View RSS Feed

The FAF AFAP Digest

How to HTFU when you cramp up in a race

Rate this Entry
13 Comments
by
USMS MemberThe Fortress
, August 7th, 2009 at 09:33 PM (1795 Views)
Don't panic. You can dolphin kick with cramps.

Remember the rest of them b@tches ain't better than you.

Do not think of excuses now. It's easier to brainstorm them with friends later. A roomful of hypochondriacs are marvellously inventive.

Remember that there are likely no scientifically valid studies that show that swimming with your ankles at a right angle is more likely to slow you down than swimming with no legs at all.

Go slow. What's the rush? It's long course meters.

No matter how slow you go, you'll still beat Geekity.

It's called backstroke, not back kick, right? So who cares if you can leg press three times more than Jim Thornton?

If necessary, call for the trainer to bring you a gin and tonic stat. It's got quinine, right?

Don't forget the lime because cramps and scurvy are an even worse combination.

Ignore texts from well meaning friends asking why you were out so slow.

-------------------------------------------

So I swam the 100 back today. Was kind of hoping to go 1:12 or so. I managed to put my Chris Stevenson induced start fears aside and take a body length lead at fifteen meters. Unfortunately, the double calf cramps at the start made the next 75 or so rather trying. I was told I was "galacially slow" and "ragged." I managed to get my act together at the 75 meter mark or so and pass 3 people. But, on the whole a disappointing swim; my slowest time in 3 years. My backstroke feels very odd so far this meet. I'm also not feeling so great in the morning.

Hope to have much fun on relay day tomorrow.

Had a fabulous dinner with forum friends.

Submit "How to HTFU when you cramp up in a race" to Digg Submit "How to HTFU when you cramp up in a race" to del.icio.us Submit "How to HTFU when you cramp up in a race" to StumbleUpon Submit "How to HTFU when you cramp up in a race" to Google

Updated August 10th, 2009 at 12:46 PM by The Fortress

Categories
Masters Swim Meets / Events

Comments

  1. chaos's Avatar
    cramps suck! at least you didn't have another 12 miles to go.
    good luck tomorrow!
  2. knelson's Avatar
    Glacially slow and ragged, huh? Sounds a little harsh!
  3. The Fortress's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by knelson
    Glacially slow and ragged, huh? Sounds a little harsh!
    I have video proof! And those weren't even my words! Someone said it looked like I "was on a Sunday stroll." there's just not much you can do when those kind if cramps hit. I thought if climbing out, but I'd have Mark Gill on my case forever!
  4. The Fortress's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by chaos
    cramps suck! at least you didn't have another 12 miles to go.
    good luck tomorrow!
    Thanks, Dave! SoundS like you had to HTFU way more than me!
  5. aztimm's Avatar
    did you do anything that may have caused the cramps? no running??

    you're a true camper for sticking it out, and still a nice time!
  6. The Fortress's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by aztimm
    did you do anything that may have caused the cramps? no running??

    you're a true camper for sticking it out, and still a nice time!
    Thanks Tim! I think I was somewhat dehydrated. Also, Allen Stark said muscle tightness and cramping are a side effect of the sleep aid I recently started using. Hadn't realized this ... Going to do more Gatorade tomorrow.

    Eney Jones tried to sucker me into running but I resisted her evil plot!
  7. SwimmerGirlKT's Avatar
    Sorry to hear about your cramps. Did you see my post about pickle juice popsicles? I get cramps too...I'm wondering which sleep aid has that side effect? I have been known to pop a Tylenol PM on occasion.
  8. qbrain's Avatar
    Maybe you should stay away from the distance events

    I bet that really cramped your style.

    More Gatorade sounds like a good plan. That humid pool air can dehydrate your faster than you would think, even if you are never hot.

    It is pretty funny to think that even with bad shoulders and leg cramps, you are still fast. You really must be swimming from the core.

    Enjoy relay day.
  9. pwb's Avatar
    Your cramps clearly sucked and, for that, I am very sorry for you. Your opening lines of writing, though, were quite inspired. I think Mr. Thornton has to worry about you encroaching on his writing career in addition to you out pressing him.

    Hopefully you're having fun on the relays today. And, from me to you, it's still better to be in Indy competing than watching from the sidelines at home. I hope you get hydrated and continue to rocket like you/we know you can.
  10. The Fortress's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by SwimmerGirlKT
    Sorry to hear about your cramps. Did you see my post about pickle juice popsicles? I get cramps too...I'm wondering which sleep aid has that side effect? I have been known to pop a Tylenol PM on occasion.
    I missed that! But I'm not find of pickles. My teammate says quinine is the ticket. Seemed to work for me today!

    I just started taking trazadone two weeks ago. It makes you kinda groggy the next day. I went for no sleep instead last night.
  11. The Fortress's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by qbrain
    Maybe you should stay away from the distance events

    I bet that really cramped your style.

    More Gatorade sounds like a good plan. That humid pool air can dehydrate your faster than you would think, even if you are never hot.

    It is pretty funny to think that even with bad shoulders and leg cramps, you are still fast. You really must be swimming from the core.

    Enjoy relay day.
    thanks Q! I had a blast!.

    I think I was dehydrated and that contributed. I was plied with Gatorade and felt much better.

    That was my slowest time in three years, so not thrilled. Now I really wish I had swum it three weeks ago. But c'est la vie ... I'll do better next time.
  12. The Fortress's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by pwbrundage
    Your cramps clearly sucked and, for that, I am very sorry for you. Your opening lines of writing, though, were quite inspired. I think Mr. Thornton has to worry about you encroaching on his writing career in addition to you out pressing him.

    Hopefully you're having fun on the relays today. And, from me to you, it's still better to be in Indy competing than watching from the sidelines at home. I hope you get hydrated and continue to rocket like you/we know you can.

    Thanks for the kind thoughts Patrick.

    I did have a super fun relay day!

    Actually, in the near future Jim and I will be having a writing duel off. Details secret for now.
  13. flippergirl's Avatar
    Hi fort! You know I live vicariously through you. I not only feel your triumps, but also your pain. Ya gotta have a bad day once in a while to appreciate the good ones. I have to say relays seems like so much fun. I wanna do one!!! You bounced back really well mentally and your free times are dynomite! Two 28's in a row is not just luck and don't you forget it. Sounds like you all had a great weekend doin what you love!