Calf seized up... am I over doing it?

[Phrost]

Ok, so here's the workout I just did, I've only ever had a cramp like this once before, and that was at the old Extreme Couture place (which didn't have air conditioning), in the summer, in a MMA class run by UFC vet Rob Kimmons.

Basically the calf just locked up as if it was having a single-muscle seizure, and wouldn't un-clench for a full two minutes. I figured I was just going to polish off a workout by hitting the bag again, about 50% power, mixing in elbows and knees. About 5 minutes into that cooldown, I threw a right knee and when I stepped back down my calf had completely locked up. I actually dropped to my ass and sat there trying not to whimper.

Here's the workout:

Boxing:

0:28:00 || drills (+157 pts)

Bas Rutten's 2 minute rounds x10

Barbell Deadlift:
135 lb x 10 reps (+77 pts)
205 lb x 8 reps (+120 pts)
275 lb x 3 reps (+136 pts)

Dumbbell Lunges:
45 lb x 10 reps (+76 pts)
45 lb x 12 reps (+78 pts)
45 lb x 20 reps (+85 pts)

Dumbbell Bicep Curl:
30 lb x 10 reps (+28 pts)
30 lb x 10 reps (+28 pts)
30 lb x 10 reps (+28 pts)
BROCEPS

Dumbbell 2-Arm Triceps Extension:
60 lb x 10 reps (+11 pts)
60 lb x 10 reps (+11 pts)
60 lb x 10 reps (+11 pts)

Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment:
120 lb x 10 reps (+17 pts)
120 lb x 10 reps (+17 pts)
120 lb x 7 reps (+16 pts)

Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment:
120 lb x 8 reps (+16 pts)
120 lb x 6 reps (+15 pts)
120 lb x 4 reps (+13 pts)

Kickboxing:
0:05:00 || drills (+19 pts)
What's that, right calf? **** me? You're going to seize up and steal all my dignity? Ok then, guess my workout's over.

So yeah, ouch and WTF? Nutrient deficiency? Overtraining (last workout was 3 days ago so I don't think so...)? HTFU, Phrost?

[submessenger]

Ok, so here's the workout I just did, I've only ever had a cramp like this once before, and that was at the old Extreme Couture place (which didn't have air conditioning), in the summer, in a MMA class run by UFC vet Rob Kimmons.

Basically the calf just locked up as if it was having a single-muscle seizure, and wouldn't un-clench for a full two minutes. I figured I was just going to polish off a workout by hitting the bag again, about 50% power, mixing in elbows and knees. About 5 minutes into that cooldown, I threw a right knee and when I stepped back down my calf had completely locked up. I actually dropped to my ass and sat there trying not to whimper.

Here's the workout:

Boxing:

0:28:00 || drills (+157 pts)

Bas Rutten's 2 minute rounds x10

Barbell Deadlift:
135 lb x 10 reps (+77 pts)
205 lb x 8 reps (+120 pts)
275 lb x 3 reps (+136 pts)

Dumbbell Lunges:
45 lb x 10 reps (+76 pts)
45 lb x 12 reps (+78 pts)
45 lb x 20 reps (+85 pts)

Dumbbell Bicep Curl:
30 lb x 10 reps (+28 pts)
30 lb x 10 reps (+28 pts)
30 lb x 10 reps (+28 pts)
BROCEPS

Dumbbell 2-Arm Triceps Extension:
60 lb x 10 reps (+11 pts)
60 lb x 10 reps (+11 pts)
60 lb x 10 reps (+11 pts)

Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment:
120 lb x 10 reps (+17 pts)
120 lb x 10 reps (+17 pts)
120 lb x 7 reps (+16 pts)

Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment:
120 lb x 8 reps (+16 pts)
120 lb x 6 reps (+15 pts)
120 lb x 4 reps (+13 pts)

Kickboxing:
0:05:00 || drills (+19 pts)
What's that, right calf? **** me? You're going to seize up and steal all my dignity? Ok then, guess my workout's over.

So yeah, ouch and WTF? Nutrient deficiency? Overtraining (last workout was 3 days ago so I don't think so...)? HTFU, Phrost?

Not sure if same thing, but this happened to me last week, and the unanimous call from my training buddies was "drink more water." Normally, I would scoff at that, but I had been out drinking pretty heavily the night before...

[Phrost]

Maybe that's it. I usually stay well-hydrated, but I hadn't had a lot of water today.

Coffee, yeah. Lots of coffee.

[submessenger]

Some days, coffee > training. Also, most days, whiskey > training. Just sayin'...

[BKR]

Maybe that's it. I usually stay well-hydrated, but I hadn't had a lot of water today.

Coffee, yeah. Lots of coffee.

My experience is that sort of cramp is due to being dehydrated. Caffeine is a primary culprit for me.

[ChuckWepner]

For what it's worth, my mother-in-law, an R.N., would have her calf muscles seize up during the night -- locked solid, major agony. The M.D. she worked with figured it was a potassium deficiency. She started eating half a banana each evening and the problem disappeared.

N.B. I have no medical expertise. This possibly irrelevant anecdote was brought to you by a guy who figures it can't hurt to eat an occasional banana, especially since those calf supercramps hurt like a ************. Your mileage may vary.

EDIT: Here's some more info. Apparently potassium is important in fluid retention and balancing water levels between cells and blood stream, and is involved in regulation of muscle contraction, so it wouldn't be surprising if it were involved, along with hydration.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Gettin...21_Article.jsp

http://www.eatright.org/public/content.aspx?id=6801

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09355.html

From the last source:
"Athletes also may need more potassium to replace that lost from muscle during exercise and the smaller amount lost in sweat."
"Low potassium can cause muscle cramping."
"Potassium works with sodium to maintain the body's water balance."

[Phrost]

Yeah, potassium occurred to me too in a fuzzy part of my brain. Good call, will eat more bananas and drink water.

Hell, banana-water... someone get on that.

[W. Rabbit]

Coffee and training are a terrible combo imo, like a lot of stimulants not worth the weird symptoms.

I used to burn more calories that way, now I just associate it with cramps, heat exhaustion, and the occasional puke.

Sifu recommended cutting out coffee a few hours before training and drinking at least 8 ounces of water at least an hour before any kind of training, even light, due to my past issues with dehyrdation. Results have been good.

[sazahko]

The guys above basically nailed it: Cramps like this are really common when your electrolyte balance gets out of whack, and that's usually due to dehydration and dietary issues, including potassium. The latter is a pretty big player in muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and fluid balance, any of which could cause musculoskeletal problems if disrupted, so it's certainly a reasonable connection to make.

So yeah. Bananas, water. Repeat. ...And then HTFU. ; )

-Sazzy

[Kintanon]

I came here to tell you Bananas and water as well you dumb bastard.