calf cramping during swim

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2009-07-16 7:27 AM

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New Haven, CT
Subject: calf cramping during swim
Having terrible issues with calf cramping.  I have tried more hydration, less hydration; more electrolytes, less electrolytes; extra streching, less stretching.  Anyone have any tricks up their compression sleeve?

2009-07-16 7:32 AM
in reply to: #2288803

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: calf cramping during swim
More swimming.

(Mine went away as I swam more.  I didn't change anything nutrition-wise).
2009-07-16 7:38 AM
in reply to: #2288803

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Veteran
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Elizabethtown, KY
Subject: RE: calf cramping during swim

Yeah, building your swimming base helps.

Things I've found:

1. I used to start cramping in my feet and calves after 3-400m.  Now I just start to cramp around 1500-2000m.  So, better base has lengthened my cramp-free time in the water.

2. How fatigued I am from training prior to the swim certainly impacts things.  All else equal, I will cramp earlier in the swim if I'm "more fatigued" from earlier, harder workouts (swim, bike, AND run).

3. For me, kicking off the wall triggers the worst cramps.  Be careful about how hard you kick of the wall later on in your sets.

2009-07-16 7:44 AM
in reply to: #2288828

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Master
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TORONTO
Subject: RE: calf cramping during swim
roch1009 - 2009-07-16 8:38 AM

Yeah, building your swimming base helps.

Things I've found:

1. I used to start cramping in my feet and calves after 3-400m.  Now I just start to cramp around 1500-2000m.  So, better base has lengthened my cramp-free time in the water.

2. How fatigued I am from training prior to the swim certainly impacts things.  All else equal, I will cramp earlier in the swim if I'm "more fatigued" from earlier, harder workouts (swim, bike, AND run).

3. For me, kicking off the wall triggers the worst cramps.  Be careful about how hard you kick of the wall later on in your sets.



Completely agree with this.  I used to - and still do sometimes - get them at the 800m mark regardless of whether it was a straight swim or drills.  I tried everything (eating bananas, drinking jugs of water etc) and for me the key was not pushing off the wall.  I just touch and turn now.  If I'm tired etc I'll still get them sometimes but not as much as I once did.
2009-07-16 7:45 AM
in reply to: #2288803

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Master
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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: calf cramping during swim
As others have said, swim more. That will help.

Also watch how much you are pushing off the walls with your toes. The more of your foot you push off with the better. I have noticed that if I push off numerous times with just my toes I can/will get cramps in my calfs, lower calfs, and arches of my feet.

Are you getting enough potassium?
2009-07-16 7:57 AM
in reply to: #2288803

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Pro
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Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: calf cramping during swim

What helped me (I still cramp if we do drills with fins):

Limit caffiene day of swim
Eat at least one banana before swim
Hydrate well with Gatorade/Powerade/WhateverAde
Don't push off hard on the walls
More swimming

Good luck

2009-07-16 8:19 AM
in reply to: #2288811

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Master
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Subject: RE: calf cramping during swim
Experior - 2009-07-16 8:32 AM More swimming.

(Mine went away as I swam more.  I didn't change anything nutrition-wise).


x2.  I had the same problem, the more I swam, the less I cramped, until it stopped.

never drank water or anything, still dont.
2009-07-16 10:29 AM
in reply to: #2288939

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New Haven, CT
Subject: RE: calf cramping during swim
Thanks all. 
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