So when is a strained calf muscle going to heal?

I've been on the elliptical for the last 5 days waiting for my calf to show absolutely no sign of pain. It's almost there but not completely healed. For the first time in my life, I'm going to wait for no pain whatsoever before resuming training. I'm beginning to believe this "don't overtrain" stuff. Maybe there is something to the work-recover-work-recover mantra. Fortunately, there were about 5 extra weeks in my prep schedule, so I've got some wiggle room.

For those who don't know it, Sara (daughter) is in Chicago and asked me to join her in either a half marathon or 10 miler next summer. I'm looking forward to running with her. My goal is to do something athletic, on an "equals" basis with each of the kids. Jacob and I played side-by-side in soccer, and now Sara and I will run together. Unfortunately, I couldn't wrestle with Ben (he would have annihilated me) and didn't get to play soccer with Sam. I've got to work on the two younger ones before I am wheelchair bound!