Skating cramp?

Question

ive been ice skating for about 5 months now and ive just bought a new pair of skates, ever since i started ive been getting terrible cramp on the inside edges of my feet, i thought it was just the hire skates at first but im still getting it in my new skates, plz dnt say get custom made boots coz i cant afford them!! but does anyone have any suggestions as to what i can do? thanks

Answer 1

It's because of the new skates! they take 2 weeks or more to break in and then, you have blisters/foot sores afterwards. don't freak about it you'll get used to them as they conform to your feet. just grin and bear it and put some shock gaurds in.

Answer 2

How long have you had your new skates for? All skates take a while to 'break in' and can hurt for a bit. To prevent this, if you have skate guards, put them on your skates and walk around the house in them. This will speed up the breaking in process.

If you've already broken into your skates and they're still cramping then maybe its because your skates don't fit properly or you're not wearing them right. Go up to the person who runs skate hire at your rink and ask them to help you put your skates on right, not too tight and not too loose. If you're not doing it right then they will tell you.

Answer 3

This happens sometimes to me. What I would suggest is doing some exercises to strengthen the arch of your foot, from what I can tell that is what is hurting. It takes awhie to build up those muscles. I would also get arch support pads to put into your regular shoes. NOT your skates that will just put you through more pain. It will help raise the arch in your foot and will hopefully ease the pain.

Hope That Helps.

Answer 4

Most likely, it's just the pain of new boots.  Possibly arches, but you could get some little arch supports and put them in your boots if that's the problem.  I occasionally get inner foot cramps when I lace my skates too tight. :-S

I know a lot of people jump to the "you need custom boots" for any sizing issue, but these days you really don't need them unless you have REALLY weird feet or are at a very high level (and even then, you might not need them).  Many boots these days are "customizable..." you can heat them up then wear them for ten minutes or so while they conform to your feet.  I'm not sure what kind of skates you have, so check the instructions before doing this on yours.

Answer 5

It sounds like your arches . . . maybe you have flat feet or high arches . . . both types usually have arch pain.  The sports med doctor told me I had borderline flat feet.  If you go to a podiatrist, they may recommend orthodics to support your arches (custom ones would be expensive, but apparently they help).  I didn't have them, but I know a few skaters who did.        

Like I said,  I didn't have or want orthodics, so these are the things I did which helped for the most part:

*Always massage the bottoms of the feet before and after skating. I have read of people using golf or tennis balls to roll their feet on to help with arch pain . . . I just used both hands and kind of did a wringing motion.

*Feet stretches. Feet pointing/hold and feet flexing/hold - repeat. Spreading toes out/hold and making a foot fist/hold - repeat.

*Feet strengthening. Like ballet releves (going up on your feet/hold) . . . doing them with both feet - then one at time - repeat. I took a lot of dance when I was skating . . . being either barefoot or wearing soft shoes, I think, strengthened my foot off the ice.

Hope that helps!  If it still kills after a long while, go see a foot doctor - you never know what may be going on.  I had a friend discover there was an extra bone  in the inner sides of her feet!!

Answer 6

ouch! arches right? that happens. usually that happens to me when i take 3 or 4 days off the ice.

new boots are new leather. if you still have your old skates (if you dont you can just imagine) feel how tough the new skate is compared to your old skates. i'd say since you cant bend your ankles as well, you are putting most of your pressure on your arches which then cramp.

whenever i get new skates i put bladeguards on them and walk around the house bending them as i walk. you may think you look stupid ;p but this will benefit you. after your skates are broken in (anywhere from 1 day-2 weeks depending on the softness of your skate, and how much you skate) if the cramping still continues massage your feet and if it worsens over the next couple of months go see a doctor.

have fun breaking in those skates (bummer, i know)