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.

I have had cramps that are tender for a couple of days.

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.

You shouldnt swim for 30 minutes after eating.








thats a joke

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.

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.

Hows your water intake? Maybe not enough water in yoru diet

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.

Thirst is your bodies way of saying, "Im almost dehydrated."

The more you drink, consistently, the less you pee.

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?