General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Running after the bike Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-07-27 11:24 AM

Member
23

Ambler, PA
Subject: Running after the bike

Hey everyone, Just did my first Olympic yetesday and it went great. Meaning I finished and wasn't completely dead. Swim went well, Bike went well. But when I got to the run my quads cramped up. I was having some issues with my stomach as well but that was my fault as I kind of mis-timed my nutrition. The reason I am bringing this up is that it happened on my last two sprints as well. It was much worse in my last sprint. Either way, it happened again yesterday. I'm sure it is somewhat common for people to have leg cramps, but was thinking that I must be doing something wrong. My first inclination is that my bike is not setup correctly. Would that do it? 2nd, does having a tri bike do a better job of taking the stress directly off your quads. I averaged about 18 mph. I felt I was moving along pretty well. Almost every person that passed me had a "real" tri bike vs a road bike. I don't think anyone with a road bike passed me. I know this is like the fountain of youth question. Tri vs Road Bike. I'm more just trying to figure out why my legs keep cramping. It never happens on my long run on the weekends. Just after I get off the bike. Its just my quads too. My hammy's are fine. Anyones thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.



2009-07-27 11:30 AM
in reply to: #2310135

User image

Pro
6011
50001000
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Running after the bike
I think you'll find that the collective opinion here will be that you're just pushing right up against your limits for your current fitness level when you race.  I have a tendency to cramp a little early in the run during races, but I've noticed a definite connection between the amount of cramping and how hard I pushed on the bike.  It doesn't happen to me when I train.

2009-07-27 1:38 PM
in reply to: #2310135

User image

Champion
7233
5000200010010025
Subject: RE: Running after the bike
on the road vs tri bike, no actually the tri bike will put more work on your quads and less on your hamstrings/glutes to save them for the run.


number one thing here would be you are pushing too hard/not trained enough for the bike (which really are the same thing).

back off the bike a tad in races, and your run should improve.

in simple terms running off the bike is set up like this:

your running/run training is going to let you run X time.

your bike training/pacing is going to allow you to run X% of that time off the bike.

if the quads are cramping and you are not killing yourself, i would look to dehydration next.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Running after the bike Rss Feed