Running Camps Help!!!

Kelsey214
Kelsey214 Posts: 24 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Recently I took up running and it's help me shed 30 lbs fast.
The problem is I get terrible cramps in my calf and feet!!

I am not the best water drinker, and I don't really stretch before a run like I should.
Other than doing those two things,(which I will start doing) is there anything else I can help to reduce the cramps?

Any vitamins, special shoes, certain stretches?

Any advise is appreciated!

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Get fit for shoes

    Stretch after running, not before.
  • Kelsey214
    Kelsey214 Posts: 24 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Get fit for shoes

    Stretch after running, not before.

    Any particular brand you recommend?
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I like a lot of cushion so I would recommend Hokas
  • brendanwhite84
    brendanwhite84 Posts: 219 Member
    I've never bothered stretching before or after running, for what it's worth - and I've done some fairly long runs.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited November 2017
    Kelsey214 wrote: »
    Any particular brand you recommend?

    The most appropriate shoe fit you is the one that suits your build, gait and running style. My preferred shoe might be completely inappropriate for you. Essentially go to a proper running shop and get some advice.

    With respect to cramp, it may be dietary or it might be related to your gait. Difficult to tell, so the first thing to do is get the correct shoes.

    As far as stretches are concerned, I never stretch before running and only bother afterwards if it's been an intense speed session.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Kelsey214 wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Get fit for shoes

    Stretch after running, not before.

    Any particular brand you recommend?

    Nope, you have to get what is best for you.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    Kelsey214 wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Get fit for shoes

    Stretch after running, not before.

    Any particular brand you recommend?

    The brand that fleet feet decides is the best fit for me.

    I've worn Brooks, NB, and Altras.

    The first pair has ALWAYS been bought from Fleet feet. ALWAYS. It's worth the time, it's worth the money.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    Kelsey214 wrote: »
    Any particular brand you recommend?

    The most airport shoe fit you is the one that suits your build, gait and running style. My preferred shoe might be completely inappropriate for you. Essentially go to a proper running shop and get some advice.

    With respect to cramp, it may be dietary or it might be related to your gait. Difficult to tell, so the first thing to do is get the correct shoes.

    As far as stretches are concerned, I never stretch before running and only bother afterwards if it's been an intense speed session.

    Airport shoe fit?! :laugh:
  • GoodnightJulia
    GoodnightJulia Posts: 22 Member
    In addition to stretching and getting fit for shoes: I'd like to reiterate -- get professionally fit for shoes. Don't buy them yourself. Someone else's recommended brand will be almost worthless to you. A professional can watch you run and have you try on lots of shoes and you should select the one that feels best to you. Bring your current shoes to the shop so they can analyze the wear pattern on them.

    As far as the cramping, also make sure you're getting enough electrolytes. Get some extra potassium. Don't limit your sodium intake (for some reason people still do this without any advice to do so from their doctor) -- if you run a lot you sweat a lot, you lose electrolytes, and that can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms not the least of which is muscle cramps.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    Kelsey214 wrote: »
    Any particular brand you recommend?

    The most airport shoe fit you is the one that suits your build, gait and running style. My preferred shoe might be completely inappropriate for you. Essentially go to a proper running shop and get some advice.

    With respect to cramp, it may be dietary or it might be related to your gait. Difficult to tell, so the first thing to do is get the correct shoes.

    As far as stretches are concerned, I never stretch before running and only bother afterwards if it's been an intense speed session.

    Airport shoe fit?! :laugh:

    Good old automangling of one's speeling and grammer....
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited November 2017
    GoodnightJulia wrote: »
    Don't buy them yourself.

    Fwiw I've never had a gait analysis, but I did do a lot of research on shoe design, gait, running style etc before buying.

    I'm probably a bit of an edge case, as I recall going into a central London running shop about 18 months ago and asking for advice on something appropriate for a trail 50 miler. They couldn't help.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    My sister has a Tri coach the told her to get some of those McDonald's salt packets and dump a packet in when cramping starts. She said it works.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Are they cramps or shin splints/plantar fasciitis? Definitely try to get fitted for proper running shoes (they should be at least 1 whole size larger than your everyday shoes, too). Do not add too much mileage on a daily/weekly basis--most guidelines say 10% at a time. Stretch out well after running--learn to use a foam roller/myofascial release ball. If it is planter fasciitis--rolling a frozen water bottle or chilled aluminum soda can under your foot can feel fantastic.

    I love running--it's been fantastic for weight loss for me, too. Consider adding yoga and some hip strength training to keep yourself un-injured.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    I second the salt guy -- and fluids.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,740 Member
    Generally cramps when running are a sign that you trying to do more than your current level of fitness allows. Since you just started running, you are probably trying to do too much too soon. Back off the mileage. Go easier. Run slower.

    Definitely get proper shoes, but also let your muscles heal and don't push yourself as hard.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    brendanwhite84 wrote: »
    fitoverfortymom wrote: »
    Here I thought there was a grown-up camp for runners. Super disappointed.

    I've actually been to a triathlon camp - it included running. Much wine was drunk after dark.

    I went on a wild running camp earlier this year. They do exist!!!


  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    I want to go to runner camp!
  • SchweddyGirl
    SchweddyGirl Posts: 244 Member
    fitoverfortymom wrote: »
    I want to go to runner camp!

    http://running.competitor.com/2016/01/features/2016-running-camps-check_144152
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    fitoverfortymom wrote: »
    Here I thought there was a grown-up camp for runners. Super disappointed.

    I'm glad I wasn't the only one who came here looking for a running group discussion.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    Foot/calf cramps are usually a sign of dehydration/electrolyte balance issues,

    But they could also be too small shoes.
  • Kelsey214
    Kelsey214 Posts: 24 Member
    I do admit I am an awful water drinker and I was eating like no salt, so I think that may be a big issue I am having.

    Also going to save up for a decent pair of shoes, sadly the only place near me that sells like sneakers is Foot Locker.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Kelsey214 wrote: »
    I do admit I am an awful water drinker and I was eating like no salt, so I think that may be a big issue I am having.

    Also going to save up for a decent pair of shoes, sadly the only place near me that sells like sneakers is Foot Locker.

    I highly recommend taking a day trip to a place that has a good, reputable running store to get professionally fitted. It will be worth the trip. However, if you are unable to do this, check out an on-line shoe finder, such as this one from Runner's World:

    https://www.runnersworld.com/shoefinder

    Look at the wear pattern on your current shoe to help you determine how much you pronate (Google "pronation and wear pattern" and you will find lots of resources including pictures). Do this before you head to the store to try on shoes and have at least 3 or 4 models in mind to try. It is really important to have a shoe that is designed for your running style. Note also that you will be looking for specific types of shoes (i.e stability, neutral, motion control, etc), not specific brands. Most major manufacturers of running shoes make a variety of shoes in each type. You just need to find the one that works for you.
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Kelsey214 wrote: »
    I do admit I am an awful water drinker and I was eating like no salt, so I think that may be a big issue I am having.

    Also going to save up for a decent pair of shoes, sadly the only place near me that sells like sneakers is Foot Locker.

    I'm not good with drinking water either. I've taken to drinking 6oz of G2 (lower calorie Gatorade) before my runs. I'm trying some of the energy/electrolyte chews on my long run this week, also.
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    SchweddyGirl wrote: »
    fitoverfortymom wrote: »
    I want to go to runner camp!

    http://running.competitor.com/2016/01/features/2016-running-camps-check_144152

    Sweet. I'm in Colorado, with running camps abundant! THANK YOU!

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