leg cramps

rossgalway
rossgalway Posts: 43
edited March 2008 in Health, fitness & training
For some reason I have started to cramp during the last 2 xc races, after about 1 - 1 1/2 hours racing. It didn't happen last year. Before yesterdays race I had beans and toast for breakfast. I ate 4 bananas, a power bar and a few fig rolls, drank luzosade sport before the race and drank high5 energy drink and 2 gels during it. Over the winter i've been mostly on the road bike and spin classes. Anyone got any ideas how to stop leg cramp? Cheers.

Comments

  • Dazzza
    Dazzza Posts: 2,364
    I used to get this when hitting the gym hard, i use 1000mg vit c and the cramp gradually went away.

    Most will say fluids but i was getting plenty of that and electolytes.
    The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
    Giant Anthem X
  • Pippen33
    Pippen33 Posts: 235
    cramp is caused by prolonged tightening of that particular muscle, leading to it shortening and is usually a result of using the muscle too much & repetitively. So try having a good stretch and warmup before hitting the trail

    A loss of salt through sweat can affect the way your muscles work too.
    spammer
  • Pippen33
    Pippen33 Posts: 235
    Oh yeah, and because you had a lot to eat before the race your legs will have had less blood to take oxygen from because the blood was being 'redirected' if you like to absorb the contents of your stomach/small intestine.

    Thats why they say its a good idea to go to the gym on an empty stomach
    spammer
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    I used to suffer from leg cramps but I seem to have cured myself I eat porridge with sultanas in it an hour before a ride

    for my drink I use Zym electrolyte tablets

    during the ride I refuel with fig rolls for a quick burst of energy and stop half way and eat a peanut butter butty for the long drag home

    it works for me :lol:
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • rossgalway
    rossgalway Posts: 43
    Pippen33 wrote:
    Oh yeah, and because you had a lot to eat before the race your legs will have had less blood to take oxygen from because the blood was being 'redirected' if you like to absorb the contents of your stomach/small intestine.

    Not a lot to eat really!!. Breakfast at 8am. Ate the rest between then and my race at 1.30pm. Should I be having less?
  • Pippen33
    Pippen33 Posts: 235
    Well probably not the food then, but still a possible cause of cramps for some people.
    spammer

Categories