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 agree w/Gigi. Last year when I started it lasted 1-2mos and then disappeared for good.
That would be an easy solution, but doesn't work for me. I workout year-round, so don't begin or end a season, and my cramps don't discriminate in when they'll visit. Could happen to me in June or January.
so, last night I took some of the advice you guys gave me and swam 46 cramp-free laps I put my water bottle at the end of the pool and took a couple hits off of it every 10 laps, seemed to work really well.
Thanks,
:bliss:
Try either eating a banana or taking a potassium supplement.
I used to get cramps all the time in preseason soccer and swimming. Also after 400's in track. Taking in more potassium has literally rid me of cramps. I forgot to take some before my first swim practice last fall and got two cramps in my calves so bad I couldn't get out of the pool.
Try it. It really does work. I've told friends about it and it has helped them.
As a long-time runner, I did get cramps from pushing off walls while swimming. The explosive move triggered the spasms, I believe. Over time, the cramps went away except at certain times when I doubled workouts (e.g. run/swim or bike/swim). So I agree with Steve that cramps are endurance and muscle related.
Anecdotal stories claim that cramps are cured by hydration or electrolytes or some other nutrient. And if that works go for it. What I don't understand about these theories is this: if the body is lacking something that causes cramps, why do the cramps occur only in the calves, for example, and not every muscle in the entire body?
Lots of theories but little science. However, try this site for an analysis from a scientific viewpoint:
www.sportsscientists.com/.../featured-series-on-science-of-sport.html
Scroll down to the series of articles on Muscle Cramps or see this summary:
Regular stretching will help reduce the incidence of your cramps. This is because, as we explained in Part III, stretching will reduce the alpha motor neurone activity, and thus reduce muscle contraction---which is all a cramp is anyway, an uncontrolled contraction. Therefore stretching often is recommended especially if you know you are a cramper.
"I swallow an electrolyte pill and my cramping stops." This is a comment we hear often, and although we cannot explain this physiologically, the more important message is that you have found something that works for you. We cannot stress how important this is! All the science in the world can point to something, but if what you are doing works for you, then you are better to stick with that technique. We invest so much time and energy (i.e. blood, sweat and tears!) into our training, and if you know that taking some supplement---providing it is legal, of course---will prevent a cramp during your marathon, then by all means you must take it.
