|   cramp prevention | mt_stein
Nov 25, 2003 5:55 AM | | Over the last several years I have been competing in endurance type racing (24 hour events and 50 mile races). The problem is no matter what type of fluids (Cytomax, Gatorade, etc.) I drink or food (gels, Clif bars) I eat, cramping in the calves and quads is always my downfall.
Any nutrition suggestions?? |
| re: cramp prevention | brucerobs
Nov 28, 2003 10:58 PM | | I have major bouts w/ leg cramps. No specific recommendations but a few things helped me this year in all but one race. I have to drink sports drinks w/ electrolytes/sodium in large quantities while riding, or I will cramp in my quads. I have had success with Thermotabs (glorified salt tabs)as a supplement as well, but be careful with them as they can dehydrate you w/out adequate water, so experiment on long training rides to find your optimum amount. My doc told me that the research he has seen shows that they are related to dehydration, E-lyte imbalances caused by too much water/too little replenishment, improper training for race pace, or a combination of any of the above. They can be hard to narrow down. Do you get them while training too? |
| re: cramp prevention | SoloWithOthers
Dec 9, 2003 6:39 AM | | I MUST use some kind of electrolyte tablets for any thing over 15 miles or in extreeme hot weather (like we have alot of in TX) During the ouchita challenge (63 miles) I took two caps per hour and drank 300oz. of Accelerade. Same routine for the "Hotter'N Hell 100" road race. I am known to sweat alot and at 6'5" 230lbs. you might want to adjust portions accordingly.
Without the tablets, I am doubled over with cramps in 20 miles. With them I can go all day. We'll see how leadville goes this summer.
Mike |
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