While running a marathon, my thighs and calves kept spasming, preventing me from running?

Question

I kept my hydration levels up; 2 days before hand, ate plenty of carbs... This isn't my 1st marathon.

However during this particular one, I did fine for the first 12 miles (7:41 pace), but than my thighs started to get really hot- and before you know it, my legs were cramping up and spasming out! Stretching was no help ethier-I had to walk the last half cause every time I tried to start an easy jog- about 30 seconds later I'd get a spasm and cramp. I even almost fell once because of it. Embarrassing!

One thing I do admit though, is I haven't done any serious training 2 weeks before the actual marathon. Maybe a 12 mile walk here and there, but no hard runs. Could this be the cause?

Any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

I don't know, it really sounds like a hydration problem to me.

Answer 2

I answered your ? last night, you did the San Diego marathon, right.  I see 2 problems you might have had (without truly knowing what you did in prep. for this)  You picked a marathon in the summer, higher temps. make completing one comfortably much harder if your not a great long distance runner.  Find one in fall or spring and I bet you'll do much better!!  Your longest runs/walks weren't enough to get you prepared.  Sorry to hear, better luck next time!

Answer 3

Go to

http://www.nutritiondata.com

create a free account, and enter your diet for

several days.   Check to make sure you are

getting sufficient magnesium.   Also check sodium.

Answer 4

With the elevated temperatures, you were dehydrated and getting heat cramps.  It's not embarrassing, since others are going through the same thing.  Next time, keep pumping water throughout the race and add some salt to your pre-race diet.  It'll help you retain water.

Also, stretch longer and continue running the last two weeks of tapering.  You still need to do 3-4 mile runs to keep up.  Stretch a lot longer the last two weeks, too.