General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Calf cramps Rss Feed  
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2010-02-20 4:22 PM


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Subject: Calf cramps

I'm only getting calf cramps when I lift weights before running on the treadmill.  I can feel them coming on if I hit the stepmill after lifting, but they never materialize.

When I run, nothing.  When I run after biking, very rarely will I cramp.

What's going on here?  Am I pushing too hard, and need to consider a sports drink while lifting to get the salt/potassium? 



2010-02-20 4:31 PM
in reply to: #2683792

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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
stuy119 - 2010-02-20 6:22 PM

I'm only getting calf cramps when I lift weights before running on the treadmill.  I can feel them coming on if I hit the stepmill after lifting, but they never materialize.

When I run, nothing.  When I run after biking, very rarely will I cramp.

What's going on here?  Am I pushing too hard, and need to consider a sports drink while lifting to get the salt/potassium? 



I would guess that it is entirely due to pushing too hard and not an electrolyte issue.

Shane

2010-02-20 4:53 PM
in reply to: #2683808


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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
gsmacleod - 2010-02-20 4:31 PM
stuy119 - 2010-02-20 6:22 PM

What's going on here?  Am I pushing too hard, and need to consider a sports drink while lifting to get the salt/potassium? 



I would guess that it is entirely due to pushing too hard and not an electrolyte issue.

Shane



That's possible, but I'm doing very little lower body workout.  Just 3 sets each of leg press and stiff-legged deadlifts.  15 or so reps per set, lower weight for what I "should" be doing. 
2010-02-20 4:56 PM
in reply to: #2683837

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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
stuy119 - 2010-02-20 6:53 PM

That's possible, but I'm doing very little lower body workout.  Just 3 sets each of leg press and stiff-legged deadlifts.  15 or so reps per set, lower weight for what I "should" be doing. 


What are your goals - to be a faster triathlete or stronger from lifting?  If it is to be faster running, then I would highly suggest running before lifting instead of the other way around.

However, your cramps are most likely due to extending past your current fitness level - keep training and they will likely disappear.

Shane
2010-02-20 5:10 PM
in reply to: #2683847

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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
gsmacleod - 2010-02-20 3:56 PM

stuy119 - 2010-02-20 6:53 PM

That's possible, but I'm doing very little lower body workout.  Just 3 sets each of leg press and stiff-legged deadlifts.  15 or so reps per set, lower weight for what I "should" be doing. 


What are your goals - to be a faster triathlete or stronger from lifting?  If it is to be faster running, then I would highly suggest running before lifting instead of the other way around.

However, your cramps are most likely due to extending past your current fitness level - keep training and they will likely disappear.

Shane



100% agreement with Shane.

Just stop lifting before running and they will go away immediately, and your running will benefit as well.
2010-02-20 7:59 PM
in reply to: #2683792


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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
Fat burning at this point for weight loss.  I'm just working to get back into a shape other than round.

I'll start worrying more and more about speed and training come spring. 


2010-02-20 8:12 PM
in reply to: #2684068

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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
The key to weight loss is as simple as calories in/calories out.  Yes, there are a lot more things involved in the subject but that is the bottom line.  So if you expend more than you take in, you will lose weight.

If you have not been doing an activity (or doing one but not at the intensity level that you currently do them) then in many cases you will tax your system and it will rebel.

And unless you are going into your worket nutritionally depleted and dehydrated, the chances that the cramps are due to anything nutritional-based are extremely unlikely.  See above posts ^^^^^.

Edited by Daremo 2010-02-20 8:12 PM
2010-02-21 12:43 PM
in reply to: #2683792

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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
x all of the above
2010-02-21 3:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
^^^^^^ Yeah, what they said. ^^^^^^

Over doing it for your current fitness level, and it will do little to help with weight loss.  If you want to lose weight then use one of the online calculators to determine the number of calories you burn per day, then consume 500 calories/day less than that number by counting every calorie that you consume (measuring or weighing everything that isn't prepackaged).  BTW, ignore the number of calories that devices like treadmills, stair climbers, and GPS/heart rate monitors say you burn (most of these give an outrageously inflated estimate, such as 500 calories for 3 miles on a treadmill, when you actually burned more like 300), and instead apply a reasonable number.
2010-02-21 3:26 PM
in reply to: #2683792

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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
To add a little more to what has been said on weight loss which has all been great advice. A big part of weight loss I've found is boosting a persons muscle mass as a way to make weight loss easier. This is because muscle takes energy (calories) everyday just to sit there and do nothing no matter if you work out or not. It has a metabolic cost all the time unlike fat.

Just some advice that I used to give all my weight loss personal training clients in undergrad was to ignore the scale for a while and focus on how your cloths fit and how you look. Since a pound of fat has more volume than a pound of muscle the scale can be deceiving and at times really frustrating.A great strategy to track your changing body is to take a picture about once a month just in your underwear.

I personal trained my way through undergrad and almost all of my clients had weight loss goals. I had many clients become very frustrated and questioning why they were working so hard when the scale wasn't moving much but when you asked them how their clothing were fitting it was much looser.

Best of luck on your weight loss goal! Stick it out and you'll have a lot more energy and have a nice boost to yourself esteem!

Edited by crazyquick23 2010-02-21 3:27 PM
2010-02-21 3:39 PM
in reply to: #2683792

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Subject: RE: Calf cramps
Lots of good advice here already - definitely run before weights. Try some bike workouts before your runs if you really want to train for a tri race. I used to have bad calf achilles cramping during my first year/last year of training. I found two causes. Nutrition and training. First, I wasn't taking enough hydration with electrolytes during workouts. I also began taking a calcium supplement which also helped. Training wise, my calves would always cramp up after 1500 yds. of swimming and be incredibly painful if I'd done a hard bike or run the night before. Another factor was my extreme push off the wall. That begins to hurt after 50+ times. I always use an electrolyte drink and I guess my conditioning is much better since I no longer experience cramps despite harder workouts. If I begin to feel them start during a swim I just back off 50% on the wall push. Problem solved for me. I wish you good luck on your training and races.


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