Nutrition Question

[Bookwood]

I sweat heavily when I run, especially in humid conditions (sorry if that's TMI) and almost always have a problem with calf cramps around mile 8 or so. I have worked with the local Y nutrition educator and am really adding potassium to my diet for long miles and races. A friend on another web site told me about mustard (plain yellow mustard) helps with leg cramps when running long distances.

Anyone heard of this?

Not sure it will work for me as I'm pretty sure from trial and error that potassium loss is my issue. What do you think?

Thanks for your input.

 

[cewait]

Mustard, pickle juice and a few other foods help with leg cramps and they are doing the same thing your nutritionist is attempting to do... add potassium.

There are sports oriented caplets (Endurolytes for one) that will help supplement potassium on the run. These are better for most folks who need them than the old school food supplements for one reason; they are buffered. That means that you can take them on the run and not have to deal with GI issues. Look them up and then I suggest working with your nutritionist to see how to implement something like this on long run days.

 

[flatlandcycle]

Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are missing in many sports supplements, and diets for that matter.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I agree to work on your electrolytes, but have you tried compression calf sleeves? They are very helpful.

 

[Bookwood]

Compression sleeves help some but I've still had to walk finishing half marathons in them when my legs cramp up to badly.

Thanks for the Endurolytes info- I'll look into it

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Compression sleeves help some but I've still had to walk finishing half marathons in them when my legs cramp up to badly.

Thanks for the Endurolytes info- I'll look into it

If you have had this problem for a while, talk to your doctor. There are blood tests that can tell you if the problem needs to be treated with supplements. This is one of the tests that I ask for every year when I get my physical done.