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.
I also run and swim, and also cramp up when swimming, especially on days when I run in the morning and swim after work.
Whenever I think I've found the solution to this, I cramp up and am back to square 1. Certainly for longer runs or swims (over an hour) you should drink something like Gatorade, and water regardless of the duration. I read somewhere that the potassium levels in a typical banana are less than a tomato, but if one works, then fine. I'll usually eat 2 bananas during the day after a run, before swimming.
For me, I get the worst cramps from pushing off the walls after a turn. Breaststroke can aggrevate it even more than free or back. I prefer long course, just for the fewer walls.
There really are so many factors that play into this, it is impossible to pinpoint which will work. And even if I've done all I can during the day, showing up to a warm pool can set off cramps anyway.
A good preventative measure I began a few months ago was leg weights. Nothing crazy, but building up my leg muscles seems to help me more than anything else.
I also run and swim, and also cramp up when swimming, especially on days when I run in the morning and swim after work.
Whenever I think I've found the solution to this, I cramp up and am back to square 1. Certainly for longer runs or swims (over an hour) you should drink something like Gatorade, and water regardless of the duration. I read somewhere that the potassium levels in a typical banana are less than a tomato, but if one works, then fine. I'll usually eat 2 bananas during the day after a run, before swimming.
For me, I get the worst cramps from pushing off the walls after a turn. Breaststroke can aggrevate it even more than free or back. I prefer long course, just for the fewer walls.
There really are so many factors that play into this, it is impossible to pinpoint which will work. And even if I've done all I can during the day, showing up to a warm pool can set off cramps anyway.
A good preventative measure I began a few months ago was leg weights. Nothing crazy, but building up my leg muscles seems to help me more than anything else.
