I used to get them quite a bit while swimming, especially if i had been running a lot recently. I've narrowed it down to tight calf muscles. I now pay extra attention to stretching my calves after every run. I also do a good warm-up and stretch in the pool. I swim a couple of laps and then stretch my calves then swim more and stretch more. I find if I don't do this stretching before a swim, then I end up having to stop midway through due to foot cramps.

Yes!!!!! I get them really bad in my arches in the pool as well. I work on stretching my calfs and making sure I am not dehydrated.

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http://www.rdsupplier.com "making race directing easier"

I admit I am not very disciplined when it comes to stretching - at least not as good as I used to be so I'll have to be a bit more diligent about that! My husband said the same thing about potentially being dehydrated but I'm really good about making sure I drink enough water.

Thanks for the advice!

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Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

http://www.teamrunningfree.com
http://ironmanredux.blogspot.com/

In addition to the stretching mentioned by the others, you might also consider if you are properly hydrated and if you are getting enough potassium. Sometimes either of those can contribute to cramping, though why the calves and arches seem more susceptible, I'm not sure.

I'm also thinking you might want to do some strengthening to go along with that stretching. For example, stand on the stairs with the ball of your foot on the step and the rest of your foot (heel) just hanging level. Raise up, then lower slowly but only to the flat position and don't drop your heel below the step. Try a very small number of repeats, then do some stretching. Even a tiny number of repeats will make you feel sore, but you should gradually build up the number. This will help strengthen the calves and arches and may help minimize the cramping if it's due to some sort of isolated fatigue. I'd probably do this every other day for a couple of weeks to see if it helps.

BrokenSpoke

I get toe/foot cramps occasionally- OUCH! It seems to happen at a certain time- when I'm sitting down on the floor at my coffee table to eat (yes I eat in front of the TV- it's when I watch Jeopardy!). Usually happens a few hours after a run. I think it has something to do with how I cross my legs up underneath me- kinda weird though. Man it hurts... I jump up and walk around making faces until it goes away.

I've had them in the swimming pool a couple times too- when doing kick drills.

I don't get calf cramps and I have almost never cramped up while running.

Thanks for posting this - I had been curious myself. I'll watch my hydration and make sure to streth out better.

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Training for: Barb's Race HIM 8.2.08

I get toe/foot cramps at odd times, too. I've assumed it's maybe from shoes being a little worn out or needed to loosen up my calves more. I drink a lot of water, but I'll have to check and try to evaluate next time it happens if I wasn't as hydrated.

I actually stretch a lot and use a foam roller every night, but sometimes the calves just get tight. I'm going to an acupuncturist after work today to get my calves loosened up. No clue why it works, but I've found that it can really "release" my muscles.

Emily

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How about a piriformis cramp? OMG those hurt! I've had it come up randomly several times over the last week and it almost knocks me to the ground. I can't even walk. Any idea how to stretch that dang thing out?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_muscle

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce

I have had piriformis issues in the past and I'm still prone to tightness there. I used to sit and roll around on a tennis ball (hurts like hell but you feel SO much better after) but since I bought the Trigger Point technologies kit, I just use the ball that came with that. It works like a charm but a tennis ball will work just as well. I would recommend sitting on a yoga mat or something that has a little bit of grip so the ball doesn't fly out from under you when you sit down. I always stretch after I do this just to make sure everything is loosened up.

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Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

http://www.teamrunningfree.com
http://ironmanredux.blogspot.com/

I often would get cramps in my calves and arches after hard sessions on a banked indoor track. Occasionally they would wake me in the middle of the night. I fixed it by eating more sodium and potassium. Sodium is frequently made out to be something to avoid, but it's very important for athletes to get enough of it. Next time you order a margarita, salt the rim ;-)

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-Amy
Powder7 Ski Shop, Golden, Colorado

I like your thinking!!!!

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Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

http://www.teamrunningfree.com
http://ironmanredux.blogspot.com/

Sounds like hypokalemia - potassium depletion. Drinking extra water will make it worse. Full strength electrolyte drink should ward off the evil spirits, though not all have good potassium content.

  Sure do! My Doc did some blood work and found I was mineral deficient, so on them 3 x a day.....good luck! she (Doc) also swears by Standard Process supplements.

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Do you eat enough salts/minerals?
It might be also not enough hydration problem.
I do not put salt into my meals, but ever since I started eating salty tortillas, the problem has disappeared:)

I have the same problem! In the pool I get really bad cramps (Mostly feet but sometimes calves or arms). I picked up a little bottle of Concentrace (http://www.concentrace.co.uk/) and added it to my bottle of water + nuun tablet. If I keep it at the end of the pool lane it reminds me to drink it, and the cramping has massively improved since then!

I think there are quite a few salt replenishment options out there, that are quite affordable.