My aching foot!

[AuntieK]

I figure the best place to get a swimming question answered would be here on the tri board, so here goes:
I've just started learning to swim (really swim, not just spash around with my head above the water). I can only seem to go for about 30 min. before the arch in my foot starts cramping. I suppose it's from having my foot in a pointed position while I'm kicking because when I flatten out my foot it stops. But who can kick flat footed?
Anyone else experience this? What can I do to avoid this?
I thought maybe I wasn't getting enough electrolites, but I drank 24 oz. of Gatorade before swimming today and it still happened.

[KSH]

I have had this issue too swimming.

It usually happens when I ride and then I hop in for a swim.

Someone told me it's because I am pointing my foot TOO MUCH... I'm too tense. So, you might want to think about not pointing your foot as much... but not flatten the foot out.

It sort of worked for me.

Good luck!

[Tri Girl]

I notice that sometimes that happens to me, too. Lately I've been doing arch stretches that seem to help. I roll the arch of my foot on a tennis ball and that really stretches it out, also I make sure to stretch my feet/calves/quads/hammys really well before swimming to make sure I'm limber.

I also point my toes too much- something I have to concentrate on.

Good luck!

[AuntieK]

Thanks for your responses, KSH and Tri Girl!

KSH-I did ride before I swam, and I probably am too tense. I'll try to learn to relax and point my toes less, but I don't think I can give up my pre-swim ride.

Tri Girl-The tennis ball trick sounds great. I'm going to look for a tennis ball right now!

[CorsairMac]

Don't think of it as pointing your toes as much as just letting your foot flop. (does that make sense?) When I swam on the team we were always told by our coach (who studied under Doc Councilman) to let the foot find it's own position. instead of making it do something we "think" it should.

[triflor]

I agree with CorsairMac. In fact I don't even kick really, more just let me legs act like balances. If I kick or get tense I get the foot cramps, which if I don't get rid of right away will turn into calf cramps before the end of my swim. Because triathletes spend most of their time in two sports where the foot isn't relaxed and rarely points swimming is foreign to the feet. Make sure you stretch those feet, and also point and flatten them along with your stretching