Think I've managed to get back in the water once again this summer, open water only. I've run into the same problem again this year that I had a couple years back. Cramping, only when I kick.
Normally for me most of the time my feet are 'flailing' in the water. Not doing anything real useful unless I think about it and really try to keep them spread apart so I can kick. Once I do this and start kicking about 10 seconds later my calves start cramping up. I stop kicking and get the cramping to go away and I can continue on swimming like normal, flailing. If I try to kick again, the cramping comes right back once again.
I normally eat 2 bananas each day for lunch and drink a gallon or more of water a day so I know dehydration shouldn't be an issue and lack of potassuim(sp?) shouldn't really be much of an issue either.
I can get the cramping at the beginning of a swim or after doing a couple of miles. The only trigger that always seems to hold consistent is I will start cramping once I start kicking.
Any suggestions on how I might get rid of the cramping but still be able to kick?
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Former Member
I don't think I suffer from the exact same symptoms, but I am intrigued by the topic of "kicking and cramping".
I eat one banana a day, I have circulation issues and a blown out knee and generally weak legs. Kicking is the one thing that didn't come back like riding a bike as a 40 year old masters swimmer.
For me it usually kicks in around 2000 yards. Cardiovascular wise, I am fine but I never know when those damn cramps are going to kick in.
Kick sets are extremely frustrating and I feel as if I get negative returns from them. As in they hurt so bad and only make me more sore and seem to accelerate the onset of problems.
As such, I have an on and off relationship with using a kickboard at all. 75% of the time and right now I have given it up completely because I feel it is to my benefit overall (I never feel any benefit from kicking - just pain). Yet it is my greatest weakness that maybe should be attacked.
Maybe someone has the magic bullet, but I am afraid we might just be anatomically hosed.
I don't think I suffer from the exact same symptoms, but I am intrigued by the topic of "kicking and cramping".
I eat one banana a day, I have circulation issues and a blown out knee and generally weak legs. Kicking is the one thing that didn't come back like riding a bike as a 40 year old masters swimmer.
For me it usually kicks in around 2000 yards. Cardiovascular wise, I am fine but I never know when those damn cramps are going to kick in.
Kick sets are extremely frustrating and I feel as if I get negative returns from them. As in they hurt so bad and only make me more sore and seem to accelerate the onset of problems.
As such, I have an on and off relationship with using a kickboard at all. 75% of the time and right now I have given it up completely because I feel it is to my benefit overall (I never feel any benefit from kicking - just pain). Yet it is my greatest weakness that maybe should be attacked.
Maybe someone has the magic bullet, but I am afraid we might just be anatomically hosed.
