i thought i'd have a right good workout tonight,did freestyle and breastroke alternately 50's but after 750metres of not too fast a swim my calf muscles started to twinge/cramp up,cos i've had this before i eased off and just did breastroke for another1500metres by this time it had gone,so i returnes to alternate freestyle then breastroke every 25 for the last 750 this with occasional rest was ok...i've always thought it was lack of salt but whats the deal with cramps cos it really bugs me ,but not all the time?
Hydration...lots of it, and all day long. I used to cramp like crazy, especially when I first joined up with my age group club team (now @ 35 yrs.) Just the increase in double the yardage, and quadruple the intensity did it for me, as well as the intense amount of kicking. It took me well over a month for my body to adjust to the increased workload, even with lots of hydration, but you must. They will go away eventually, but it will take time. Now I find I'm only cramping if I don't drink enough water at work during the day...good thing water is the #1 ingredient in soda pop!! :)
Flex your toes when you get a cramp, V8 juice, and if by any chance you are taking a Beta Blocker check with your doctor before taking Quinine.
Hydration...lots of it, and all day long. I used to cramp like crazy, especially when I first joined up with my age group club team (now @ 35 yrs.) Just the increase in double the yardage, and quadruple the intensity did it for me, as well as the intense amount of kicking. It took me well over a month for my body to adjust to the increased workload, even with lots of hydration, but you must. They will go away eventually, but it will take time. Now I find I'm only cramping if I don't drink enough water at work during the day...good thing water is the #1 ingredient in soda pop!! :)
Flex your toes when you get a cramp, V8 juice, and if by any chance you are taking a Beta Blocker check with your doctor before taking Quinine.
