kjp

Last Sunday morning (very early: i.e.: still in bed) I got another Charlie Horse… not pleasant.

Apparently Charlie Horse is the name given to the cramping of your calf (or leg) muscle (when it is in the contracted position) for a couple of minutes. It’s quite painful. The pain lasts for a little bit, and slightly uncomfortable for a while after. I’ve gotten them occasionally (maybe a couple a year). In the past, I’ve had them when in bed, and once when swimming with flippers on (came in from the water and sat on the beach), and once when on a bodyboard (with flippers on - was too far out, so just stretched until it subsided).

The other day I got around to googling it. From what I can gather, it seems to be associated with (i.e.: some combination of all, some or none): contraction of the calf muscle, irregular exercise, stretching, diet (Potassium, Calcium), hydration (drinking enough water), heat, sweating. Last Saturday afternoon - orienteering out in the sun in the afternoon; probably didn't drink enough water; hadn't had decent amounts of fruit for a while; rushed quickly back after it was over (didn't stretch properly).

Given the authority of a few websites (!), I’m planning to:
* Eat more fruit, especially bananas
* Stretch more before and after runs
* Run more regularly, so a big run isn’t so much of a hit on my body
* Try and sleep further up the bed, so my feet don’t overhang the edge (if they overhang then my feet point a bit, contracting my calf muscles.
* Be careful when I’m swimming or bodyboarding with flippers on (because flippers mean that I point my feet, i.e.: contract the calf muscle.)
* Drink more water when I go exercising (before and after). Take more than a small bottle of water in the car when I go orienteering.

The way, apparently, to get rid of it when you have one is to stretch the relevant calf muscle (eeek, ouch).

Here are some links for reference:
Charlie Horses
Muscle Cramp - Nocturnal Leg Cramps
Meehan Therapy Muscle Cramps
What are Cramps? How to prevent Cramps
How can I avoid getting a bad pain in my calf muscle??

Oh, and just in case someone thinks of suing me, the above is my opinion. If you actually use this post as help for your issues, you’re a nutcase.