how to prevent cramps?

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Permalink Reply by Blaine Krueger on April 18, 2010 at 9:38pm

Calciun helps, You cab also use heed from hammer it has a lactic acid buffer. I find those helpfull.

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Permalink Reply by Joe B on April 19, 2010 at 7:59am

Thanks. I used HEED in a double century last month and had no issues. Will try it for this kind of racing.

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Permalink Reply by Hamilton on April 19, 2010 at 7:23am

I find most of my leg cramps are due to loss of electrolytes. The only time I ever get leg cramps is in the summer when the heat is up and I'm sweating a lot. If I don't pay close attention the day before and during a long hot ride I suffer pretty badly. I've started using Nuun, and found it helps a lot.

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Permalink Reply by Joe B on April 19, 2010 at 8:00am

Thanks. I suspect that could be part of the issue. Was eating bananas, using Nuun, etc. etc. but probably was depleted going into the ride.

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Permalink Reply by andrew on April 19, 2010 at 9:32pm

hey joe b,

cramps suck! suffer from many different kinds most of my life, especially ETAP - not a true cramp, but curious whether it was quad, hams, or calves? I ask cuz I used to get hamstring cramps a lot but have raised my seat quite a bit and moved it forward a little (I was too low before) and that's helped a ton with hamstrings. just fyi. positioning might be able to address this stuff along with all the good nutritional advice you've gotten.

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Permalink Reply by Joe B on April 22, 2010 at 7:51am

From my running days I learned that ETAP (side stitch) is usually an issue of too much food/water in the gut (straining the diaphragm).

My cramps were in calves, then quads/hams. I had gotten a Charley horse a few nights before the race on the right side and sure enough, that was the first place to go.

I suspect that the real answer is to do more intense lactic acid threshold work to try to improve the body's ability to clear out the lactic acid.

Or just resign myself that this is a painful sport and there's no avoiding that.

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Permalink Reply by andrew on April 22, 2010 at 10:58pm

i'd agree if it all started to fail, training + nutrition would help.

for me, for ETAP, it's certainly not that simple. been skipping breakfast (and lunch for afternoon races) and still get it. pretty hard to race hungry but it helps but isn't the magic cure. but every year I learn more and find a little improvement. i suppose 30 years of suffering from the same thing you'll pretty much try anything. I even bought this ebook recently!

good luck joe.

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Permalink Reply by Joe B on April 23, 2010 at 12:44pm

Sorry to hear that Andrew. I suppose you have thought about this, but what about a program to strengthen core muscles (yoga/Pilates is my choice).

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Permalink Reply by andrew on April 23, 2010 at 3:08pm

yeah - yoga, a bunch of xc skiing (when in boston) and many years of bodyboarding all didn't seem to help, but based on that ebook i might try those structured exercises as i've certainly never put that type of structured work in to make sure everything is balanced.

thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Todd Hockenberry on April 27, 2010 at 3:02pm

Interesting discussion. I started getting calf cramps two years ago. They seem to be related to sprinting, as I get them when I really mash down on the pedals. I've tried changing nutrition to include more electros, Heed, etc., but I believe it might have to do with my fit. I moved my seat back, and so far so good.

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