Swimming Foot Cramps

AussieRachG

Hi Guys,

I've been a huge swimmer my entire life and I get foot cramps while swimming 95% of the times I train and I'm getting really sick of it. I eat plenty of bananas and drink heaps of water. There does not seem to be a pattern of when or how as sometimes it happens shortly after I start, sometimes in the middle of the swim, or towards the end. They start randomly mid-lap or when I push off at the end. I do, on average 50-70 laps each session, of a 25m pool. Sometimes, that's the only workout for the day, other times it's following 1-2 hours of cardio training/gym classes.

I'm active, fit and hydrated. Why do I keep getting them?!?!?

Help!

PS - they also sometimes happen during yoga, but not with the same regularity.

jenbk2

Have you asked your Dr about it?

AussieRachG

No doctor I've ever mentioned it to has had an answer. They're the ones who suggested bananas and water. I haven't asked recently though - I'm an Aussie, and therefore I rarely go to doctors ;-) We go when we're dying!

freezerburn2012

Do you point your toes really sharply? I know that when I swim and point my toes that I get major foot cramps.

AussieRachG

Not that I've noticed... but I'll pay attention to my toes next time I swim!

Moosical

I used to get them, but my last few swims i've managed to avoid them, but I think my form is still building, so perhaps my foot is inadvertantly more relaxed than it would usually be. Let me know if you find a pattern/way around it.

AussieRachG

I'm thinking of just chopping off my foot... it's always my left one, too!