Just started training for a marathon and have never been a runner. When I run my calves and shins seem to be?

Question

cramping up. I have been drinking lots of water, taking potassium, and magnesium tablets. What could be causing this?

Answer 1

I can tell from my own experience running 6 miles is already a mighty effort if one is not used to running...Running a marathon requires lots of running experience on shorter distances ( i.e. 2 - 6 miles ) and some half-marathons...I have never run any distance beyond 7 miles and even this I run on pile-dust surface in order to avoid injuries to my ankles or knees...I suggest you to think it over before you go for a marathon, namely running on shorter distances can also be fun and there are lots of recreational events that offer distances between 3 and 7 miles ! Have fun and don't exaggerate, or you will suffer consequences when you get older...

Answer 2

water magnesium tablets and stuff like gatorade and bananas are really good for oyur body. the only problem is  

that you would have to stretch more.

stretch for five to ten minutes before running it may seem like forever but it is worth it because you could get hurt bad.

start out with a light jog then begin to go faster so your body is ready run about every other day if your runs are really long or if its short you can run everyday.

good luck and have fun running!

Answer 3

Shin splints are pretty common for beginners.

If you've just begun, you need to allow your body time to adapt to things, possibly by starting with a walk or run/walk program. Beginners also tend to have poor form until they figure things out, and do things like overuse the lower legs -- using your feet/ankles and pushing off your forefoot too much can cause what you describe.

You're going to need to be patient with yourself and be very careful about injury when you start out. Your body is going to take awhile to adapt to the pounding, and you yourself are going to have things to learn. What you have occurring is unlikely to be something you can drink water or pop pills for. In the meantime, I'd suggest looking into a book like "Chi Running" to help with running form, and try not to "force" things from your lower legs.

If you haven't yet gotten properly fit for running shoes, you really need to go do that (at a running specialty shop) before you run another step, too.

Answer 4

A lot of times new people get shin splints and cramps because they don't have a lot of muscle yet.  Doing leg exercises such as lunges, wall-sits and doing ab work on an exercise ball will help when you run.  

If you're new to running, you might not have good shoes either, and you might not be running on great surfaces.  Potassium will only help a little, muscle and shoes are the two biggest factors in shin splints IMO.

Answer 5

How long do you stretch? I would guess not long enough. Also, how old are your running shoes (you are utilizing proper running shoes, right?)? They may be either worn out or not properly broken in yet.  Also, you mentioned you are new to this.  You may merely need to work up to longer distances and work on your form.