Loved it! But, what went wrong? - Triathlon Week

Beaner · 09-19-2005, 05:37 AM

So my first triathlon was a success. What an AMAZING experience. I will, in no doubt takle some more next year. For my first tri, an oly, I finished in 2:30 min. Not bad, but, had my body cooperated, I could have shaved significant time off that pace.

Here's what happened...

The swim started, and I immediately got a slight foot cramp. When it subsided, my left calf got a cramp at around 700Meters. It too subsided. I finished the swim in 30 minutes only to exit the water with slight cramping in my two calves and one in my right quad.
When I got on my bike, I could not turn the pedals because my calves had cramped completely, I spent a good minute stretching out my calves on my pedals before I could loosen them enough to bike. It worked.
My bike segment was going fine. At around 25KM in, however, I started to get some abdominal pain. I had consumed a gel about 15 minutes earlier (nothing new--I had practiced using the same gel). As I was completing the bike, the cramping got worse. I knew that if they didn't pass in time for my run, I might be in trouble. I finished the bike in 1:10min.
T2 was quick. I started the run with the cramps and they quckly became unbearable (my intestines felt knotted!). At around the 2K mark, I had to turn my run into a quick walk. The cramps eased, I started to run, cramps came back, walked, cramps subsided, picked up the pace again. This all happened between the 2-4k mark. When the cramps returned, I was determined to run through them. I simply buried my fingers deep inside my gut--almost presure pointing the cramps. I did not remove my hands from my gut for the duration of the run.
I finished the run in 45 min.--significantly slower than my usual pace.

What happened? I spent the entire week hydrating and carbo loading. I went into the race well rested (enough). Why all the cramping?

All-in-all, competing in, and, finishing the tri was one of the best experiences of my life. I love it! I want more. But, I want to avoid the cramping that plagued my first experience. Any thoughts?

Also, before I forget, Thanks for all the great advise before the race. Especially, Michael Smartt and S(cott)Fricks.

sprint50:43mike · 09-19-2005, 07:31 AM

relax, its just a day ind the park with frends you dont know. Enjoy, talk with other's while you are there and have fun.

Beaner · 09-19-2005, 07:33 AM

thx. did. had a great time. still want to know about all the cramping.

tri4hale · 09-19-2005, 07:57 AM

some cramping is from hydrating wrong, common misconseption is to load with water. water is good to a point, but it tends to flush the electrolites from your body in the process raising the risk of cramps.
also breathing plays a big part in ab cramps. a trick that has worked for me sence my running days is to focus on breathing and forceing the air out like i would if i was playing a trumpet. (tight lips and steady force exhaling. these are just the most common reasons for cramping. i know there are other factors, but this should help with the majority of them. good luck, congratulations and welcome to the world of triathlon.

BlueFalcon · 09-19-2005, 08:18 AM

No mention of stretching within your post. Do you feel you significantly stretched before the start and on/off within 24hrs of start? A cramp so soon into swim sounds like initial muscle tightness. As for stomach cramps... You can never get enough fluids on the course, but did you take occasional 2-3 mouthfuls or down half a bottle in one long gulp followed by a full Powerbar? You mentioned one gel, anything else? How was your posture during the bike? An arched-back posture, stretching the abdominals and chest cavity always helps. You may have been doing all this, but it's amazing how people don't relax and think about the basics, instead getting caught up in a frenzied race start, transition, adrenaline rush, etc.

How were the "butterflies", anxiety, leading up to race start? Do you feel you were dumping a lot of gastic acid into your system only to have your muscles and cardio system feed on it? Sprint50:43mike's recommendation could be the best medicine here.

More details about your 24hr, 12hr, and 2hr pre-race diet and stretching could harbor more insight.

Beaner · 09-19-2005, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueFalcon

No mention of stretching within your post. Do you feel you significantly stretched before the start and on/off within 24hrs of start? A cramp so soon into swim sounds like initial muscle tightness. As for stomach cramps... You can never get enough fluids on the course, but did you take occasional 2-3 mouthfuls or down half a bottle in one long gulp followed by a full Powerbar? You mentioned one gel, anything else? How was your posture during the bike? An arched-back posture, stretching the abdominals and chest cavity always helps. You may have been doing all this, but it's amazing how people don't relax and think about the basics, instead getting caught up in a frenzied race start, transition, adrenaline rush, etc.

How were the "butterflies", anxiety, leading up to race start? Do you feel you were dumping a lot of gastic acid into your system only to have your muscles and cardio system feed on it? Sprint50:43mike's recommendation could be the best medicine here.

More details about your 24hr, 12hr, and 2hr pre-race diet and stretching could harbor more insight.

I definately had a good, complete stretching session the afternoon before the race. The morning of, I loosened up and strectched out some body parts but definately not a full stretch routine. As for food/hydration the morning of the race...My wave was at 11:30. I consumed about 16oz of liquid at 6:00, another 16oz @ 8, and sipped another 20oz bottle of GU20 up until the race. I ate a small bowl of cereal and had a bagel @ 7:00, I ate a cliff bar 1 hr. before the start and had a gel 20 minutes before the race.
The pre-race anxiety, although present, wasn't overwhelming (Although I did get a bit frenzied at the start of the swim as it was my frist time swimming in a group).

themenace · 09-19-2005, 01:01 PM

How long was the race? Sounds like a 700/30k/7k. I don't have that much experience but in a race that's around 2 hrs, I'm not sure you need all those bars and gels. Your body stores should be enough with some electrolyte suppliment and water. Those with more experience might be more specific.

Beaner · 09-19-2005, 01:13 PM

the race was an olympic distance--1.5/40/10. With the cramping, I did it in 2 1/2 hrs. For future, I wonder if my glycogen stores would provide sufficient energy, downing nothing but an electro drink during the race. hmmmmmmmmm? Good question. THX!

Anyone have a definitive answer?

themenace · 09-19-2005, 01:53 PM

Dang, that's a good time even if you were feeling good. Think what you can do when you've straightened out your cramping.

sfricks · 09-21-2005, 08:36 AM

I have heard that oxygen debt can effect people differently. I get low back cramps, a fellow cyclist gets (of all things) neck cramps. All disappear with reduced effort and pace. Next time you cramp, see if that could be the culprit by reducing the pace. Secondly, if you're the least bit dehydrated, you're body can react strangely. Make certain your urine is absolutely clear or pale yellow at minimum. Finally, I usually take one GU shot at the end of the bike. Your body stores 2-3 hours of energy in muscle glycogen. The GU may be mental but I feel it starts my run off right. Remember, your body won't assimilate more than 300 calories per hour. If you take in more, you're begging for GI issues. Good luck!