Night cramp: I have just been talking to one of... - Couch to 5K

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Night cramp

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I have just been talking to one of the new mums at the school who started the C25K just after the start of the new term. Her group are doing well and just started week 8.

She asked if I have ever suffered from cramp as a couple of her group seem to have started getting it in either their calf or their thigh at night. She said she had never really suffered before but now is getting it several times a week. Her partner found it funny at first with her leaping out of bed and dancing around the room trying to put her foot flat to the floor but is now finding it less of a joke.

I have had cramp like that at night but don't think I have had an increase since I started running, I maybe get it once or twice a year, definitely not multiple times a week.

I have given her this website so she can ask the question herself but thought I would post it anyway.

She said that they all do quite a bit of stretching after their cool down walk which was the only thing I could suggest at the time. I later though about hydration so will mention that when I see her next. My Mum always said cramp was due to a lack of salt in your diet but I am not sure if that was based on fact or an old wives tale.

Any suggestions?

:) :) :)

12 Replies
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministratorGraduate

This is what the NHS website says: nhs.uk/conditions/leg-cramp...

/

As you said, it mentions dehydration. When I first started C25K I had no idea that I needed to drink extra.

The other thing that strikes me is that a few people in her group are getting the cramps. Might this suggest that maybe they aren't doing the stretches properly? Are they doing dynamic stretches when they should be doing static stretches or vice versa?

As always, if the cramps don't stop they should see a GP.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

I've definitely done the bedroom wardance in the past. Since I've been running it's actually been less. This may be because I've been more aware of keeping up my hydration.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate

While I've not had cramp myself, factors that have affected others I know have been not drinking enough, and pushing too hard, particularly by setting off too fast without warming up. As already explained re stretches, it's dynamic before running and static afterwards.

Long-distance runners often take magnesium supplements to ward off cramps, but while I did so myself in the final few weeks of my trail marathon training, I wouldn't have thought it appropriate or necessary for C25K. Better to get hydration, stretches and pace right, then seek advice from a qualified health professional if necessary.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toCmoi

Surely it's: dynamic stretches before; static after?

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply tonowster

You're absolutely right nowster and I've corrected my post, thanks. I don't seem to be able to type anything right today. 😱 Could you possibly check all my posts for the foreseeable? 🤪

And maybe, while you're at it, cast an eye over the rewrite of my Renaissance group's governing documents and my reports for the AGM? 😇

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply toCmoi

You are not the only one (running shops can look at your hair and tell which running shoes you need according to my post this morning). There’s definitely something in the air today!!!

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply toMissUnderstanding

Too true - I've now just had error code 504 MissUnderstanding !

I'm going to log off the forum and deal with emails and the stuff I need to do for my Renaissance group. I'm trying to do too many things at once and it's all going pear-shaped.

I would have added delightfully amusing emojis to conclude this post, except that the forum's not letting me. OK, HU. Point taken. Over and out!

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toCmoi

Oddly enough, my very first paid job (summer between school and university) was typesetting and proofreading a technical book.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply tonowster

Which language? In my first proper job, back in pre-computer days, I once had to proof-read a town-twinning visit programme written in Slovak. I can't read, write, speak or understand that language!

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toCmoi

In English, on an Apple Mac SE20 using MacAuthor 2. It crashed several times per day. I got into the habit of saving my work regularly.

SkiMonday profile image
SkiMondayGraduate in reply toCmoi

Seems that Nowster’s going to be busy proofreading!

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate

Similar to Cmoi mentioning it, I find that when I don’t take magnesium, I get leg cramps. Since taking a magnesium supplement daily (also needed for my condition) I’ve not experienced a leg cramp for years. Some people swear on bananas, which contain high amounts of magnesium.

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