Agghhh...CRAMP!
I know it's obvious, but cramp can be a real pain.
For years I've suffered with cramps in the arches of my feet, but I've soldiered on thinking that there's not a whole lot that can be done, apart from perhaps drink copious amounts of water.
This all came to a head just before Christmas.
The weather up until mid-December had been typical spring equinox weather (cold south-westerlies), so Sunday's long bike rides were cool and breezy, meaning I wasn't sweating much at all. Then summer hit one day, and as temperatures went from 17 to 25 degrees, suddenly the four litres of water I'd packed for a six hour ride wasn't nearly enough. I got caught out this day an hour away from home with no liquid, and crawled home with my tail between my legs.
That late afternoon, the cramps began. My feet, calves and hamstrings all started cramping and worse yet to come. The next morning at 6am in the pool my feet were so bad I had to give up for the day or drown, I realised I needed to do something and fast. So I started reading up on what I needed, magnesium and bananas came up all the time, so I started taking a magnesium supplement and eating bananas, but over the next week things didn't really improve. So with memories of my salt caked legs I realised I needed minerals, and salt (sodium) was top of the list.
I spoke to our local Health 2000 store manager and she put me on to Harker Herbals Celtic Sea Salt and MRI Elete Electrolytes and, wow, the difference is amazing.
So here's my strategy for cramp
1. Water, water and more water. I now try to drink up to 4 litres extra a day which seems a lot, but when you can lose up to 5-6kg on a long run or ride, 4 litres doesn't seem so much. Also just before going to bed I have a large glass of water and this has noticeably calmed down the night cramps.
2. Harker Herbals Celtic Sea Salt. This stuff is magic and stops cramp in its tracks. Obviously high in sodium, but also high in potassium (which I why you're told to eat bananas). I mix a pinch with warm water in the morning and at night, especially after a hard training day. Also if I feel a cramp coming on, this stuff works a treat. For me, this treats acute cramp straight away.
3. MRI Elete Electrolytes. A complete mineral solution. I simply add a few drops to my water bottle throughout the day and this supports my mineral uptake and keeps cramps at bay long-term.
Also I've reduced my caffeine intake to only a 2-3 cups of tea per day and, as I'm pretty much a teetotaller at the moment, the glass of wine on Friday night does not dehydrate me.
You really shouldn't have to live with cramp and these supplements and changes have worked for me in making training and sleep a whole lot better.
Next Post...Food for fuel
I know it's obvious, but cramp can be a real pain.
For years I've suffered with cramps in the arches of my feet, but I've soldiered on thinking that there's not a whole lot that can be done, apart from perhaps drink copious amounts of water.
This all came to a head just before Christmas.
The weather up until mid-December had been typical spring equinox weather (cold south-westerlies), so Sunday's long bike rides were cool and breezy, meaning I wasn't sweating much at all. Then summer hit one day, and as temperatures went from 17 to 25 degrees, suddenly the four litres of water I'd packed for a six hour ride wasn't nearly enough. I got caught out this day an hour away from home with no liquid, and crawled home with my tail between my legs.
That late afternoon, the cramps began. My feet, calves and hamstrings all started cramping and worse yet to come. The next morning at 6am in the pool my feet were so bad I had to give up for the day or drown, I realised I needed to do something and fast. So I started reading up on what I needed, magnesium and bananas came up all the time, so I started taking a magnesium supplement and eating bananas, but over the next week things didn't really improve. So with memories of my salt caked legs I realised I needed minerals, and salt (sodium) was top of the list.
I spoke to our local Health 2000 store manager and she put me on to Harker Herbals Celtic Sea Salt and MRI Elete Electrolytes and, wow, the difference is amazing.
So here's my strategy for cramp
1. Water, water and more water. I now try to drink up to 4 litres extra a day which seems a lot, but when you can lose up to 5-6kg on a long run or ride, 4 litres doesn't seem so much. Also just before going to bed I have a large glass of water and this has noticeably calmed down the night cramps.
2. Harker Herbals Celtic Sea Salt. This stuff is magic and stops cramp in its tracks. Obviously high in sodium, but also high in potassium (which I why you're told to eat bananas). I mix a pinch with warm water in the morning and at night, especially after a hard training day. Also if I feel a cramp coming on, this stuff works a treat. For me, this treats acute cramp straight away.
3. MRI Elete Electrolytes. A complete mineral solution. I simply add a few drops to my water bottle throughout the day and this supports my mineral uptake and keeps cramps at bay long-term.
Also I've reduced my caffeine intake to only a 2-3 cups of tea per day and, as I'm pretty much a teetotaller at the moment, the glass of wine on Friday night does not dehydrate me.
You really shouldn't have to live with cramp and these supplements and changes have worked for me in making training and sleep a whole lot better.
Next Post...Food for fuel
Agghhh…CRAMP!
I know it's obvious, but cramp can be a real pain. Sleep suffers, training suffers and those around you suffer! I've fought with cramps but I think I may have found some relief at last...