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?
I always find that if I try to do a kick set near the middle to end of the workout, it usually means I'll be getting out of the water within 100-200 yards later. CRAMPS, either hamstrings, calves, or arch of my foot. Once the cramps start, you're pretty much finished. I suppose if I were to drink more water (why???) on a regular basis, it would probably help a little, but water doesn't taste as good as soda.:anim_coffee:
Plus, according to the sprinter people, us middle D type folks don't need to kick anyway. We get confused if we try to count past 2 kicks per stroke cycle!!! :confused:
I always find that if I try to do a kick set near the middle to end of the workout, it usually means I'll be getting out of the water within 100-200 yards later. CRAMPS, either hamstrings, calves, or arch of my foot. Once the cramps start, you're pretty much finished. I suppose if I were to drink more water (why???) on a regular basis, it would probably help a little, but water doesn't taste as good as soda.:anim_coffee:
Plus, according to the sprinter people, us middle D type folks don't need to kick anyway. We get confused if we try to count past 2 kicks per stroke cycle!!! :confused:
