Holy cramp

[Helm108]

Tonight I felt good running, but on the cool down walk I started hobbling a bit... and when I got in I could barely sit still because my quads, hamstrings and calves were cramping so badly. I had to lie down, but again struggled to keep still because the cramp was so severe... I drank some water, and had a couple of salty crisps in case it was lack of sodium, and after about an hour, the cramping had stopped and I was left with only the usual 'worked' feeling in my muscles, no pain at all.

Am I right thinking it might have been low salt? What else might it have been, and how do I stop it happening again?!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It could well be salts or just hydration. As a runner you need to drink a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide.

Stretching immediately after every run, nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h... while muscles are still warm and supple, pulls out contractions, avoiding carrying tensions into the next run and also improves recovery by improving blood flow, as recommended in the guide to the plan.

Many people do not hold their stretches for long enough or put enough effort in. Hold post run stretches for 30 seconds and make sure the pull is strong enough to be on the verge of discomfort.