foot cramps during swim workout - Triathlon Week

danny · 05-31-2005, 07:34 PM

Recently I was forced to move my swim workouts from the morning to the evening. It seems that I am more likely to get foot cramps when I swim in the evening, although I have no idea why. I usually crawl about 2000 yards, and I can tell I'm headed from cramps pretty early in the workout, although I can usually make at least 1500 yards before they set in. I have to back off my kick, which is, of course, annoying, and sometimes I have to finish the workout with a pull buoy. I've tried all the mineral and electrolyte supplements to no avail. Oddly, when I swim in the morning or afternoon, I don't seem to get the problem.

Can anyone explain this or give me advice on how to deal with it?

RobbyB · 06-01-2005, 07:15 AM

Make sure you're well hydrated. Drink a bottle of water about an hour before your workout, and take one into the pool to sip on. And stretch before and after. I'm a big fan of stretching.

imhooked · 07-14-2005, 10:24 PM

Danny- do you do flip turns or touch the side and push off? I find that when I'm in a pool too shallow to comfortably do flip turns (I'm not great at these turns), I often get cramps in my right foot from pushing off the side with my right foot. When I swim in open water, I don't get cramps (no pushing off the pool side). I try to switch up which foot I use to push off the side. Just something to check on.

Bucky · 07-15-2005, 04:18 PM

In a recent issue of 220 Triathlon it was suggested that you try to push off with flat feet, rather than just the ball and toes, as a means of avoiding foot cramps.

Good-luck.

danny · 07-26-2005, 06:14 PM

Since first posting this question, my pool has switched back from evening to morning hours. Miraculously with this change my foot cramps are gone. I don't know why I get them in the evening and not in the morning, but I'm happy to be back swimming laps without them. Thanks for all your suggestions.