Cramping during workout

I'll be the first to admit that my endurance isn't the best but I'm getting cramps bad enough that I can't push through them.  It's a new thing and really is bothering me a lot so if anyone has any suggestions, ideas or thoughts I'm really all ears.  

If I stop to stretch out the recovery period on that takes longer and longer as practice goes on and I'm literally getting to the point that I have to stop, sit, and then get back out there to struggle through the end of practice.  I've had times when I can barely move my feet enough to get momentum to coast.  

Calves are the worst and then it'll spread up into my quads and back.  I've got foot cramps also but my boots are still breaking in and I might get the toes stretched out a little if it keeps up.  I can get past that one by taking a minute to take off the skates and stretch my feet so it's not that bad when you're comparing it to everything else failing on me.

My blood work is fine and right now I'm actually "normal", not anemic, so there's nothing my doctor will advise on.  Just said to keep up with my multi-vitamin and doing extra b12 is fine to keep me going since I'm quitting soda.  Was feeling sluggish and rather then getting the injections I was told to take the supplements first and see if that works for me.  I've heard both magnesium and vitamin c can help with the cramps, as well as hydration, but I don't think dehydration is part of this.  I do drink enough water and sip during practice.  I'll finish one bottle during/after practice and usually 1/2 to another full bottle after practice.  During the day I get in at least 8 glasses if not more.  But I could be wrong, which is kinda why I'm here asking!  I've been really Really sore after workouts but not during them like this.  

I can't think of any changes really.  Nothing different in my diet or anything like that so I'm just trying to find a way to beat this.  Thanks everyone for anything you can think of.

It chould be a number of issues, (I'm not a doctor, I just play one on TV lol)  For a long while I had foot cramps pretty bad that shot up through my calves.  I needed new shoes and had a couple co-workers who ran the Boston Marathon intruduce me to a store they frequent for running/walking needs.  They fitted me with shoes that worked best since I am heavy and over-pronounced when I walked.  It helped with my foot cramping tremendously ... the shoes gave me enough room in the toes and supported my heal and arch. 

Sounds like you skate(?), you should look into getting inserts with arch and heal support.

Now is it just your foot that's cramping or are you having side cramps as well?  Drink water and something like Powerade or Gaterade that has electrolights and eat a couple hours before  ... so you can finish digesting before you start your work out.

Hope everything works out

Never thought about the arch supports!  Going to have to try that one.  I know I've been gripping with my toes trying to "hang on" in turns.  Changing out my wheels and bearings here in the next week or so and that will help a little bit.  

Not sure if that's it but going to see if that's at least a start.  

sometimes cramping is a lack of nutrients (potassium). I suggest incorporating  banana's into your meal plan. I used to wake up in the night with severe leg cramps and this helped me.

Shanny I couldn't agree with you more, especially if you suffer from charley horse cramps in your calves.  Eating a Banana and other high potasium foods helps ... drinking water and gatorade during a high intense work out (which I believe has potasium in it). 

Original Post by shanny32:

sometimes cramping is a lack of nutrients (potassium). I suggest incorporating banana's into your meal plan. I used to wake up in the night with severe leg cramps and this helped me.

Coconut water is an amazing source of potassium, and it hydrates your bod at the same time. Tastes really good, too.

Potatoes have way more potassium than bananas FYI. And I believe coconut juice to be nature's "gatorade". Real Gatorade is glorified Kool-aid(sugar) IMO.

I definitely disagree with orthodics/inserts. It's more like a cast, covering up the problem, but not actually fixing it. You should try strengthening your foot as a whole by doing short barefoot runs. Maybe once a week, no more than 1/2 a mile at a time.

Sorry that you disagree BMX ... I was speaking through personal experience.  I'm suggesting that new shoes that will support the arches and heel of the foot will alliviate the problem because it has in my case.  However since Lady D skates, and most likely has the cramping during that the inserts would be best. I repectfully disagree on the casts: they don't cover up problems, they help in stabilizing problem areas so that the body can heal properly.

However, I would agree that potatos are full with potasium however I was thinking along the lines of portability ... personally I love sweet potatoes! 

Everyone is different so there are a multitude of suggestions that may help.

Lady D: Try going on your tip toes and slowly squat down making sure that your knees don't go over your feet ... this stretches out the foot.

Thanks everyone.  I've upped protein again just in case that's part of my problem as well.  Noticed my diet has been a little more carb high lately.  

How would one do a barefoot run?  My running space is an outdoor concrete running trail so that could be a mite painful and really tear up socks so I'm a little stumped on that.  Sounds interesting though.

I did notice that I scrunch my toes when I skate, especially on turns because I'm fighting to hang on with my old wheels.  They're getting replaced so hopefully that will fix part of it. 

It's not exactly a charlie horse cramp though, these just build up until my legs get tighter and tighter and even stretching feels like it does nothing.  Going to eat a banana before practice to see if that'll lessen what I've been feeling and just keep crossing my fingers that conditioning + sticking it out will get me past this.

Original Post by ladyduece:

How would one do a barefoot run?  My running space is an outdoor concrete running trail so that could be a mite painful and really tear up socks so I'm a little stumped on that.  Sounds interesting though.

 Um, well, by barefoot, I meant barefoot. Bare, as in, nothing covering your feet.

Concrete/asphalt would be the best place to do it. Grass has hidden dangers and allows sloppy form. Just go down the street you live on, maybe 200M down and back. Easiest and best advice I can give is to RELAX when doing it. Land under your center of gravity on midfoot, not the forefoot. Stay up right, lean from the ankles not the waist, and keep your pelvis pushed forward. Also, lift your foot, do not push off. Barefoot running is a controlled fall, that's why you lean from the ankles.

This is all unconventional wisdom, I know. It's just a suggestion. Do whatever feels best for you.