Calf Cramp - Triathlon Week

ejames · 05-18-2005, 05:22 AM

I recently completed my first sprint triathlon and towards the end of the bike stage felt my left calf begin to cramp slightly. By the time I reached the end of the bike stage both of my calf muscles were in complete spasm and I could hardly walk properly so I sort of stumbled through the run stage as best I could. Apart from this and not being able to get my wet suit off (!) I really enjoyed it.

I just wonder if anyone else has experienced this sort of problem and what I could do about it. One factor which may have contibuted to it is that I currently use toe clips on my bike rather than proper clip on bike shoes and I feel that my heal is in a raised position compared to my toes (like a high healed shoes position) which might be tensing up my calf muscle. Does anyone know what the optimum foot position is for cycling or if it's just different for everyone ?

I've also heard that standing up in your pedals occasionally will stretch out your calf muscles and help prevent cramp.

Any comments or thoughts would be welcome.

julian · 05-19-2005, 01:04 AM

I also have the same problem with my calfs when i'm using my indoor training bike which also has toe clips, but it doesn't start untill I jump of the bike and go for a run. I do not get the same problem when i'm using my race bike which has proper race shoes it may be a coincidence.You may want to buy new pedals and shoes it could help and would certainly improve your bike time!

Cheers.
Julian.

Spike10 · 05-19-2005, 07:45 AM

Whenever I start to cramp during or after any physical activity (too many to mention) I will give my body some Quinine, it can be found in almost any commercial Tonic waters, add a splash of Gin and viola, your body and mind start to relax. I don't know why this works but several years ago I had severe cramps all over, almost every day, I felt like I was 90 years old and ready to cash in my chips when a friend said that she took Quinine tablets and it helped her with muscle cramps. Now whenever the larger muscle groups start to give that signal I just have a glass of ice cold tonic water and it works for me. I have also found that milk will do very much the same thing but milk and gin is nasty!
Good luck.
Spike.

pyschosyd · 05-19-2005, 05:33 PM

I agree with spike that tonic water is a great solution to cramps. Not allways practical on the bike though. I had a similar situation happen to me on the weekend. I was doing a duathlon and about 13 km into the bike my calves were on the verge of cramping. I think it might have been the cold, but I popped a power gel and downed as much water as I could, and by the time I was off the bike i was in good shape(relatively) again.
Just my experience though as I am running clipless pedals.
Good luck

Barry the Biker · 08-18-2005, 03:08 AM

No solutions I'm afriad - just adding to the debate. I also have developed calf cramping problems and am seeking a solution. Although mainly a middle distance athlete, I have been riding for 30 (or more) years and over the past 5 years covered around 15,000 miles including Pyreness, Alps, Wales, time trials, audax up to 150 miles etc. Up until this year, I have never sufferred from cramp in the calves. However, this year, I have only sufferred on 10M TTs (3 times). The first time was in the right calf, the second in both and the third in the left. It usually comes on after about 15 mins when I have to really ease up for about 2 mins to allow me to get to a decent pace. I have not changed the bike or the set up at all. A real nuisance! Maybe its age related?? (I've reached 50!).

Barry the Biker · 08-18-2005, 03:10 AM

No solutions I'm afraid - just adding to the debate. I also have developed calf cramping problems and am seeking a solution. Although mainly a middle distance athlete, I have been riding for 30 (or more) years and over the past 5 years covered around 15,000 miles including Pyreness, Alps, Wales, time trials, audax up to 150 miles etc. Up until this year, I have never sufferred from cramp in the calves. However, this year, I have only sufferred on 10M TTs (3 times). The first time was in the right calf, the second in both and the third in the left. It usually comes on after about 15 mins when I have to really ease up for about 2 mins to allow me to get back to a decent pace. I have not changed the bike or the set up at all. A real nuisance! Maybe its age related?? (I've reached 50!).

Barry the Biker · 08-18-2005, 03:12 AM

No solutions I'm afraid - just adding to the debate. I also have developed calf cramping problems and am seeking a solution. Although mainly a middle distance athlete, I have been riding for 30 (or more) years and over the past 5 years covered around 15,000 miles including Pyreness, Alps, Wales, time trials, audax up to 150 miles etc. Up until this year, I have never sufferred from cramp in the calves. However, this year, I have only sufferred on 10M TTs (3 times). The first time was in the right calf, the second in both and the third in the left. It usually comes on after about 15 mins when I have to really ease up for about 2 mins to allow me to get back to a decent pace. I have not changed the bike or the set up at all. A real nuisance! Maybe its age related?? (I've reached 50!).

sfricks · 08-20-2005, 01:00 PM

Just a thought. Has anyone consider their level of hydration and electrolyte balance? Make very sure you drink enough fluids several days before the event so that your urine runs clear. If it's yellow, you're dehydrated and yes, you certainly will cramp. *** WARNING! DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. See related articles on this forum for more information. *** If it's clear and you still cramp, try Enduralyte caps or Lava Salts. Hope this helps.