Maybe it's the cold water, and blood gets shunted away from the extremities. But I have been getting toe cramps when I first start warming up.
By the end of the first main set, the lower calves get involved--twitching and borderline charlie horsing around.
Sometimes, if I am racing a teammate in different sets, I have to kick with my feet at right angles to my lower legs to keep the cramps from seizing me up completely.
Any tips for cramp prevention? forums.usms.org/.../banana.gif
:banana:
Oh, please don't suggest eating more bananas unless this really does work.
Parents
Former Member
Jim -
Drink more clear, non-caffinated liquids. (Water is excellent!) As silly as this sounds, swimming (especially in winter) is alot more dehydrating than people think. Not only are you sweating, but you are doing alot of air exchange with the lungs in a dry season.
If I am not up on my water intake, I will definately cramp up, especially in speed sets.
I try to hydrate an hour before swimming and sip a mouthful every 2 or 3 rests (so I don't bloat or get pukey). I still got a cramplast night but it was after 1000 yards or so and I rested and stretched it out between my reps. It was OK. Calf massage is good for cramps and easing sciatica too--well for me anyhow.
You do sweat a lot with swimming. I always hate how you can shower quickly dry off and then put your shirt on again only to find it becomes sodden with sweat. I tend to sweat for quite a while post swim...as the hydrocooling of the pool is no longer available to my body hehehe
Jim -
Drink more clear, non-caffinated liquids. (Water is excellent!) As silly as this sounds, swimming (especially in winter) is alot more dehydrating than people think. Not only are you sweating, but you are doing alot of air exchange with the lungs in a dry season.
If I am not up on my water intake, I will definately cramp up, especially in speed sets.
I try to hydrate an hour before swimming and sip a mouthful every 2 or 3 rests (so I don't bloat or get pukey). I still got a cramplast night but it was after 1000 yards or so and I rested and stretched it out between my reps. It was OK. Calf massage is good for cramps and easing sciatica too--well for me anyhow.
You do sweat a lot with swimming. I always hate how you can shower quickly dry off and then put your shirt on again only to find it becomes sodden with sweat. I tend to sweat for quite a while post swim...as the hydrocooling of the pool is no longer available to my body hehehe
