Foot Cramp While Swimming - Triathlon Week

10-11-2004, 04:52 AM

Luckily I was in a pool when my foot cramped up and seemed to become a
twisted, painful club in the water. I neither know what made my foot
cramp up like that, nor what I would have done about it had I been in
the middle of a lake.

Has anyone else run into this problem? If so, what do you usually do
about it?

Thanks,

j

10-11-2004, 09:15 AM

I have also felt this, usually towards the end of a long pool session,
brought on by strong pushes off the wall. I try to treat this as if I was
in OW and grabbing a wall or lane line wasn't an option. I revert to a pull
stroke, or breast stroke and try and stretch the foot, even a backstroke if
needed. It usually goes away in a lap or two if I stop pushing off the wall
with the affected foot. Fortunately I have never felt this in OW and
attribute it to the push off.

"j" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:6ae6f552.0410110352.4280b6a3@posting.google.c om...
> Luckily I was in a pool when my foot cramped up and seemed to become a
> twisted, painful club in the water. I neither know what made my foot
> cramp up like that, nor what I would have done about it had I been in
> the middle of a lake.
>
> Has anyone else run into this problem? If so, what do you usually do
> about it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> j

10-11-2004, 04:03 PM

Couldn't have said it better...AJ is right on target with this one.
"A. J." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> I have also felt this, usually towards the end of a long pool session,
> brought on by strong pushes off the wall. I try to treat this as if I was
> in OW and grabbing a wall or lane line wasn't an option. I revert to a
pull
> stroke, or breast stroke and try and stretch the foot, even a backstroke
if
> needed. It usually goes away in a lap or two if I stop pushing off the
wall
> with the affected foot. Fortunately I have never felt this in OW and
> attribute it to the push off.
>
> "j" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:6ae6f552.0410110352.4280b6a3@posting.google.c om...
> > Luckily I was in a pool when my foot cramped up and seemed to become a
> > twisted, painful club in the water. I neither know what made my foot
> > cramp up like that, nor what I would have done about it had I been in
> > the middle of a lake.
> >
> > Has anyone else run into this problem? If so, what do you usually do
> > about it?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > j
>
>

10-11-2004, 06:14 PM

Like the others, I get it too, often from pushing off the wall. Also I
always swim with a pool buoy: I think squeezing my legs to hold onto the
float makes my legs stiffen and adds to the foot cramping
Eric

10-12-2004, 12:04 AM

"j" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:6ae6f552.0410110352.4280b6a3@posting.google.c om...
> Luckily I was in a pool when my foot cramped up and seemed to become a
> twisted, painful club in the water. I neither know what made my foot
> cramp up like that, nor what I would have done about it had I been in
> the middle of a lake.
>
> Has anyone else run into this problem?

Yes! Very often, for example if I run at noon and swim in the evening.

> If so, what do you usually do about it?

Just try to relax your legs and your foot. The cramp will stay for a few
seconds and disappear.
When the cramp comes, it seems it's going to be terribly painfull, but if
you can relax and keep on moving your legs as smoothly as possible the cramp
will go away as quick as it came.
Try to stretch your feet as much as possible when you push off the wall it
will help relaxing the muscles in your feet.

Nicolas.

10-18-2004, 11:46 AM

For a while, I was getting foot cramps regularly while swimming. I think
the advice from others has been good on what to do about the cramps if they
come on.
As far as how to reduce their frequency, I did two things and they
completely went away: Made sure I was well hydrated before swims and ate
one banana per day. Dehydration is one possible cause, electrolyte
imbalance is another. So, it makes sense that water and a banana (or
something else that provides the potassium) would help. A third cause is
fatigue and this will improve with consistent swim training over at least
several weeks.
-kevin
"j" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:6ae6f552.0410110352.4280b6a3@posting.google.c om...
> Luckily I was in a pool when my foot cramped up and seemed to become a
> twisted, painful club in the water. I neither know what made my foot
> cramp up like that, nor what I would have done about it had I been in
> the middle of a lake.
>
> Has anyone else run into this problem? If so, what do you usually do
> about it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> j