Posted by Bruce Coldsmith on January 12, 2005 at 16:54:19:
In Reply to: Hydration posted by Todd Golomb on January 09, 2005 at 14:02:22:
Todd, as always you make sense.
However, in regard to cramping, there seems to be a much stronger correlation to genetic predisposition and fitness than any of the other factors- hydration, electrolytes, stretching, stc. Tim Noakes (sp) in his excellent book "The Lore of Running", has a review of the research and indicates the biggest cause of cramps is asking our bodies to do more than they are ready to do (being out of shape).
At the same time, between two runners of equal fitness, one may cramp much more readily than the other, with all other factors being equal.
Bottom line: eat heathy and get in shape!