[runxc09]

I went to masters swim tonight and we were in the middle of a 20 minute continuous swim when the bottoms of my feet completely cramped up. It hurt for a few laps, then it would stop, then the pain would come back. Even now if I wiggle my toes, my arches still hurt.<br><br>
Anyone else have this problem or know what I'm doing wrong??<img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif">

 

[MBannon]

Very common problem. Some folks will tell you it's a hydration issue, others will say electrolytes. For me it's neither of those, it's tight calves. I have to especially avoid swimming after a long run - that guarantees horrendous arch cramps in the pool.<br><br>
edit - When it happens, stop and stretch your calf by putting your foot against the pool wall with your heel on the bottom, then stretch. That should give you a few more laps before you have to repeat.

 

[RunningForT3]

OK... good thing you brought this up.<br>
It happened to my at my first Oly. It was horrible. So what do you do if your soles cramp up in the middle of a lake?

 

[MBannon]

Well, I can tell you what I do, though I'd love to hear if anyone (like swimmerbee??) has better suggestions. All I do is pull the front of my foot back as far as possible, stretching the calf as best I can while continuing to swim. It definitely compromises my swim speed for a minute, but at least I'm still moving.

 

[Cashmason]

Yep happens to me every so often. Not sure what caused it, but i do try to stretch it out on the side of the pool. Middle of the lake or ocean would down right suckify.

 

[muzicgrl]

I had that problem, but as with my calf cramping issues it went away when I started taking magnesium and I havent had a problem since. Wearing fins made it much worse, by the way.

 

[Tithers]

My sports chiro told me it was b/c I have fallen arches...when you stand on fallen arches they a smooshed in a certain position.<br><br>
Then when you point your toes to swim, the arches are working in a different way.<br><br>
that's why I'll cramp in an afternoon swim and not in the morning.

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

Out in open water, you can relax, float, and try to stretch it out by grabbing your toes and straightening your leg. (This is much easier when wearing scuba flippers.)

 

[Kate60]

I get it form time to time, I have no idea why. I usually keep swimming and flex my foot. If it is really bad I will stop and stretch it out.

 

[runxc09]

That makes sense... I have arch issues too, although I wear orthotics in my shoes. But this was the worst it has happened and the first time I've swum at night.

 

[SpartyGirl]

I echo Bannon on this one. For me I've learned it's tight calves, though everyone is different. If it's OW I flex my foot and keep going. In the pool if it's really bad and I can't swim it out I will hang on the wall and stretch out my calves and arches.

 

[runninirish]

nothing worse than foot cramps while swimming, every once in a while I'll have to actually stop...usually a stretch like most have said works...

 

[pcsronbo]

ok, assuming no electrolyte issue, this is because of the weird motions you're making with your foot. Now for some people, weird is a full on point (should be this during swim) and others it is just the angle. So what you need to do is<br>
a) stretch before<br>
b) don't point SO HARD<br>
c) stretch during<br>
d) stretch after<br><br>
In your PF right? If so, you do all same stretchs, adapated for the water. You can good PF stretches, there are many.<br><br>
As you get more flexible, then you will haev less issues. Stretching after your runs is the best time because you're already warm.

 

[RunningForT3]

Could it also be because of having your foot in cold water for so long?<br><br>
Sometimes my feet would cramp when it's too cold in the house... usually after heavy exercise... so there might be a connection, exercise + cold.

 

[Callalily]

I thought foot cramps might be due to a lack of endurance. I carried over swimming from the summer into the fall and am now swimming with the master's swim team. I had foot cramps around the 35 min mark, but now I'm getting them around the 45 min mark and they aren't as severe, which I attribute to better conditioning. I'd get out of the pool and walk around and try to get the knot out, and in the process I'd get a drink of water.

 

[Tithers]

Mine only happen after work. I NEVER get them in the AM.

 

[COcarrie]

Not that I have much OW experience, but I've never gotten them in the OW. I get them every so often in the pool after a push off from a turn. Not sure why but it hurts like hell and pisses me off if I have to stop to work it out. When it does happen, it's more likely to be at the end of a swim than at the beginning.<br><br>
I'm just glad to know I'm not alone in this, cause I always feel like an idiot when I have to stop and I'm moaning and limping along cursing at it for half a length of the pool.<br><br>
BOO foot craps.

 

[Econo]

valuable thread; thank you

 

[Stitcher]

I get them when I'm not hydrated enough....<br>
or when I've been lazy with the regular stretching throughout the week...coming from tight calf muscles.<br><br>
During workouts....I just flex that foot real hard and sacrifice speed on that rep. Then, I pray for fins!