way that we are actually wired to run in terms of neuro-muscular firing patterns - its natural.
Because its natural and everything is firing in the intended order I think it changes the stresses on the strained area - quite possibly protecting them a bit and allowing them to recover in the best way possible, which is by gently using them.
Thats my theory anyway, it worked for me.
But
Not sure that it would be ideal to start with just over a week to a big focus - it might help, it might be too much change too near.
You might want to consider it after the race as a preventative measure - because it would seem that you may have entered the calf strain phase of your career.

"calf strain phase" - you mean getting old ;-)

Interesting. Thanks for input. Physio reckons it was nerve based rather than muscular so might be slightly different. Seems to be progressing well anyway. I've got a few pairs of compression socks, will dig them out and start looking like a dafty (again).