For the first time ever I experienced calf cramping about 3 miles into a 5 mile swim. Luckily I was in a pool. I am going to an OW 10K next weekend and am looking for some quick advice or what to do before a swim to avoid the cramps or what to do during if I (and hopefully I don't) experience them again and this time in OW.
Thanks in advance.
Sandy
I have this problem frequently and I've done some technical reading on the subject. The fact is, no one knows for sure what causes muscle cramps but the two ideas mentioned previously--hydration/electrolytes and fatigue are the leading hypotheses. There is also a third hypothesis about limited blood flow through the muscle (warm up and do gentle stretches/massage to prevent this). Of course any or all of these hypotheses may be correct for a given individual or situation.
For me, I am far more likely to get a cramp when my muscles are fatigued (i.e. at the end of my workout rather than at the beginning). You cannot stop fatigue from happening at some point, so staying hydrated and consuming more potassium (don't forget the sodium!) really won't prevent the cramps, but maybe...maybe...you can delay them. The real answer is endurance training.
I have this problem frequently and I've done some technical reading on the subject. The fact is, no one knows for sure what causes muscle cramps but the two ideas mentioned previously--hydration/electrolytes and fatigue are the leading hypotheses. There is also a third hypothesis about limited blood flow through the muscle (warm up and do gentle stretches/massage to prevent this). Of course any or all of these hypotheses may be correct for a given individual or situation.
For me, I am far more likely to get a cramp when my muscles are fatigued (i.e. at the end of my workout rather than at the beginning). You cannot stop fatigue from happening at some point, so staying hydrated and consuming more potassium (don't forget the sodium!) really won't prevent the cramps, but maybe...maybe...you can delay them. The real answer is endurance training.
