Calf Cramps While Running, Leg Cramps While Running
Have you ever had calf cramps while running?
Probably.
There are so many people who get calf cramps or leg cramps while running.
It must be one of the most common running injuries / issues we runners have to deal with.
So....
Why do we get calf cramps while running?
What action can we take when we have leg cramps?
How can we prevent these leg cramps from happening?
I am speaking from experience when I am saying that calf cramps are very annoying.
When I was a teenager I used to play on the midfield in soccer.
I loved to roam the field, running many kilometres in a game, constantly going up and down, directing the play.
But I pushed myself so hard that I would frequently end up with calf cramps.
When it also happened was when I did my first half marathon. I had not trained enough.
My longest run had been ten miles (only once) and I had not done much training in the last month.
I thought I would get by on my general fitness. I did not. Not far after the ten mile mark I was depleted and was on the verge of getting calf cramps.
Only because I slowed down to a very low speed was I able to prevent leg cramps while running, but only just....
Why Do We Get Calf Cramps While Running
Experts still aren't sure of the actual cause of running calf cramps.
However there are a number of reasons which have been identified for their possible cause.
The most plausible important and obvious factors are doing more than you can handle, dehydration and issues with nutrition.
Overdoing exerting yourself through exercise
If your legs are tired and then you stretch out your calf muscles this is when the running calf cramps can suddenly strike.
This is the way your muscles tell you : "I've had enough today pal, maybe tomorrow sure, for sure the day after tomorrow - but NOT TODAY please!"
Dehydration
The link between dehydration and calf cramps while running is blurred but the generalconsensus is that dehydration can cause calf cramps.
This also explains why runners suffer cramps during the night in bed - when the body dehydrates while sleeping.
Poor Nutrition
The crucial building blocks of a runner's diet are potassium, sodium and magnesium.
When any of these are in short supply the runner can become prone to running calf cramps.
Also this could be a contributing factor to the reason we suffer from calf cramps during the night as we don't drink liquids while sleeping.
So the above three; exertion, dehydration or poor nutrition are all possible causes for running calf cramps.
Strange indeed that there is no one clear cut reason for such a common phenomenon.
What was the reason for my leg cramps?
Over exertion was, without doubt, a huge contributing factor. I started out too fast and, with the benefit of hindsight, was badly prepared.
Another important reason for my leg cramps while running could have been dehydration.
There were water stands every five kilometres as promised but at the ten kilometre and 15 kilometre stands they were dispensing a sports drink, not water.
I had not trained using a sports drink and could not stomach it.
So there I was, running too fast for what my training could have reasonably allowed for and without water after 5k. Not my best race experience and much of it my own fault!
What Action to Take when You Get Calf Cramps While Running?
Once you feel leg cramps coming up while running, then slow down immediately. With a little bit of luck you can prevent the leg cramps from really hitting you.
If they do hit you, then believe me, you will feel it and there is just no way you will be able to continue your normal running. You simply have to stop and deal with it.
You can try to dispel the running calf cramps by massaging and stretching; keeping your heel on the ground pull up your toes and try to reach your toes with your hands - this will make your calf muscles stretch.
Massaging the painful muscles can help "calm them down" and remove some of the waste products in your muscles.
How to Prevent Leg Cramps While Running?
As I previously mentioned, the experts have no unique cause that explains leg cramps while running, so it is difficult to give the exact remedy.
Make sure you tick the boxes on the three mentioned possible reasons: make sure your diet is right, you are well hydrated and you have prepared better for your race than I did those many years ago!!
Happy these are in order and you are regularly experiencing calf cramps regardless?
Then pay your doctor a visit.
Your body may suffer from some deficiency and your doctor may be able to work out what's going on with help of blood tests.
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So....
Experts still aren't sure of the actual cause of running calf cramps.
