McFuzz's Mentor Group-2010 Vintage CLOSED (Page 7)

Yeah. We're crazy aren't we??!

Not crazy, just willing to try things other people think are "crazy." 

We're normal...at least that's what all my tri-friends keep telling me...

Hahaha... yes!

wallico and I were chatting about muscle cramps the other day.  I mentioned that I had read from Joe Friel that he thinks cramps are more associated with fatigue than with electrolyte loss.  This tends to go against what sports drink companies advertise.

Here's a blog entry that Friel submitted yesterday.  It's an interesting topic to follow, for me because I do get cramps, especially during swims, but also during very long runs (>3 hrs).

http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2010/05/muscle-cramp-theory.html

Had a chance to read over Friel's blog and the article on fatigue causing cramps.  Interesting, and I can certainly see where the sports-drink companies wouldn't promote a non-electrolyte solution...

I have had calf cramps twice while swimming laps.  Nearly debilitating!!  Otherwise, I've rarely suffered from cramps (I'll consider myself lucky or lazy )  As for electrolytes, there is the absolute level of each electrolyte and then a relative level.  The impact can be different, and I've heard (completely unsubstantiated BTW) that potassium levels (both absolute and relative to other electrolytes) may be the dominant trigger.  The good news for sports-drinks is that the human body does a pretty good job of absorbing what it needs and eliminating excess quantities, so the worst thing to happen is you waste a lot of money peeing those expensive electrolytes out. 

Thanks for posting this Enrique.  Gives us all something to think about. 

I don't know about you all, but I used to drink lots of gatorade then I got a kidney stone, doc attributed it in part to all the sodium in the gatorade.  Haven't had a drink of it since until this year training.  Now I water it down about 50/50 with spring water.  Quenches the thirst better while still getting some of the electrolytes.

Vitamin super b complex, calcium magnesium zinc and e seleneum are also good supliments that I give my dogs and also take for myself durring fall hunting season when we put on 15 miles or so per day.

Side note: it is just not necessary for it to be this hot this early in the summer.  Completely uncalled for,  I must say.

Think of it as an early introduction to typical August in Louisville weather! 

Enrique thanks for posting that article.  It comes at a good time b/c I was pondering my muscle cramps last week durin swimming.  Thank goodness that is really the only time i cramp up during workouts.  I sometimes get them early in the morning while getting out of bed.  I think I can attribute them to not swimming enough/not stretching after long workouts.  I def need to stretch more!

P.S. I know its been hot but I kinda love it! Reminds me of being back in St. Maartin

Everyone keep up the great workouts!!

No problem.

As far as heat goes, I'm glad it's warming up.  I have a sprint tri this Saturday and I'm hoping I can do the open water swim without a wetsuit.

Good luck in the sprint, if it anything like NE Indiana, the water feels like bathwater already, you won't need a suit.  Keep us posted.

Thanks. Check out my race report when you get a chance. I did use a suit, although not necessary for the temps, but for the bouyancy.  I had a not-so-good experience on the swim, but the rest was great. 

A funny thing that I'll share with you about my race a week ago (Memorial Day).  The bike course was on the streets with signal lights needing to be obeyed.  I reached one intersection and the light suddenly turned RED, so I went to stop and was so focused on other things that I forgot to unclip a foot until the last second..... BAM... first time falling on my brand new bike. LOL...  besides a scratch on my leg, bruised hand (and ego), and a small scrape on my seat, evertything was fine. 

Best,

Enrique

That sucks about falling, I was turning around in my driveway a few weeks ago with my brand new tt bike, slowed way down and realized that I needed out of my clips quick, no go of course.  As I was tipping over, my shoe finally came out, I was pulling so frantically that when it came loose, I kicked the aero bar and snapped the elbow rest in half...  that little rookie move cost me $50 for new elbow rest.  Been riding on with clipless pedals for 8 years, felt like a total beginner, glad no one was looking.

Ok. I had a good chuckle at your expense.  Thanks for sharing.

It happens...

I got clipless pedals in the fall of 2005. 

Check out my logs from October 30, 2008 and May 4, 2009. 

For those of you who are mathematically challenged, it took about 3 years before my first failed-to-clip-out fall. 

It's like a rite of passage! 

So... I was out on a 60 mile ride Saturday morning.  Nice and hot, getting sunburned and about 50 miles into the ride I make a right hand turn, just a little to sharp, and little too fast.  Front tire hits a tar snake (hot soft spot on the blacktop) and my front tire slides as I am leaning full into the turn at about 18 mph.  Front tire rolls over the rim and I got an instant flat front tire...  6 miles from my truck.  Guess what I am going to invest in tomorrow?  You got it, a spare tube and portable air pump to go on the bike.  Don't make the same mistake, have a flat repair kit, even for short rides.  Nothing sucks like walking your bike back home (in clipless shoes).

I know it's early, but I hope you all have a great 4th of July weekend. What are the plans?? I'm heading over with the family to Sacramento to hang out with my brother and his family.  Fireworks, BBQ, relaxing, and of course a little bit of working out mixed in. 

Edited by ecpasos 2010-06-30 7:49 PM

JK,

The Boy Scout in me never goes out without the patch kit and a frame pump of some kind.  (I usually have a full-size pump on training rides and a combo pump/inflator for races. )  It doesn't hurt to practice with them once or twice before a race either. 

ya, got a little practice when I got back to the truck.  Just ordered a two bottle holder for behind the seat with holder for the a CO2 pump and cartridges.  Won't be making that mistake again.

The CO2 inflator is intended for "finish the ride" inflation.  I've heard the CO2 leaks out of a tube faster than regular air, so they aren't a good solution for everyday riding. 

OK, got a waterbottle holder that holds two bottles behind the seat.  It also has a place to screw on three C02's as well as the chuck.  got a spare tube and the little plastic tool to break the tire over the rim.  It is small and lightweight, but holly crap the setup cost me $92.  I have a real pump that I keep in the truck, but of course that only works after you make it back.  I guess the next time I have a flat on the road, it will seem like the best spent $92 of all times.

I have some C02 cartridges that I carry, but I've never used one so I'm not sure exactly how it works.  I suppose I can figure it out when the time comes.

BTW, I have another Tri next Saturday.  I'm really hoping my swim goes better than the last one.  I'm actually going to to the lake this weekend for some dry runs.  I really want to maximize my swim and not get bogged down in the "washing machine" like the last race.

Edited by ecpasos 2010-07-09 1:46 AM