HOT AND STEAMY WEATHER CAUSING CRAMP?

What amazing weather we are having!!! The problem with great weather is that us runners take to the roads and we really don't want to come home! If the sun is out, you have enough fluids with you, and you don't have to pick the kids up from school....its very difficult to drag yourself home.
That being said, I have seen a few individuals in the last few days with calf pain, quad pain and tight hamstrings. One obvious cause of these cramps can be hyponatremia - or low blood sodium. When we work out in warm weather continuously and then only hydrate with water, we dilute the amount of sodium in the blood. This can result in cramping and in more severe cases, dizziness and disorientation. The obvious solution is to hydrate with an electrolyte solution and to make sure that nutritionally, you are eating a diet that is appropriate for your current training phase.
Now, aside from all that - what to do for those poor individuals who have become over zealous with their outdoor pursuits in the middle of road race season - and who want a fast recovery before Saturday. I keep saying the best cure is ....prevention. Train hard, but train clever. Now I'll climb down off my high horse and tell you how I actually helped them. I offered plenty of advice on nutrition and hydration and then did a nice long slow wave stretch to help to relieve the ache in the muscles by relaxing the tissue and releasing the fascia.
I had a client this evening who complained of a 'dead sensation' in his hip. I went through the usual mobilisation followed by some stretching and when he stood up after the session, it took him a couple of moments to realise that the 'numb sensation' and dull ache was completely gone.
This therapy has astounded me from the day I started my training. I keep saying to people that while it may not have your forehead on the floor in one session, it certainly makes you feel like you could get it there eventually...! Fascial stretch therapy is not a gimmick. Feel your cramping, sore, tight calves go from feeling like cavity blocks to fluffy marshmallows in a matter of minutes. The first person who responds to this thread with a comment gets 50% off a 1 hr session in Cork. Enjoy the sun folks......and remember 'Always wear sunblock' :)