Cramp!

[Dagwood]

I used to succumb to cramp quite badly in my calf muscle, then I tried running wearing Skins compression socks which helped, and I've also started drinking a pint of water with a Nuun tablet in it before any race - not suffered since then, not even in Sunday's boiling hot Brighton Marathon )

Thanks for that advice - I'll try the drink thing on my next long run

[hopey]

I'm getting cramp in my calf a lot just lately, i'm ok climbing and descending -it always starts on the flat and I have to stop every few hundred yards and stretch it for a few seconds to keep going . Anyone got any remedies ? Its spoiling my runs...

Could be to do with the warmer weather?
I also suffer from cramp when i hit the flat on a race, I know use the a hydration drink from boots, which you use when you've had the runs as mentioned on this forum some time ago, if i take this the night before and the morning off a race.

[woodlander]

A dissolved magnesium powder, such as Magnasolv, is pretty good against cramp, especially before going to bed after a long run in the hills. Problem is, I often forget and wake up at 3am - calf muscles seized-up in agony!

[Brotherton Lad]

Last time after my calf had totally locked up I ate a meal with quite a lot of salt in it, which seemed to help. But we are told not to use a lot of salt aren't we...

You shouldn't take too much salt (easily done if you use alot of processed food) but it's an essential part of the diet. Roman soldiers were paid in salt, hence salary. You've got to have the right amount. Same with fat. I fear alot of people don't take enough of either. It's especially important if you do hard physical work.

[lantern rouge]

I used to succumb to cramp quite badly in my calf muscle, then I tried running wearing Skins compression socks which helped, and I've also started drinking a pint of water with a Nuun tablet in it before any race - not suffered since then, not even in Sunday's boiling hot Brighton Marathon )

I'll second that.

Used to have trouble but with the use of Nuun if I'm doing more than a couple of hours, then the only suggestion of cramp is the odd twitch... not had a full blown cramp since taking them.

Good luck.

[Dagwood]

Thanks everyone - a lot of good info here.

[Brummy John]

Worth having some ibuprofen gel with you in case the cramp strikes on a long race. Works really well on leg muscles.

Funny how running means you have to do the opposite of the normal advice of avoiding sugary drinks and salt.

[Will.Race]

Done 3 races this year. 1 road marathon, 1 off road marathon ( not a mountain one ) and the Hope Moors and Tors 20 fell race Sunday.

All 3 I've had really bad cramp in the last few miles. I reckon its cost me 20-30 minutes each race

I've run all 3 carrying energy drinks and top up at water stations so I think I get enough fluid on board.

I generally train 3 or 4 times a week including long runs a half hours. Amthinking maybe thats not enough ?

I do tend to get a bit ambitous and start to quick in races so I may have answered my own question there.

Any suggestions ?

[bigfella]

Do races a couple of miles shorter and you'll be fine.

Seriously I used to suffer terribly from cramp on the longer stuff. Not sure what the answer is although I've certainly got older and slower but I have started eating a lot more and earlier as well as trying to drink plenty on the longer runs. Never tried energy drink or gels so don't know how effective these are. Some seem to swear by Nunn tablets take a look at this thread http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...highlight=Nunn

[Will.Race]

Do races a couple of miles shorter and you'll be fine.

Seriously I used to suffer terribly from cramp on the longer stuff. Not sure what the answer is although I've certainly got older and slower but I have started eating a lot more and earlier as well as trying to drink plenty on the longer runs. Never tried energy drink or gels so don't know how effective these are. Some seem to swear by Nunn tablets take a look at this thread http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...highlight=Nunn

Thanks. Have looked at the thread about the nuun tablets. Might look into those.

I think its probably down to simply not quite enough training. A few more 4 hour treks over Kinder should strengthen the legs for next season.