Marathon & Cramps

Question
Hi Nick,
I hope you can help me coz I'm desperate - for the past 3-4 years I've been training for and running one marathon a year.  Problem is despite increasing my mileage and trying electrolytes, compression tights, etc, I still end up with debilitating cramps usually somewhere after 13 miles; starting with the calves but subsequently the quads also.  This year, I upped my mileage to about 50+ miles/week with 3 runs of about 20 miles and yet still ended up with cramps; this time even earlier, at about 11-12 miles.  I felt very optimistic this time round as I've never successfully upped my mileage and done the necessary long runs.  The thing is I didn't have any problems with cramps during training this year even when running up to 20 miles and I moderated my pace even during the actual marathon so that I wasn't going out too fast.  So imagine my shock when I felt the cramps coming on starting about 11 miles.  I'm at a loss here - I don't need to run a particularly fast marathon, all I want to do is be able to run a marathon rather than be forced to walk the remaining 10 miles due to cramps which has happened every time for the last 3 years.  I was especially disappointed this year as I thought I had done the necessary training and had not experienced any cramping issues during training but yet the cramps still came during the actual marathon; even earlier this time.  I have so many friends who have not even trained half as much or as regularly as me and yet successfully run the marathon.  What do I need to do?  Really demoralizing as I had spent months building up mileage  but to no avail.  Any light you can shed on the matter would really be appreciated.

Jervois

Answer
Jervois, I'm really sorry to hear about your problem.  I can see how that would be so frustrating.  I have 2 suggestions for you.

1) Run with a straighter torso.  Often being bent forward can cause this problem because of the added strain to those muscles.

2) Experiment with a different foot strike.  Many people use a heel strike.  Attempt a fore foot or mid foot strike.  A great video of this can be found on youtube. The Barefoot Running Professor.  This video demonstrates this foot strike barefoot, but can easily be done with shoes on.  I've seen this switch fix many "unfixable" problems.  Just start out slow and with short runs with it.  Within a 6 months maybe you could do half of your mileage with a heal strike and half with a fore foot strike.  

The only other suggestion I would have is to be evaluated by at least 2 running experts.  More eyes the better!  Please let me know if you need more guidance on any of my suggestions.