Muscle Cramping

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2008-09-02 6:38 PM

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Abbotsford
Subject: Muscle Cramping
 

Hey All,

I’ve participated in my first two sprint tri’s this year (the second was a ton of fun!!) and in both races I had massive cramping in my right calf. The second race (Vancouver Tri) I experienced cramping way worse than the first. The cramp happened in the bike to run transition for both races. When I pointed my toes to put it into the running shoe my right calf cramps up something fierce!! The one yesterday knocked me over and wouldn’t stretch out.

I am new to distance sports (if you can call distance sports a sprint tri) with a background in team sports and sprint racing.

Can anyone suggest what is happening here? The run was unbelievably painful and I would love to know what I’m doing wrong to fix it for next year.

Any help would be extremely appreciated.

GD

 

2008-09-02 9:45 PM
in reply to: #1644739

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Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping

I'm no expert by any means but I had a work out last week where I biked from work to the pool then swam and at the end of my swim I had a cramp like no other.  I stretched one muscle that was cramping up, then another one cramped up, so I stretched that one and the other went. So painful!! I asked my physio about it and she said that it might have been dehydration.  It would make sense for my cramp as I wasn't drink as much water as normal.  

 Good luck!

2008-09-02 11:33 PM
in reply to: #1644739

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Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping
I'm not an expert either...but I did stay in a Holiday Inn last night! It may be a deficiency with electrolytes /  sodium. I have had these issues in races before and found that drinking a huge amount of water the day before a race still did not fix the cramping. I would suggest doing some Brick Training on Gatorade or some other supplement drink. There are those of us that are believers in the INFINIT mix found here on BT. I used to cramp up on the bike at 80 KMs but after using INFINIT I have yet to cramp up...just to use me as an example. Hope that helps a bit, cramping up sucks and hurts a lot, I hope you can find a fix.
2008-09-03 12:23 PM
in reply to: #1644739

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Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping

Thanks that's great info. I'll try the Infinit cause I'm willing to try anything to not experience that again!! I still cant' walk well and it's stiffer than a fully carbon frame bike. To boot, I cant' imagine what my body will do on a longer tri, I thought the jump to olympic wouldn't be that bad...not too sure anymore. obviously not enough brick training...

 G

2008-09-03 9:09 PM
in reply to: #1644739

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Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping
Where can you pick up this INFINIT in Vancouver?
2008-09-06 5:23 PM
in reply to: #1644739

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Abbotsford
Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping

Hey Hugh,

 You get it here on BT apparently.

 "There are those of us that are believers in the INFINIT mix found here on BT. I used to cramp up on the bike at 80 KMs but after using INFINIT I have yet to cramp up...just to use me as an example." Haxmaster

 Later.

 GD

2008-09-06 7:56 PM
in reply to: #1644739

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Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping
As an "expert" ... I would most likely call dehydration or a magnesium deficiency, or simply not enough real-race experience ... honestly it's tough to say based on the limited information given ... however if you ensure that you are properly hydrated DAYS before the race (Chris - the day before is not enough!) and are not calcium/magnesium deficient (ie: take a multi high in those two) and are properly trained, stretched out and prepared ... cramping should not happen.

PM me if you have any questions. This is my job. I may or may not charge you
2008-09-06 9:20 PM
in reply to: #1644739

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Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping
Haz - don't you know, it's a Holidy Inn EXPRESS!! jeez!

Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Again, all I know I've learned from the shminternet - so I am an expert. If it's just from sprint distance, I would say it could be a lack of training to run off the bike, or a dehydration issue. Sodium/electrolyte loss shouldn't really come into play that soon, afaik, because you're only out there for just over an hour.

Based on when you describe it happening, I'd say it sounds more to the likes of lack of bike to run training. You are getting your muscles to do one certain motion (ie. bike) for a long period of time and then switching it really fast to a different motion (ie. running).

My $.02

Edited by VanCityJ 2008-09-06 9:23 PM
2008-09-08 10:33 AM
in reply to: #1655821

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Port Moody, BC
Subject: RE: Muscle Cramping

VanCityJ - 2008-09-06 7:20 PM Haz - don't you know, it's a Holidy Inn EXPRESS!! jeez! Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Again, all I know I've learned from the shminternet - so I am an expert. If it's just from sprint distance, I would say it could be a lack of training to run off the bike, or a dehydration issue. Sodium/electrolyte loss shouldn't really come into play that soon, afaik, because you're only out there for just over an hour. Based on when you describe it happening, I'd say it sounds more to the likes of lack of bike to run training. You are getting your muscles to do one certain motion (ie. bike) for a long period of time and then switching it really fast to a different motion (ie. running). My $.02

Good point. Hadn't thought about the distance being a factor.

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