Cramps

Bugsy2000

While I know there have been many threads on here through the years on leg cramps (most of which I have just read through) I'd be interested in getting peoples feedback on methods that have worked for them to combat calf / quad cramps.

It's something I have never had an issue with but @ mile 19 in Dublin my right calf just completely seized without warning. As I tried to stretch it out my left quad went, then the left calf, then the right quad. In the space of a minute I went from comfortably running sub 8's to lying flat on my back with a spectator trying to stretch out my legs. I lost 5 mins on mile 19 & 4 mins on mile 20. A first aider stopped me as I hobbled past the top of Roebuck and gave the legs a proper rub down (thanks again random stranger). This released them a bit and I was able to pick the pace up again but the cramps were always threatening with little spasms if I tried too hard.

It can't have been dehydration. I'm religous about pre-hydration in the days before races, in fact I'm always a big drinker of water. I took in plenty of water on the day too; took a bottle at each station & tended to carry one with me to sip on between stations.

I always increase my salt intake in the days before races and was sipping on a High 5 drink pre-race with salt tablet.

I have seen potassium & magnesium deficiencies mentioned and this is one area I'd be unsure of. I'd have a fairly decent & varied diet but who knows. (Actually thinking back, I took a Powershot Magnesium shot the night before & morning of the race)

I'd a good training base through the year & had my long runs / tempo runs etc put in prior to racing. I regularly use a foam roller & always bring it with me to races so I can use it right before the race.

I'd never raced a marathon before although I did run the Portumna 50k this year (took it nice & handy) so I'm wondering is it just the legs weren't used to the hard pace for such a distance?????

I have seen people mention calf guards but these aren't an option for me due to Compartment Syndrome. If I use compression socks / running tights or anything which put pressure / compress / constrict the lower leg my feet go completely numb & the vein on the outside of my ankle trebles in size. (Blood flow is restricted to the foot due to swelling of area around ankle - bloody sore)

DublinDilbert

It's something I've had problems with myself in a few marathons, usually around the 20 mile mark. Have always been well hydrated too, so could never figure out why It was happening.

What has worked for me in recent marathons, I took salt stick tablets from a few days before, also took Zero Tabs with water coming up to it and put 2 zero tabs in my camelbak.

MrCreosote

Bugsy2000 wrote: »

It can't have been dehydration. I'm religous about pre-hydration in the days before races, in fact I'm always a big drinker of water. I took in plenty of water on the day too; took a bottle at each station & tended to carry one with me to sip on between stations.


I'd a good training base through the year & had my long runs / tempo runs etc put in prior to racing. I regularly use a foam roller & always bring it with me to races so I can use it right before the race.

I'd never raced a marathon before although I did run the Portumna 50k this year (took it nice & handy) so I'm wondering is it just the legs weren't used to the hard pace for such a distance?????

Probably this is the reason- speaking from personal experience the best prevention for cramps for me was increased training.

Maybe you drank too much water? Prehydration doesn't work. 2 bottles per station sounds like an awful lot.

The whole salt replacement thing is not necessary during a marathon.

Clearlier

I would suggest trying drinking according to thirst both in the lead up to and during the marathon next time. Cramps have many causes but it does sound like you're (inadvertently) doing your best to create an electrolyte imbalance which is one possible cause of cramp.

The whole drink before your thirsty thing is one of the most dangerous myths to have been propogated by the drinks industry and has been indirectly responsible for 10's of deaths.

rom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97q1YCXmM9c