Leg cramps...any solutions?

Leg cramps...any solutions?

Okay, wrench number two was thrown in yesterday. I did my long practice run (20 miles) on Saturday and paid close attention to my hurt shin all weekend. Yesterday, I was scheduled to do 5 miles. I had to stop about four times through out my run to stretch. Leg cramps were the issue. I've never had leg cramps ever...well maybe when pregnant with my boys. Any suggestions? I felt like I was hydrated, maybe just over worked from Saturday's run.

what supplements do you take?  When I was lifting, I would get calf cramps at night badder than a mofo! lol- potassium pills added to my other daily intake did the trick.

I take GU on long runs along with Gatorade. I hydrated myself prior to the 5 miles I did, but it was following a 20 mile run from Saturday. Thanks for the advice.

Actually - I have a daily vitamin/supplement routine AND I do the supplements during runs.  I think you might want to look at your daily vitamin intake and maybe do a daily potassium supplement.  My thought on it is because we are WLS folk, malabsorbtion is a constant issue, you may not be able to metabolize what you need during a run, but daily intake will give your body a certain level of it more consistenly - which can help.

JMO

electrolytes (sodium and potassium mainly) and hydration... you were most likely still tapped from your 20 mile run, it can take a week or two to fully recover from a run of that distance.

Okay, I was thinking the same thing.  I believe my muscles were just protesting! I'm icing today and I've got a Stinger (Whole Foods version of GU) in my bag for the gym tonight. I'm doing 8 miles. Come on legs don't fail me now. Thanks for the advice. You are always so sweet and helpful. I truly appreciate you!!!

Go to your local running store and get some Enduralytes... 1-2 Tabs an hour should do you well!

Okay, I will check those out. Should I be taking this along with GU? Is this the salt tabs I hear people talk about or something totally different? Thanks Dan for always providing support and good advice. You guys are the best!

It's a competitor to the Salt Tabs. I like them better because they have more than salt in them. They have all the electrolytes.

Yes, you take them in addition to the other stuff. I don't need them for every workout but I bring them along on the bike in case it's extra hot or I am working harder than usual and my normal nutrition doesn't provide quite enough electrolytes. Some people need more than others so you just have to experiment to see what dosage works for you.

Cramps = some combo of sodium, potasium or hydration imbalance

Dehydration: Sports and other vigorous activities can cause excessive fluid loss from perspiration. This kind of dehydration increases the likelihood of true cramps. These cramps are more likely to occur in warm weather and can be an early sign of heat stroke. Chronic volume depletion of body fluids from diuretics (medicine that promote urination) and poor fluid intake may act similarly to predispose to cramps in seniors. Sodium depletion has also been associated with cramps. Loss of sodium, the most abundant chemical constituent of body fluids outside the cell, is usually a function of dehydration.

Low blood calcium, magnesium: Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. This may be a predisposing factor for the spontaneous true cramps experienced by many older adults, as well as for those that are commonly noted during pregnancy. Low levels of calcium and magnesium are common in pregnant women unless these minerals are supplemented to the diet. Cramps are seen in any cir****tance that decreases the availability of calcium or magnesium in body fluids, such as from diuretics, hyperventilation (overbreathing), excessive vomiting, inadequate calcium and/or magnesium in the diet, inadequate calcium absorption due to vitamin D deficiency, poor function of the parathyroid gland (a tiny gland in the neck that regulates calcium balance), and other conditions.

Low potassium: Low potassium levels occasionally cause muscle cramps, although it is more common for low potassium to be associated with muscle weakness.

Enduralytes

Endurolytes Capsules Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 capsule
	Amount Per Serving	%DV
Sodium (as Sodium Chloride)	40mg	2%
Chloride (as Sodium Chloride)	60mg	2%
Calcium (as Chelate)	50mg	5%
Magnesium (as Chelate)	25mg	6%
Potassium (as Chelate)	25mg	1%
Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCL)	6.6mg	330%
Manganese (as Chelate)	1.6mg	80%
L-Tyrosine	50mg	†
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. † Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Rice Flour, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Capsules (plant cellulose and water), and Magnesium Stearate.