Cramping

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2015-07-20 8:42 AM


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Subject: Cramping
Looking for some help/advice. I just completed a HIM and started to cramp on the bike at mile 30. It continued the entire race making for a long run. I had plenty of eletrolytes, salt and water. Body could take no more. Used tailwind and salt tabs.

Any ideas of curbing the cramping would be greatly appreciated.


2015-07-20 9:05 AM
in reply to: CMR242

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Subject: RE: Cramping

How did your swim and bike intensity compare to what you did during training?

What did your training look like in the 6 months prior to the race? (Weekly & monthly volume, intensity, # of sessions per week, and length of sessions in the last 2 months before the race)

 

2015-07-20 9:13 AM
in reply to: CMR242

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Subject: RE: Cramping
Cramping is usually from pushing past your fitness level.

Agree with Don, how fast did you go compared to your training? How were you gauging this; heart rate? power meter? speed? perceived?

What was cramping? foot? hamstring? abs?
2015-07-20 9:14 AM
in reply to: CMR242

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Subject: RE: Cramping
Don is leading the way correctly in getting you to an answer. From the research I have read there is actually a lack of data that supports the notion that dehydration & loss of electrolytes leads to cramping. Although people tend to focus on those areas for an answer to cramping the data does lead to the conclusion.
2015-07-20 10:40 AM
in reply to: #5129833


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Subject: RE: Cramping
Leading up to the race I tried a new program. Didn't have as many miles. But at higher intensity and a lot of strength training.

My intensity on my swim was on point and felt fine. On the bike I was a little less intensity on then in training but might have gone too fast with a half marathon looming.

2015-07-20 10:47 AM
in reply to: CMR242

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Subject: RE: Cramping

you exceeded your fitness

2015-07-20 10:58 AM
in reply to: #5129873


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Subject: RE: Cramping
Okay. How do I get myself ready for My ironman in September.

2015-07-20 11:01 AM
in reply to: CMR242

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Subject: RE: Cramping

Was it Racine that you raced? Without being able to see your training logs my guess would be a lack of fitness for the distance you were racing AND the intensity you were racing at. 

I remember the first half-Ironman I did, it was my second year of triatlhon and I thought I knew what I was doing and I thought I was in shape. I was wrong. I spent most of my run warding off bad leg cramps and I hobbled to the finish hoping my calf muscles wouldn't make me collapse before finishing. I was popping electrolytes and salt pills hoping for some magical relief, but it didn't happen. If I had paced slower on the bike and run I might have been ok, but I was pushing harder than my body was ready to endure for 5+ hours straight. After that race I had to reevaluate the kind of training it takes to race long distance vs. thinking what I had done would be enough.

2015-07-20 11:02 AM
in reply to: CMR242

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Subject: RE: Cramping

Originally posted by CMR242 Okay. How do I get myself ready for My ironman in September.

Are you following a training plan?

2015-07-20 11:14 AM
in reply to: #5129882


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Subject: RE: Cramping
Mike,

I was following a training plan. It had a lot less miles but more intensity.

I have realized that it didn't work as my finish time was 20 minutes slower then my PR. However I did get to the start line very healthy.

I have two months to get ready for Madison and am looking to get a new training plan today to implement to be successful for Madison.

Any suggestions would be awesome.
2015-07-20 11:35 AM
in reply to: CMR242

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Subject: RE: Cramping

Some different questions in addition to what was asked above...

Did you take in more food and water on the bike than you do in your normal training. I had problems in my first IM that I believe were related to taking in too much food, water and energy drink. I had bad stomach cramps during the final hours of the bike that continued on the run.

Did you eat anything different prior to the race that you don't eat prior to training? I found out Peanut Butter doesn't agree with me on race day. Stick with the breakfast you eat before training.





2015-07-20 4:56 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS


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Sarasota, Florida
Subject: RE: Cramping
I'm nowhere near your level, but I too have had cramping problems in the past on hot days.
I took advice to increase electrolytes and potassium, but found a tablespoon of yellow mustard would cure my
cramps. I still have no idea why, but it worked.
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