Calf muscle wierdness

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JimiG Sep 2012 10:43am, 15 Sep 2012 812 posts	0 JimiG Dear running folk, a quick question if you would be so kind as to suggest an answer. Whilst recently running the Marathon du Medoc in 34 degrees after about 30km I had the strangest feeling in my calf muscles. It was as if an electric pulse was shooting up the muscles, this happened a couple of times to the point of having to stop running. I stretched my muscles out and the pain appeared to disappear. Later whenever i transitioned from walking (I'm afraid there was quite a lot of that towards the end) the same thing would happen. This wave of pain would ride up my calves sometimes 3 or 4 times and then would stop. It almost felt like an electric shot forcing its way up the muscles. So the question: 1) what do you think it might be (I wondered if it might be lactic acid building up and then dispersing?)
JimiG Sep 2012 10:48am, 15 Sep 2012 813 posts	0 JimiG Oh and the second question was (pressed the submit button too soon): is there any training I should do to avoid this pain in the future? Thanks all
SODIron © 2002 Sep 2012 1:35pm, 28 Sep 2012 10,223 posts	0 SODIron © 2002 sounds like some sort of muscle cramp/spasm, probably brought on by dehydration....Google "muslce cramps when running" and you'll find a bucket load of links that suggest this and possible remedies.
JimiG Oct 2012 11:03pm, 1 Oct 2012 814 posts	0 JimiG Thanks SODIron that's helpful - I am away to goggle. Cheers
wiener dog Oct 2012 11:11pm, 1 Oct 2012 915 posts	0 wiener dog I had exactly this for about 2 weeks - physio said it was indeed caused by dehydration ( I did a hard paced longish run in the heat without a drink - I know Dickhead! ) I kept trying to stretch out the muscle but it just kept going into spasm more. Had a really painful sports massage and kept it warm after treatment it went totally in 48 hours. Lesson learned lol Won't get dehydrated again. I now use electrolyte tabs after long/hard runs as I sweat a lot.
JimiG Oct 2012 11:12pm, 1 Oct 2012 815 posts	0 JimiG interesting stuff on web this was the most helpful for me active.com
DeeGee Oct 2012 11:13pm, 1 Oct 2012 12,820 posts	0 DeeGee Cramp? Tonic water's your friend.
JimiG Oct 2012 11:14pm, 1 Oct 2012 816 posts	0 JimiG think I will be investing in electrolyte tabs - sounds like a good idea especially as I don't really like pretzels!!
JimiG Oct 2012 11:18pm, 1 Oct 2012 817 posts	0 JimiG Tonic is that with or without gin!