The kick workout is useful for your swim training to strengthen your kick, I do not believe that it will help the issues with cramping. Many will say that if you are swimming for just triathlons then skip that workout, but if you desire to become a better swimmer overall and more competitive in the swim, then it is a good set to inclde in your workout.

I have similar issues with cramping and it has caused some significant issues on long OW swims. My thought is that if you are cramping at 45-55 min, by that time you should be finished with the swim portion of the race. If you feel it starting to go during the swim, then try to swim as though you are doing a pull set. I believe that in my case my cramping is due to oveall tightness in my lower legs. Runners are noted for being tighter and less fluid in the water, and I believe that the cramping is a result of this.

Jon

Do you warm-up in the pool, then stretch your lower legs, eith er in or out of the water? That might be something to try, and something you should probably be doing anyway....especially on race day.

Like biketm, I have never had any cramps in a race, but sometimes in the pool. I always attributed it to how my legs are normally thrashed (see tiredathlon thread!) during training, but theoretically well rested for a race.

I also always fret that a wetsuit will make it worse, but no problems with or without.

Jim

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Ice Cream:
I thought that the cramps might be caused by the fact that pointing my toes is difficult. that is why I went on a stretching program with the fins. Maybe it makes no sense, but I am wondering if it can be helpful.
When i was doing master swim workouts, the coach suggested the fins. But I have not much confidence in his abilities...<HR>

Actually, I had a swim instructor tell me my cramps were coming from pushing off the wall with my legs and feet after each lap. Hence why I don't cramp in open water swimming.

Just a thought that made a little sense to me.

Tim

I get cramps after hard races when I am lying it bed. I find that if I just let the muscle fire and cramp itself for a while, it runs out of electricity and relaxes--can you do that swimming, e.g. just leg your foot go kind of limp and cramp itself up for a while and still swim ok? It seems like fighting the cramp by forcing the muscle the other direction isn't much help.

When I swam a lot for tris, I had the same problem but never in a race for some reason.

I get cramps from tight calves, which is made worse by pushing off the walls of the pool. It usually helps to stop and stretch my calf. I know I'm in trouble, though, if I swim the day after a long run or particularly hard ride.


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quote:<HR>Originally posted by Ice Cream:
It occurred to me that pushing off the wall might be a factor, but I thought it was probably a stupid idea and was embarrassed that someone would make fun of it. Thanks for mentioning it. I guess the intuition could be right. I do not do flip turns. Also, if someone bumps into my feet, i am likely to cramp up. <HR>

Pushing off the wall is triggering the spasm, the condition that causes the spasm is what needs to be identified and adressed.

As you mentioned that people bumping into your feet also triggers the spasm.

Jon