leg cramps in high intensity intervals

I am getting quad cramps toward the end of interval workouts. I don't seem to get them as much in distance work. One of my favorite workouts is 25 x 66 yds on 2 minutes. The first ten are usually 50 sec and then I slow to 55. I start cramping on the 20th rep. It happens on push off when the quads want to lock up and also the calfs a bit less. It ends up ending my workout. I notice that if I extend the rest interval longer (because I am talking to someone....or just plain stalling), it brings on the cramping earlier and worse. Is a minute rest a no no? Should I lessen the intensity and reduce rest for this workout? Yes I eat bannanas and drink plenty. Why the legs and not the upper body muscles?? When I used to run intervals sometimes I would get chest cramping of all the places, but never the legs!! how ironic. posted by rtodd I used to get cramps like that fairly often too...and foot cramps with the toes all cringed up...ouch!.....your cramps sound very unpleasant and bring back some very painful memories. In addition to the bannanas and water, Are you sure you are doing enough stretching before and after practice? Are you doing enough warmup before the main set? I also noticed that the cramps will almost always hit right after the pushoffs as you said. Maybe if you did some light kicking to warm your legs up more before the main set, and/or some light squats in the weight room beforeworkout that might also help? I wish you the best of luck with it though! Newmastersswimmer

I am getting quad cramps toward the end of interval workouts. I don't seem to get them as much in distance work. One of my favorite workouts is 25 x 66 yds on 2 minutes. The first ten are usually 50 sec and then I slow to 55. I start cramping on the 20th rep. It happens on push off when the quads want to lock up and also the calfs a bit less. It ends up ending my workout. I notice that if I extend the rest interval longer (because I am talking to someone....or just plain stalling), it brings on the cramping earlier and worse. Is a minute rest a no no? Should I lessen the intensity and reduce rest for this workout? Yes I eat bannanas and drink plenty. Why the legs and not the upper body muscles?? When I used to run intervals sometimes I would get chest cramping of all the places, but never the legs!! how ironic. posted by rtodd I used to get cramps like that fairly often too...and foot cramps with the toes all cringed up...ouch!.....your cramps sound very unpleasant and bring back some very painful memories. In addition to the bannanas and water, Are you sure you are doing enough stretching before and after practice? Are you doing enough warmup before the main set? I also noticed that the cramps will almost always hit right after the pushoffs as you said. Maybe if you did some light kicking to warm your legs up more before the main set, and/or some light squats in the weight room beforeworkout that might also help? I wish you the best of luck with it though! Newmastersswimmer