How to get Rid of These Incessant Calf Cramps...

ABCE

I'm 15 years old and every Friday we go running out in the forest for about an hour. It mainly consists of just jogging at a quick enough pace(after a few minutes of stretching of course) with small 1 minute breaks in between. Towards the end of the run, we have a 200m race where we start with a quick jog and build up into a full on sprint towards the end( we'd be tired by then so a lot just keep a steady pace). However, every single time, at exactly that part of our jog, I feel a cramp form at my calves and once that happens I'd end up just walking back behind the others. I don't know what exactly a "severe" cramp is but my ones are usually quite painful, the short term after effects even worse.
Though we have quite a small group, no one else seems to get these calf cramps.What could be the reason? I'm usually hydrated beforehand so it's most likely not to do with dehydration.
I'm thinking is has something to do with increasing my speed significantly towards the end of the race, or maybe something do with the way my foot strikes the ground?
Also,what should I do when I get them? My natural instinct is to grab my toes and pull as hard as I can towards my knee to stretch out my calf muscle. Is just letting it take its toll on me helpful? It's real painful, but if the pain will stop after a few seconds(with me doing nothing), I'd be sure to try it.
Any kind of advice would be appreciated!!

qt3.14

Could be a bunch of things. You'll just have to work through them to try and eliminate causes.
First up, eat a banana an hour ahead of your next run, could be low blood potassium level.

easygoing1982

If you've stretched and stretched and stretched it again every day at every opportunity you get, maybe try a foam roller. There could be a knot there that's just getting aggregated when your foot turns at a certain angle. Also make sure your adequately warmed up before your run.

If that doesn't work maybe it's time to go to a sports injury therapist/physio to get them rubbed out. This can be very painful but worth it.

If they can't find anything wrong maybe go to your GP. You may be lacking some mineral in your blood.

With regards to when you get the cramps it would be more beneficial if you could get a friend to stretch out your leg in the same way you describe yourself as doing it. You could also try driving your thumb/finger into the middle of the knot when it's cramping.

Good luck

ABCE

Thanks guys! I guess I'm gonna just have to enjure through the pain for the time being and lessen the chances of it happenening again..

Mr. CooL ICE

qt3.14 wrote: »

Could be a bunch of things. You'll just have to work through them to try and eliminate causes.
First up, eat a banana an hour ahead of your next run, could be low blood potassium level.

I'd second this. An isotonic drink of some sorts might also help.

nice_guy80

stretch on a step, far more effective. use your bodyweight as the resistance.
you might have a calf injury that keeps flaring up each time you run, go see a physio.
foam rolling done every day with a long static stretch afterwards will help you.

realise that a lot of calf tightness can come from the bigger muscles - hamstrings and glutes. So you need to foam roll all lower muscles and stretch.
any ankle tightness or foot muscle tightness can also cause issues.

Michael8000

Try Zero tablets. They are used by the top triathletes and cyclists.

http://highfive.co.uk/product/hydrate/zero

Available in most cycling shops.

househero

Potassium... Bananas. Sorted. Do you stretch?

_Tombstone_

Did any of ye actually fix calf cramps doing any of the above??

easygoing1982

i did yes