Calf cramping help

[Heazgoody]

About a week ago my left calf started cramping and I ignored it and kept training. I know! Naughty me. Well Thursday night it seized up so bad I about fell off my bike. I finally got the hint and took a rest day yesterday, however I still have cramping. My calf feels like it is in a constant state of a mild cramp and is even starting to affect my left foot. Any suggestions on how to treat this? I don't think I can ride like this!

[makbike]

Maybe this article will help.

http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine011611.html

I have found taking a calcium/magnesium supplement on a daily basis is a huge help.

[zoom-zoom]

Maybe this article will help.

http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine011611.html

I have found taking a calcium/magnesium supplement on a daily basis is a huge help.

That's very interesting. It's severe calf cramps that led me to give up on marathons after 3 tries....I developed bad cramps during all 3 by the 21-22 mile marker. Didn't matter my training or electrolyte intake.

Though I am a seriously heavy sweater and people have commented on the degree of white salt rings on my cycling clothes during long, hot rides...so part of me wonders if I could be one of those people who does have issues from sweat volume.

[nscrbug]

I've been having the exact same issue...only mine is affecting my right calf. But yeah, feels like it's in a constant state of contraction all the time. Mine started during a run about 3 weeks ago, and has been intermittent ever since. Somedays it's horrible and hurts just walking...other days it's not bad at all and I barely notice it. I've been foam rolling it, which helps a little bit. And I've been taking Cal/Mag/Vit. D supplements for years, so I've got that covered. But I noticed the biggest improvement when I bought a compression calf sleeve at my LRS and started wearing it during my runs and immediately after. I've even slept with it on a few nights and in the morning, my calf feels fresh and ready to go. I haven't had a single "seize up" during a run or ride since I started wearing it. The store I went to had 2 different brands - Zensah and CW-X. I ended up going with the CW-X one, only because I already own a few other CW-X items. They come in a pair, and were about $40. Might be something worth considering.

[Heazgoody]

Thank you! I'm heading to the store right now

[OakLeaf]

+1 on magnesium. I make sure to have some along DURING long rides and runs - in the form of Endurolytes or Zenergize, usually. I had enough experience on the bike before I started distance running, that I never even attempted anything over about 15-18 miles without Endurolytes.

Fit can be an issue too. I had terrible cramps in both my calves and tibiales anteriores when my saddle was too far forward. (I put it there before I knew any better because some guy thought it would help me sit farther back on the saddle - which was just too wedge-shaped for me.)


PS - calcium and magnesium ARE electrolytes.

[jessmarimba]

Thanks for the article. I've been having problems with my feet cramping, which I think is related to the posterior tibial tendonitis I've been dealing with. But I'm also one of those super-salty-sweat people.

[zoom-zoom]

Foot cramping could also be shoes that are too narrow...ask me how I know this...

[jessmarimba]

Haha, true. I should have specified - it's happening mostly during pilates but occasionally when I try to kick my covers around at night. No shoes

Plus I don't think I've ever in my life seen shoes that are too narrow for me

[zoom-zoom]

Plus I don't think I've ever in my life seen shoes that are too narrow for me

Ha, I have the opposite problem...now that I have men's D-width shoes I wonder how I tolerated women's B-width Sidis for so long. I no longer think about my feet on rides, which is beautiful!

[marni]

I also tend to cramp after exercise periodically and it almost always because I haven't been taking my endurolytes (magnesium) or eating enough bananas. Since I have been taking my minerals and make a point of having a greek yogurt, banana and some milk every other day or so.

Maybe a daily banana would help?

marni