[pct-l] Muscle Cramps

[jdrows@xxxxxxxxx (JD Schaefer)]

The hamstrings stretches did it for me.  3x 20 seconds each leg while
sitting on the ground, leg straight and reaching for the toes, *not* for the
ankles.

Supposedly 7% of Americans have an embryonic "issue" that develops or
doesn't develop at the time our arms and legs start poking out.  I'm in that
7%.  A sports Dr. measured my range (degrees from horizontal that I could
pull my straightened leg back) and after a couple of months stretching, the
range improved greatly and 20 miles a day doesn't hurt any more.  Modesty
prevents me from mentioning the original angle.

It's just one of those regular daily things we accumulate with age like
brushing your teeth and smiling at the morning.

Hiking poles helped tremendously.
JD


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Keener" <jkeener@backpacker.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 12:51 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Muscle Cramps


Hello, all,

I often get severe cramps in my hamstrings often when I walk quickly for 20
or more miles. Sometimes I get cramps in other leg muscles, as well.
Remedies I have tried are adding 1 tsp. of salt to each quart of water I
drink, taking calcium/magnesium/zinc tablets, eating several bananas.

I sweat a lot and drink a lot of water. For example, from Campo to Lake
Moreno, I drank almost five quarts on Friday, a cool day.

Any ideas?

Peace,
Jim


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