leg cramps - Triathlon Week

ddguier · 08-11-2006, 04:28 PM

I am 53 years old and have been a runner all my life. Last weekend I finish my second Tri. It was a sprint. I did pretty good for me. The problem is that on the bike and more so on the run I get calf leg cramps. Sometimes so bad I have to walk. I just had my yearly physical and blood test and eveything is fine. I try to take gu and as much fliuds as possible. Do I need more fluids? Any suggestions? I am going to anothe Tri, an Olympic distance, on Sept 9 and I want to have a good run.

sfricks · 08-13-2006, 01:03 PM

dd,
Careful on nutrition intake with the short races. You shouldn't need it on a sprint. If you're anaerobic you're getting everything you need from your muscles. Ingesting solids or gels may lead to stomach cramps. You have a really hard time digesting anything at all if you're hammering. You will need some energy on the Oly bike. GU is a good choice but take it all in no later than 15 minutes before T2.

As far as the calf cramps, it could be potassium. Try Enduralytes. You need to PRACTICE with these if you decide to use them. If so, 1 before the race might do it for you. Also try stretching your quads and calfs on the bike.

Good Luck!

ddguier · 08-14-2006, 05:31 AM

Thanks Scott. I am trying to be real careful. I did a little research on the web and had already picked up the potassium supplement. I also picked up some Calcium with vitamin D and Magnesium. They are suppose to help, too. I did my longest bike ride the other day, 60 miles. I didn't feel good, but made the ride anyway. I took in 3 bottles of fluids, 3 gu's, and tried 2 salt tablets. One about 45 mins in the ride and one about 2 hours in. The ride took 3.25.00. I seemed to be fine the next day when I did a 6.6 run. Just don't want to get injured. I have been working too hard. I now have two sprints under my belt. I will let you know how my Oly Tri goes on Sep 9, in Lake Geneva, Wi.

Thanks- Dguier

sfricks · 08-14-2006, 01:43 PM

Great! Keep us posted on the Oly! Only water for 10 minutes after the swim to let your stomach settle.

If you're riding sub-80% Max Heart Rate (MHR), try taking in more energy for the 2+ hour rides. Theoretically you should have taken in 1000 calories. 3x fluids (200~ calories each ???) + 3 GUs (100 calories) leaves you a litte short. If your fluid choices were not GA Endurance, Accelerade or the like, you'd fall even further behind. A great post ride enegry drink is good old Florida OJ.