Do I need to start salt tablets?

Nasty cramps! I use them more for racing when its most always hot, high heart rate, and electrolite imbalance. During training I am mostly in zone two and can stop and stretch it out. During a race I got off the bike had my back cramp,quads,then calfs all within a few minutes. Needless to say my run was not very fun, actually it was a very slow walk for 10K.

I sweat very heavily, my straps on my bike helmet go from black to chalk white during most of my rides. If you feel you are cramping up when you are getting enough fluids and electrolites you may want to experiment with salt pills. I use Endurolites because the are very convient, I will always use them during races mostly as a precaution, sometimes during training if the tempature is high and I know I am going to go hard.

When you sweat you are sweating salt water. You need to replace what you lose. What do you drink when you train? Does it have electrolytes in it?

I started cramping in training and races. 

My coach had me do a sweat test to determine how much I should be drinking. I actually do a few in different weather conditions. Most sweat has 400-600 mg of sodium per 16 oz.

You can do a sweat test using this .

From there we determined how much sodium I was getting from what I was drinking and or eating for training  then backed into how much more I needed. We started conservative and then added until the cramping went away. It took a season to fully work it out, but now I can tell by how my body acts where I am and if I need to adjust.

Something to consider.

We need very little sodium to function.  Salt on clothing is not a sign of a need for more sodium.  Too much sodium causes cramping, as does too high a level of exertion.