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?
Do you kick more from the knee, from the hip, or use both? Do you flex the ankle at all and/or keep it loose to allow the foot to act more as a flipper? Have you tried using an easy kick with fins? Do you stretch the legs out as much as you do your upper body and arms?
What's important, as much as the nutritional advice already given, is to use the entire set of leg muscles from the gluts to the toes. If you are too focussed in one area, or are too stiff in the legs, cramps will be more likely.
Do you kick more from the knee, from the hip, or use both? Do you flex the ankle at all and/or keep it loose to allow the foot to act more as a flipper? Have you tried using an easy kick with fins? Do you stretch the legs out as much as you do your upper body and arms?
What's important, as much as the nutritional advice already given, is to use the entire set of leg muscles from the gluts to the toes. If you are too focussed in one area, or are too stiff in the legs, cramps will be more likely.
