General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Cramp during swim? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2013-03-01 6:09 PM

User image

Member
22

Subject: Cramp during swim?

IMKY, is my first IM. My swimming is coming along and I'm upto 2500m on my long swim. My problem is, several times at around the 1500m I get cramp in my right calf. Any suggestions on something I should eat prior to the swim or what I may do to help prevent the cramp.

Does anyone eat anything prior to a IM swim?

Thanks



2013-03-01 8:35 PM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Member
321
100100100
Spokane
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
No answer for you but i also get cramps while swimming, mine occur on the bottom of my feet though.
2013-03-02 8:53 AM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Veteran
486
100100100100252525
Newcastle, England
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
Try having a banana before your swim and make sure you are hydrated
2013-03-02 9:44 AM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Extreme Veteran
1986
1000500100100100100252525
Cypress, TX
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
pfd104 - 2013-03-01 6:09 PM

IMKY, is my first IM. My swimming is coming along and I'm upto 2500m on my long swim. My problem is, several times at around the 1500m I get cramp in my right calf. Any suggestions on something I should eat prior to the swim or what I may do to help prevent the cramp.

Does anyone eat anything prior to a IM swim?

Thanks

I doubt it's a food/electrolyte/hydration problem.  That's sort of a wives tale when it comes to calf cramps in swimming.

Flex the foot up when you feel the cramp coming.  By that I mean to flex your toes up towards your shin (which will be the opposite of the toes pointed out position your foot will probably be in while swimming).

2013-03-02 12:56 PM
in reply to: #4643324

User image

Veteran
513
500
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
GMAN 19030 - 2013-03-02 7:44 AM
pfd104 - 2013-03-01 6:09 PM

IMKY, is my first IM. My swimming is coming along and I'm upto 2500m on my long swim. My problem is, several times at around the 1500m I get cramp in my right calf. Any suggestions on something I should eat prior to the swim or what I may do to help prevent the cramp.

Does anyone eat anything prior to a IM swim?

Thanks

I doubt it's a food/electrolyte/hydration problem.  That's sort of a wives tale when it comes to calf cramps in swimming.

Flex the foot up when you feel the cramp coming.  By that I mean to flex your toes up towards your shin (which will be the opposite of the toes pointed out position your foot will probably be in while swimming).

x2 - I also have problems with calf and foot cramps.  I tried bananas and drinking Gatorade all day - even tried Tonic water (the quinine is supposed to help).

Nothing really helped until I read a thread where someone mentioned flexing your toes up every so often. As soon as I start to feel the slightest twinge, I flex the toes and stretch the calf for a few seconds and it goes away.  During a long workout, I'll try to flex both legs about every ten minutes just to ward it off.  Seems to be working great for the calf cramps... now if I could just solve the foot cramps!

2013-03-02 5:58 PM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Regular
789
500100100252525
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?

I cramp up in the calves and arches of my feet too. I try to flex my toes up sometimes but it doesn't seem to help myself. I am thinking for myself though that since I do my swims at lunch and my other workout first thing in the morning that there is fatigue from the workout in the morning as I tend to not cramp when I do a swim first vs. second.

Hydrate, eat a banana, some yogurt or drink some milk as well.



2013-03-04 7:54 AM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Middle Georgia
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
i too have foot & calf cramps.  calves often after a wall push off, sole of feet sometimes random.  good to hear the proposed strategies put forth.  
2013-03-04 6:28 PM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Pro
3883
20001000500100100100252525
Woodstock,GA
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
You cramps are most likely not a result of dehydration or low electrolyte level but rather a function of how your ankle (and foot) flexes during your kick. If you are a new swimmer (and it sounds like you are from your post) then your kick is most likely woefully inefficient (and that is ok, you can work on it). My advice is work on your range of motion in your ankles and get a swim lesson with a good coach that can show you proper tecnique (both kicking and general swim stroke).
2013-03-12 9:22 PM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Veteran
335
10010010025
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?

This Fourm is awesome!!!

Did my first 30min no stop DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT swim and near the very end felt the "bottom of my foot cramp" you speak of.

I will try the toe flex and let you know how it works for me THANKS...

2013-03-13 6:32 AM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Expert
1360
10001001001002525
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
do you get the cramp when you push off from the wall?  that isusually when mine cramps (or when doing a hard kick set with fins).  If it is from pushing off the wall, try not to push so agressively.  you won't have to worry about this kind of cramping on race day.
2013-04-05 5:37 PM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Regular
87
252525
Santa Clara, UT
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?

I used to get cramping in my calves during the swim - particularly in a race.  I tried everything from stretching more diligently to compression sleeves.  But the best advice I got was from a BT member who told me he had the same problem and it was from overkicking.....from pointing my toes to hard during the kick.  So I have learned to relax my feet and let them flop as I kick....I worry less about my time in the swim and more about avoiding cramping.  I do a lot training using the pull bouy so I get used to my feel just hanging there....floating.  I make a conscious effort to focus on feeling my feel flap in the water loosly rather than being rigid and tight.  It has totally changed my results.  And by focusing less on my swim time and more on being relaxed in the swim I actually enjoy the swim SO MUCH MORE. Hope that helps.

And I have never had a cramp since!



2013-04-05 9:57 PM
in reply to: #4642822

User image

Member
107
100
Middle Tennessee
Subject: RE: Cramp during swim?
I agree wholeheartedly with the "loose floppy feet advise". Also try stretching your ankles prior to swimming. I like the sit with your feet under your butt and bend backward stretch. This gets your ankles and your anterior tibialis (shin muscles). And try concentrate on kicking from the hips. I found during kicking sets with fins if I let my concentration lapse and don't kick from the hips, my calves fatigue quicker and I get calf cramps. Hope this helps!
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Cramp during swim? Rss Feed