I’ve had calf cramps in the middle of the night sporadically and never really paid much attention to it. Last night I had a whopper! Extremely painful and took awhile to go away. This morning I could hardly step out of bed on it. Now, it doesn’t seem injured, just like someone punched me really hard there - it is a bit sore to the touch. I went for a light jog at lunch with a few pick-ups and it didn’t seem it limit me at all. Our family is planning on doing our local 5k in the morning…anything to worry about?
You staying hydrated good after long workouts? I wonder if it could be an electrolyte imbalance causing the cramps.
I found relief from cramped muscles from ART. I wasn’t a chiro user until the muscle cramps left my quads and calves almost injured. The ART helped. Also, iron difficiency is linked to leg cramps. I’ve started taking an iron suppliment I don’t know if it has helped since my training volume is down so no cramping issues currently. Good luck!
I had these really bad for a while in the middle of summer, about once every two weeks. I was training hard, but I was very hydrated and eating decent so it’s unlikely that was the cause. Almost brought me to tears when it happened at night, and could barely walk for about 2 hours after waking up in the morning. Eventually you just suck it up and go workout and it works itself out.
I haven’t had any in a while, not sure why. /shrug
Even though you were hydrating properly, there’s a good chance it’s from an electrolyte imbalance. Low levels can be created from a lot of water intake, but not enough electrolyte intake, and through heavy perspiration or training. I used to get them ALL the time, especially hamstring cramps that would wake me up like a bad nightmare (except I couldn’t wake up from it!!)
Also, try using a roller like Trigger Point’s GRID, or ‘The Stick,’ to roll the muscles out. I found that helped, as well as some post-training stretching. But I found electrolytes to be my biggest advocate.
I’ve had calf cramps in the middle of the night sporadically and never really paid much attention to it. Last night I had a whopper! Extremely painful and took awhile to go away. This morning I could hardly step out of bed on it. Now, it doesn’t seem injured, just like someone punched me really hard there - it is a bit sore to the touch. I went for a light jog at lunch with a few pick-ups and it didn’t seem it limit me at all. Our family is planning on doing our local 5k in the morning…anything to worry about?
Nocturnal leg cramps (typically the calf) are clinically mysterious, but preventable in some cases. More common in older adults, especially those with medical conditions. The affected muscle is more predisposed to cramp when shortened (re: calf, toes pointed in bed) or fatigued. You didn’t feel any muscle pain during your jog this morning. However, prolonged cramps always cause some damage. You will likely feel somewhat limited in tomorrow’s 5K after the DOMS sets in.
Thanks for the insight…OK to try to run hard?
Re: Running hard in 5K tomorrow: Muscle strains are usually caused by dynamic overstretching when the muscle is fatigued. If the muscle is already damaged and unhealed, it takes less stretching to worsen the strain. Severe prolonged muscle cramps cause strain by overstretching the attached myotendinous junctions. So, whether it’s a common exercise-related cramp or a nocturnal cramp, I think you have to be careful not to make it worse. Pain during the warm-up should be your guide.
ive got nothing to add other than i had that happen a couple times and it hurts like hell. shitty way to wake up!
I’ve had these for years… but to get rid of them at night, when you start to feel the onset of the spasm, shake your leg VIGOROUSLY in the air while on your back in bed. This will releave the pain immediately and the spasm will go away with no muscle pulls or strains. Then get up and drink some electrolyte fluid and go back sleep.
The shaking your leg in the air will freak out your spouse or whomever you are sleeping with, yet it will save your calves. 
Do you tuck in the sheets at the foot of your bed, and/or do you have very heavy blankets?
…The shaking your leg in the air will freak out your spouse or whomever you are sleeping with, yet it will save your calves.
Hey - don’t get me in trouble with “whomever!” Actually my spouse was freaked out when I started screaming!
It is amazing to me how bad a cramp can hurt!
I’m able to avoid most of my cramps when I use the foam roller or for the calf a baseball to massage it. My theory is that the adhesions cause you to ‘over use’ your muscle in a way it’s not used to, so the cramp is from the muscle being worked too much. Keep everything loose with massage or rolling and I haven’t had cramps.
I never cramp from lack of electrolytes (I don’t think) because my cramps happen at random times, like the first step of a run or just sitting around 8 hours after working out.
Might be the sheets…
Many thanks to all for the tips. Interestingly, yesterday was one of the very few days when I did not do a lunch time workout.
I used to get these very regularly. Pain was severe. And I still get them, but I’ve figured out how to stop them right at the outset before they become severe.
When you start to feel the pain coming on, simply point your toes up towards your knee (stretch your calf). This stops the cramp every time. Then go back to sleep.
Somebody else mentioned shaking the leg. My approach seems easier.
If they’re pretty severe consider sleeping with a night splint
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=night+splint
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I remember it happening to me twice, I think it is a hydration or electrolyte issue. Nothing that some pumpkin pie won’t fix.
This used to happen to me as well. I have found that on the days I get repeatedly kicked in the legs it does not happen.
This is the 3rd time I’ve responded to a post like this in 2012: it’s a calcium deficiency. Let me guess, you are in your 40s, been doing multisport for a while, and have been going pretty long the last 1-3 years? It’s calcium deficiency but look at your shoes, cleats, and any recent changes to training.
Oh, you make me feel good! I am in my 50s, have raced multisport every year for 31 consecutive years, and have been going long since the mid-80s… Perhaps it is time to start some calcium