Gut Cramps @ Start of Run

What kind of nutrition are you taking in on the bike?


I have the same problem now and then generally it comes from how I take my nutrition and being in aero position. I've noticed that if I sip rather than gulp (take in lots of air with water or gatorade) I avoid a lot of the stomach problems. Being in aero for a long time seems to make my stomach upset so I'm trying out tums to see if they help settle it down.

I take Tums before every race or training ride/run.  It helps me a lot with the stomach pains

I've found that lots of water and salt the day before really help me. Also, I take a salt pill every hour during the race.  Some of us big guys are heavy salt sweaters and need more than just water in our system.

I've had issues in T2, and it is usually from "crunching" over to put shoes on.  I've worked on getting the shoes on fast and staying out of a "crunched" position for more then a few seconds.  I would also look at your position on the bike to see if you are causing muscle fatigue in the abdominals.

As for nutrion, I've gone to an aero bottle with 1/2 G2 (gatoraide) and 1/2 water, which has allowed me more opportunity to take in fluids during the bike without reaching for a bottle (I was too lazy to grab my bottle).  I've also started using Hamer Endurolytes.  For sprints, 2 capsules before the swim, depending on heat, 1-3 in T1.  They have helped with leg and abdominal muscle cramps.

Great job on your faster pace!

When you say gut cramps do you literally mean your abdomen is cramped up or are you talking about really severe side stitches?

What are you eating before the race?  I know that there are 2 major reasons I get cramps while running.  The first is what I ate and the second is that I'm not hydrated.  For me it's fatty foods - it will give me running cramps every time.  I don't know if its physiological or psychological.

I don't think I've ever had really major stomach cramps that slowed me down, but I know that the few times I've gotten them and I haven't been able to ignore them, focusing on really deliberate breathing has alleviated them by exhaling forcefully when my right foot hits the pavement.  Eventually I just forget they're there and it just goes away.

Is your posture while you bike good?

Edited by Johners 2009-09-09 3:41 PM