Horrible leg cramp while swimming...

S

spicypumpkin

0
So I started my swimming class yesterday. Fortunately, I wasn't the slowest in the class, until I was going along and all of a sudden my right calf cramped up. It was the weirdest thing and EXTREMELY painful. The muscle just tightened up on itself, and I couldn't relax it until I got out of the pool and started rubbing it. I was able to get it feeling good enough to keep swimming lightly for the rest of the class. It happened when we were doing a kicking drill with fins on. The only thing I can think that happened was too much resistance on my leg. I'm not going to use the fins again today.

It was feeling slightly better yesterday evening and I took a hot Epsom salt soak bath, but today, my leg has been stiff than the muscle is really tight. It hurts a lot too.

The class meets every day and it starts in a little over an hour, and I'm hoping this pain goes away. Does anyone know what I actually did to it? Was it just a cramp or did I strain or tear the muscle?
 
That’s a ques for a dr, not us.
 
Doesnt sound like a muscle tear to me just for the fact that it isnt so painful you arent considering going to class today. If you ever get cramp swimming turn on your back, legs straight and pulling toes towards your head. If it was a muscle tear you shouldnt have had a bath any way because the heat increases bleeding at the injured site. Ice only for the first 24 hours at least.
 
Yeah, I didn't think it was a tear since I can still walk on it. It's just really sore. It seems to feel better the more active I am. I didn't know a regular cramp would hurt after the cramp was over though. That's what makes me think it's injured in some way.
 
Hmm, so I guess it's normal then.

It's feeling a little worse today, and it's more stiff. Maybe it's just going to take a few days to get better. Right now, I really can't relax it all that much, I can't stretch my leg out straight without it hurting. If it doesn't get better in a few days, I may have to go to the doctor.
 
Try light stretching; use the stairs, stand on the edge of the step, like divers do (don't dive) and let gravity do the work.Don't go all the way down, don't do alternate legs, just both at the same time.
 
hahahahha welcome to swimming Spicey. The toe point you do while swimming can not really be achieved any other way.... the calf muscle is completely contracted.

you are in shape, so your heart and lungs are way more advanced than those skinny lil legs you have.

SO- your calf said "HOLY SHEEEYAHT" and seazed up on ya! I used to do all sorts of stuff to try and make that happen, I was so affraid of it happening in my Ironman open water situation...

To save some face next time, roll over on your back and pull the toes up to you, and press your heel out and it will release....

poor lil thing, I wanna give ya hug--- and we have a colorful history. :cool:

Stay with it.... I promise if you swim consistent it won't happen any more than 10 times.

OH- and after a seizure like that- of course it's sore. Leave it alone.

the FF'er
 
Thanks FF. Yeah, I tried to keep it relaxed today, and the teacher was easier on us today since it's the third day and we're all pretty exhausted. The next class is on Monday.

Fortunately, it hasn't happened again and I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. It's a pretty uncomfortable feeling.
 
Yeah make sure you hydration levels are good, even though you are in water you still perspire even though you may not realise it.
 
My leg is doing better now. I'm trying to stay hydrated, but my body will only hold on to a certain amount of water. If I try to do the 8 glasses of water a day thing, I end up peeing it all out. I pretty much just drink when I'm thirsty.
 
Really? Because when I start drinking more, I just pee it all out and it's annoying. I give up after about 2 days because I hate going to the bathroom every 30 minutes. Will my body eventually adjust? Or will I continue to be in a constant state of having to go to the bathroom?
 
That's why you don't wear fins when you swim! lol.

Anyway, this is fairly common because you're swimming with fins. It's quite easy to cramp in the water especially if you're "giving it your all."

The trick abotu swimming is technique rather than muscle power. It's quite easy to do the wrong technique and tire yourself easy.

Usually with fins I do side strokes back and fort the pool. I used to get the cramps like you described. What I found out is that I gave too much effort. Just relax and swim without tiring yourself out.

If you ever go in a lake or ocean, be sure to wear a life vest in case this happens out in the middle.
 
If you really want to swim with fins, then you might want to get better fins. The duck feet are probably the best for surface swims and general snorkeling. It adds floatation while being easy on your legs. For diving, the rocket fins are the best, but they are tough on your legs.

The best way to go with fins is to use the paddle board and swim every day for two hours with them on. You'll never cramp out again.
 
It's not required that we swim with fins. The teacher just wanted to start us out with them so we didn't tire so easily. I've been swimming without them and it feels much better. No more cramps. She's slowly transitioning us into swimming without them, she'll have the class wear them for the first half and then take them off for the second half of class. I just haven't been wearing them at all, it makes for a better workout that way.
 
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