[neilep (OP)]

Dear All,

I just ran a 26 mile marathon...and I'm exhausted....fortunately, I rang wifey as I hit 18 miles to fire up my laptop so that as I crossed the finish line she could hand it to me so that I could ask you this before I came to a stop!

I suffered a few cramps whilst running......one in my side (which is called a ' stitch' yes) and the others on my thighs !

But what are cramps?...how are they caused ?...and why do they go waya as quickly as they come ?...Is a ' Stitch ' a cramp too ?

[Karen W.]

 Here you are: I hate cramps mine do not quickly go away I have had them last for several days and had to be medicated.. until the problem was resolved..

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/musclecramps.html


Muscle Cramps

Also called: Charley horse

Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more of your muscles. They often occur after exercise or at night, lasting a few seconds to several minutes. You have probably had a muscle cramp before. It is a very common muscle problem.

Muscle cramps can be caused by nerves that malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction is due to a health problem, such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back. Other causes are

    * Straining or overusing a muscle
    * Dehydration
    * A lack of minerals in your diet or the depletion of minerals in your body
    * Not enough blood getting to your muscles

Cramps can be very painful. Stretching or gently massaging the muscle can relieve this pain.

[Karen W.]

I do not think a stitch is a cramp as it is more a very sharp pain and not the spasm of a muscle... I don't think..!

[techmind]

I have read that cramps can be caused by a depletion of minerals and/or ions in the body, and that taking salt (probably both sodium salts and potassium salts) can help. I suspect it's a bit contraversial though -- it seems to be politically fashionable to treat salt as the root of all evil...

[Karen W.]

Nope my doctor increased my salt and magnesium  when I was cramping severely Saturday!

welcome to the forum!

[Simulated]

oh that stinks alot Neil. And I'm sure you've got your answer. but I get that after runing alot too.

atleast a muscle in your leg just didn't start twiching.

[Alandriel]

I just ran a 26 mile marathon...

WOA!

GO YOU!!! 

[I must admit I'm a non-runner, not even half a mile, but I can walk for days... ]

I always say: PREVENTION IS THE CURE

• keep up fitness levels and slowly train up for major exertions
• do extensive warm ups and cool downs before / after excercise
• make sure you breathe well throughout the excercise period
• keep up hydration & balanced electrolyte replacement
• Eat before exercise to stock up, and then replenish carbohydrate losses by eating during and after training. Foods that contain complex carbohydrates such as pasta and bananas are ideal
• Wear proper clothing and avoid exposing muscles to rapid changes in temperature

Happy running  []

[paul.fr]

Dear All,

I just ran a 26 mile marathon...

could you not make the other 385 yards? how disappointing, i hope it was not funded by sponsorship or you may be doing some refunds!

[ukmicky]

Dear All,

I just ran a 26 mile marathon...

  [][] []

[elegantlywasted]

Muscle cramps are caused by a lack of oxygen and a build up of lactic acid in the muscles.
When your body is exercising (such as running) your body works harder to transport O2 to your muscles and CO2 from them. The majority of oxygen in your body is used to keep your heart and brain functioning, so less gets to your muscles. This is where the lactic acid builds up. Because less O2 is being carried to your muscles, less CO2 is being taken away, and lactic acid usually travels away from your muscles by means of CO2.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[Karen W.]

That makes sense with my cramping at night.. I don't get the right oxygen at night so have recently been assigned a cpap machine which forces more air into my lungs helping to oxygenate my blood! Between that and a removel of a certain medication my cramping has gotten a lot less frequent it was happening all day and night upon movement.. legs back stomach area front of my shins calves.. You name it It was cramping.. very severe charlie horses!....Thanks meg very interesting!

[elegantlywasted]

Not a problem, its been a while since I took Organic Chem or Human Physiology so I could be mistaken, but I believe I have the basic principles down

[Karen W.]

It really makes a lot of sense!

[WylieE]

So on the subject of muscle cramps-

If I swim too much or wear new shoes I get cramps in my toes at night.  The muscles tighten and the toe goes completely to the side (it is really gross looking).  A few weeks ago I had one really bad and I was afraid my toe was going to break - so is it possible for my toe to break or dislocate?   It certainly feels (and looks) like it is going to do this, but will my muscles really pull that strong?

[RD]

"Stitch" = "Exercise-related transient abdominal pain" 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=10694128&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.PubmedZJ_RVAbstractPlus2