CRAAAAAAAAMP - OOOUCH!

[Julian1970]

Oh blinkin' heck guys, I have just suffered the worst cramp in my shin . . . . . . EVER!

Completed 5k this morning (00:30:25), which I was very happy with after last weeks abandoned run. Then spent the afternoon on the beach with the family running around in the sand , playing football and generally enjoying the sunshine and sea air.

Tonight, laying on the couch (doing nothing), I get the worst cramp ever in my left shin area. I've never hand cramp like this. Cue the ice pack and what seemed like hours of pain. Okay it was about 5 minutes, but it really hurt!

Anybody else get cramp and how do you get rid of it? more than happy to hear your suggestions . . . . . PLEEEEASE!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Not suffered cramp - have you been using any hydration additives at all? It could be salt or something?

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Never had it before Jay. But well hydrated, I think it was the playing football on the sand what did it :0

[Jelon Graduate]

Poor you - hope it’s eased now? I sometimes (rarely!) wake up in the night and have to jump out of bed as Cramp has attacked my calves and it is painful so I do sympathise 🙁

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Jelon]

Thank you Jelon. I know the post was a bit of a sympathy seeker . . . . . but you have to do one now and again

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Before running I used to get it in the long foot bones just behind each toe. Touch wood, since running, never again.

[Julian1970 Graduate]

Had it in my toes before, but never in my leg and it's the first time I've had it since starting running. I thought cramps would be a teething issue. not 12/13 weeks into it ..... ohhhhh the pain

[Lorijay Graduate]

Sounds a bit like "man cramp" (hours of pain...lol..) seriously though I do hope the ice helps, you have my sympathy

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Hey Lorijay, "man cramp" is a recognised medical condition. I'm sure there must be something about it here on the NHS pages. It is scientifically proven to be 1,000,000 times worse than "lady cramp" and we should be allowed to have at least 2 weeks off work when we have it!

[Lorijay Graduate in reply to Julian1970]

Awesome sense of humour Julian, just love it!! And I'm sure you are right, us women will never know the pain...lol..

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

It is nice to talk with a lady who truly understands what us men go through. What we put our bodies through to keep you ladies happy.

[Jennypenny2]

I got cramp the other day in my leg took deep breaths it did go at the end of the run. Well done on your 5K

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Jennypenny2]

Thank you Jenny

[mrrun Graduate]

Yes, multiple daily stretching exercises and proper hydration can help keep it away. But then it will also depend on your daily movements, shoes, body positions, diet, the works. Cramps happen for a reason. When l suffered from injuries l asked my osteopath, then physio and recently a chiropractor about those things and got some exercises in order to prevent it from happening. But I am probably built differently from you and my exercises may not benefit you. Go and see a pro if it persists! My son is a competitive swimmer who at one stage suffered from thigh cramps. His chiropractor fixed it.

[Gran4z Graduate]

There is a way, but difficult to describe 😳, so anyway try the hydration fluids rather than just plain water, as recommended by Jay66 that will replace the lost electrolytes (salts) due to sweating - and can result in cramps; which obviously is worse for you fellas I do acknowledge that.😎

[Robert_IS_a_Runner Graduate]

I've had it and it is excruciating agony. It is possible for the spasm to actually cause a muscle tear so do take care when next running that you're not aggravating an injury that needs to heal. I believe dancers reckon the two main causes are low blood oxygen (shallow breathing) and dehydration. But no one really knows. All the best for your recovery anyway .

[Teresa1632 Graduate]

Uddermint clears all illnesses...or at least the tingle and the smell will take your mind off the cramp

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Congrats on the time Julian! Well done you! Not had the cramp thing, sounds very painful. I’m not sure I’d know what to do, so thanks for sharing the ice tip. ❤️

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Cheers Fab! Just seen the times for today's run . . . . . (Spoiler alert!), I'm well chuffed!

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Julian1970]

Ooh!! 😁😁😁 just realised this was several days ago! I’m behind the curve (again 🤣)! Let me go see! Well done in advance! You star!!❤️