In 2 weeks of regular swimming (2-3x weekly), I've gotten myself to over a half mile already. My speed has increased noticeably. From a tip I already picked up out here, my freestyle form is much more rythmic, and my *** stroke has is starting to take on the early signs of a butterfly.
But I've been having some really nasty cramping issues in my calves. I mean horrific pain and knotting.
What's a good way to combat that? Is it the water temperture that causes it? (the pool I swim in will never be mistaken for a jacuzzi)
Any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated.
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Former Member
But I've been having some really nasty cramping issues in my calves. I mean horrific pain and knotting.
What's a good way to combat that? Is it the water temperture that causes it? (the pool I swim in will never be mistaken for a jacuzzi)
Any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated.
I used to have your same problem and I couldn't figure it out, so I kept training through it. What I have learned about my physique is the following.
I need to eat and hydrate properly before swimming. If my urine is not clear before I swim, I expect cramping. This resolves 80% of my cramping issues. Hydrating means more than just water to me. I drink gatorade, powerade, or heed, whatever I have access to at the time.
I need to stretch my calves and feet. I do this by standing on stairs, one leg at a time. If I run the day before, I stretch more. If I cramp during swims, I stretch on the wall.
The more I swim (days, weeks, months, ect), the more I train my body for swimming. Since you are getting back into it, it will take some time for your body to adjust.
If you swim through a calf cramp, expect major calf pain 1, 2, 3 days later.
Good luck!
But I've been having some really nasty cramping issues in my calves. I mean horrific pain and knotting.
What's a good way to combat that? Is it the water temperture that causes it? (the pool I swim in will never be mistaken for a jacuzzi)
Any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated.
I used to have your same problem and I couldn't figure it out, so I kept training through it. What I have learned about my physique is the following.
I need to eat and hydrate properly before swimming. If my urine is not clear before I swim, I expect cramping. This resolves 80% of my cramping issues. Hydrating means more than just water to me. I drink gatorade, powerade, or heed, whatever I have access to at the time.
I need to stretch my calves and feet. I do this by standing on stairs, one leg at a time. If I run the day before, I stretch more. If I cramp during swims, I stretch on the wall.
The more I swim (days, weeks, months, ect), the more I train my body for swimming. Since you are getting back into it, it will take some time for your body to adjust.
If you swim through a calf cramp, expect major calf pain 1, 2, 3 days later.
Good luck!
