I RAN 8 MILES - ALMOST!

Yesterday we were scheduled to run 8 miles along the canals in Modesto. When I woke up, it had been raining and it was cool outside, perfect running weather. We take off from Mr. T's donuts and head up Tully to the canal. Some Team In Training volunteers set up water stations every 2 miles which is really handy, but I still run with my water belt so that I am used to running with it when I get to the marathon.
So, the weather was great, I was well hydrated, and I was running with 2 other ladies that run the pace I want to be able to keep (about an 11:30 mile). Things were going good. Then, around mile 7, we were at a point where the other 2 gals were running on the street with traffic, which I don't like to do. I'll run in the street facing traffic, but I don't like running with traffic because I can't see the cars coming. That's when I opted to run on the sidewalk. The other 2 ladies were saying that they can't run on cement because it hurts their knees and other assorted joints, but I was saying how it's no big deal because I always end up on the sidewalk at some point just about every time I run. We had about a mile left. We had a really good pace. Things were going great.
That's when my right calf just cramped up. It hurt so bad that I decided I better stop and stretch it. So I did that, and it felt better...until I tried to run again. It cramped up again. So I decided to walk it off a little bit. That felt great, so I tried to run again. It cramped up yet again. So I decided that maybe I should just walk to the end. Walking felt completely fine so of course I had to try running again. Did I mention that I had had a really good time going? That was going down the tubes with every non running step I took. Needless to say, I finished the last mile walking. My calf felt fine. I stretched it out everyway possible. It felt fine the rest of the day.
This morning I was scheduled to run for 30 minutes. I figured I would just take it nice and slow today and work out any kinks I had in my calf. The first 10 minutes were great, no cramping or pain whatsoever. Then my right hamstring got tight and then the dreaded calf tightness returned. Frustrated, I walked for about 5 minutes. This shouldn't be happening. I'm following my training schedule to the letter and I'm actually stretching before and after my runs which I've never done in the past. Since it was not really a pain, but more of a tightness in my calf, I decided I would run the last half mile, no matter how slow I had to go. I finished the half hour "ralking" (running form, but walking speed) and most of the tightness in my calf had loosened up by the end. I stretched it out really well after I was done and, again, haven't felt any pain or tightness the rest of the day.
Tomorrow is a scheduled day off. Hopefully, Tuesday my calf will be back to normal and by next Saturday I can run the entire 8 miles.