OK.

i've been religiously walking/running on our treadmill for weeks now.

i usually do about 20 minutes (maybe a little more) of cardio every other day.

my problem is: my calves start stinging/hurting really, really badly at about six minutes.

i stretch for 15 minutes or more before i even get on the treadmill.

is there anything else i can do to prevent or at least lessen the pain i'm feeling in my calves?

my cardiovascular system can easily sustain 20 minutes or more ... it's my calves that can't.

it's really putting a HUGE damper on my cardio workouts.

HELP! :(

:: desparate ::
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I've heard of things happening like this before. This is for sure something that the trained people here know about. The times I've heard it mentioned is because there wasn't enough *something* going on/in your system, but I can't quite remember what it was. So here's a boost for those who do know what it is to see!
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thanks for the BOOST, rose bud. :)

my girlfriend said i'm not getting enough potassium. i'm going to try to eat one banana a day or up the vitamins.

would that be a good idea? trained people?
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I've been eating bananas a few times a week lately, as the fruit I bring with my lunch.

What helps prevent leg cramps/stinging for me is doing a warm-up of about 3-5 minutes at a lower intensity to get my muscles moving and not just plunged into the higher intensity work I do for 30 minutes.
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I've studied sports injuries but, LOL, I'm not sure what you can do for this (notes are not handy right now). But there are a few things you can check:

Firstly, are you wearing the right footwear? If you are not getting enough support this can happen.

Secondly, are you doing the right stretches? I think http://www.fitteen.com has some stretches... I did review it for the links page (which I am still working on, btw - haven't forgotten it) and I know I saw a link to a stretching article on it. It's important that you stretch all the parts of the leg, and that you hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.

However, it could just be that your body is not entirely used to this yet. When I had a treadmill, I used it for a long time before my legs could handle it. Because anything that is a new movement is going to take some adjusting to. And yes, you might say, we walk and run all the time - it's not a new movement - but then, using a treadmill is not exactly the same, since you are working at a set pace, at a set incline, etc., and that is pretty unnatural and will take a while to get used to.

Also, are you drinking enough water? It might sound like a strange thing to bring up, but I'm just brainstorming here, and I honestly believe that if people just drank 10 glasses of water a day, the majority of their maladies would be lessened or eradicated completely. Water is the medium for all your bodily processes, so it's important that you get enough. Water improves your energy levels, and if your muscles are getting fatigued, this is perhaps an issue you should look into.

And is your diet good? Because as well as water, other things you put in your body will determine your energy levels. Make sure you're getting enough carbohydrates and that you are giving yourself enough time to recover from your previous exercise (it's different for everyone, I think).

Ah, that's all I can think of for now. Perhaps the real problem is totally unrelated to any of these things, but they're still important to bear in mind.

Jordie
xxx
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wow! thanks rose bud and jordie! :)

i have to say that this morning's workout went *so much* better. i got the stinging/cramping *a little bit* but that's it.
i stretched a lot longer than i was stretching and i've added a banana to my lunch everyday for potassium.

Originally posted by Anaximenes
Firstly, are you wearing the right footwear? If you are not getting enough support this can happen.
yes, i think i am. i wear walking/running shoes with socks. they actually have the best support of sneakers i've ever owned.

Secondly, are you doing the right stretches?
i am stretching but maybe not the right ones. i'm definitely not holding the stretch for 30 seconds. i'll definitely check out that web site! :)

It could just be that your body is not entirely used to this yet.
that's what i'm thinking. for awhile i was just biking. i've been treadmill-ing for about a month now.

Also, are you drinking enough water?
i thought i was. but no one can ever have enough water. i *always* drink during my workout and for at least an hour after and then continue throughout the day. i generally drink a gallon a day per the body for life diet.

And is your diet good? Make sure you're getting enough carbohydrates and that you are giving yourself enough time to recover from your previous exercise.
yes. i'm in week 10 of the body for life diet. i thought i was actually eating *too many* carbs. i think my diet's OK, though.

i think your suggestions, jordie and rose bud, will work! thank you so much! it was really getting to the point where i had to stop my cardio routine; it was so painful.
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happy we could be of some help :)

With the whole shoe issue-I was having some foot pain with my workouts lately, and a BIG part of it was my shoes! The Reebok shoes I had, though designed for walking, were really warn and I could feel it in my feet. Switching to the new pair I had made a big difference.
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potassium can help your problem, but it can also hurt you.
don't eat too many bananas, too much potassium can cause cramping. plus, they are the worlds best laxative, you don't want your walking routine to change course to the bathroom :p

also, how fast are you walking?
i do the treadmill 5 days a week for a half hour on a varied course (up and down hill). when i first started i had the same problems as you. after about a week i realized i was simply pushing myself too much. i took my 3MPH down to 2.5MPH. it doesn't sound like much of a difference but it did a world of wonder. also, i started wieght training w/ my legs and that really helped also.
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Originally posted by shade72
how fast are you walking?

i start at 2.5 and i progressively increase speed (up to 3.5 or so). i usually run for six minutes when i hit 12 minutes. (i only do cardio for 20 minutes.)

well, we'll find out tomorrow if all the stretching works ...

:: crosses fingers ::
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hey
have your legs gotten any better yet? if they have, what did you change?
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hey! thanks for checking in, shade. :)

yes. it has gotten a little better.

i am stretching for longer periods of time before and after.

this morning's work out was not bad at all in relation to my stinging calves.

i did eat about three bananas a week for about three weeks. but i think the stretching helped the most.

i'll keep you all posted!
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