Cramp Blockers

[Swim.Bike.Run]

Hi All,

 

What tabs, powders etc are you using to block cramps?

I got a bit of cramp on the xterra and I am looking to do an ultra tri, so any advice on brands would be useful, thanks!

 

I want stuff I can use before-hand and during the race - I'm focussed more on prevention than cure.

 

Re,

Barend.

Edited February 10, 2012 by Spartan226

[Falco]

The best cramp blocker you can get is correct and adequate training.

Costs very little in Rands, but plenty in time and pain.

[Lucky Luke.]

I agree with Falco. I did a lot of long tempo rides during the holidays and I've hardly cramped at all this season, despite some very hard racing.

 

Saying that, I still stack cramp blockers - ideally for a few days before a race - as I'd rather be sure they're not going to get me. I also have a small container which I put some emergency tablets in - in case I start cramping whilst riding.

 

Far as I know most of these tablets contain more or less the same stuff. I've been using FiT anti-lac tablets. About 70 bucks for a box.

[Swim.Bike.Run]

Thanks Falco,

I hear you on the training and I am training 5-6 days a week.

My nutrition is good and I take supplements.

I have NEVER gotten cramps so it never crossed my mind.

 

The weird thing is that I picked up the cramp in my calf during the swim.

I was stressing about the swim a bit as it was my 1st open water swim.

I thus think it might have been "stress" induced rather than a lack of training or inadequate nutrition.

As it was so early in the race - it could not have been dehydration.

 

So maybe the cramp blocker will be for the head - as the body should be fine

[Top Fuel]

Salt tablets from the chemist. I pop 2 about every hour. What your body doesn't need it will get rid of. Simple.

[Tiny K]

Agree with Falco - I have not had a cramp in a long time (if I prepped well for the race).

 

Endurolytes is what a DC 2010 team member uses - she used them to prevent the chance of cramps - like what Lucky Luke is doing.

[Tiny K]

Thanks Falco,

I hear you on the training and I am training 5-6 days a week.

My nutrition is good and I take supplements.

I have NEVER gotten cramps so it never crossed my mind.

 

The weird thing is that I picked up the cramp in my calf during the swim.

I was stressing about the swim a bit as it was my 1st open water swim.

I thus think it might have been "stress" induced rather than a lack of training or inadequate nutrition.

As it was so early in the race - it could not have been dehydration.

 

So maybe the cramp blocker will be for the head - as the body should be fine

 

In that case, three pink smarties before the race will work for you.

[Selous Scout (aka LegTrap)]

I suffered with cramps for MANY years before discovering that Lipitor (for cholestrol) can give you cramps.I changed medication to Cresto and hey presto,no more cramps.I think the best is to make sure you train hard enough.

I use Cramp Block,Rennies and Rehydrate in my bottles which all help as well.

[Stretch]

train yes, but in case.....i have been told Enduren cramp&fatigue tablets are good. I have used cramp ease from the chemist and those seem to do nothing. I use FiT powder for drinking so i am thinking i should try those FiT tabs lucky luke was talking about

[SwissVan]

Thanks Falco,

I hear you on the training and I am training 5-6 days a week.

My nutrition is good and I take supplements.

I have NEVER gotten cramps so it never crossed my mind.

 

The weird thing is that I picked up the cramp in my calf during the swim.

I was stressing about the swim a bit as it was my 1st open water swim.

I thus think it might have been "stress" induced rather than a lack of training or inadequate nutrition.

As it was so early in the race - it could not have been dehydration.

 

So maybe the cramp blocker will be for the head - as the body should be fine

 

Maybe you were kicking to much? How hard and fast were you kicking at the time it happened?

Kicking for more speed in swim tri's is overated, kick enough to keep your legs floating in line with your body and thats it imo....

[Swim.Bike.Run]

Maybe you were kicking to much? How hard and fast were you kicking at the time it happened?

Kicking for more speed in swim tri's is overated, kick enough to keep your legs floating in line with your body and thats it imo....

 

That is the weirdest part - I'm using the Total Immersion style of swimming - where you basically kick only once for every arm stroke.

And I wasn't pushing, since it was my 1st open water swim - so it could not have been from exertion.

 

And for the next guy who is going to ask "Have you trained for this distance?" - Yes I used the same technique I used in training and yes I have done many 1.5 ks in the pool!

[NotSoBigBen]

My boet swears by Rennies .....

[SwissVan]

That is the weirdest part - I'm using the Total Immersion style of swimming - where you basically kick only once for every arm stroke.

And I wasn't pushing, since it was my 1st open water swim - so it could not have been from exertion.

 

And for the next guy who is going to ask "Have you trained for this distance?" - Yes I used the same technique I used in training and yes I have done many 1.5 ks in the pool!

 

I would think that you had some sort of muscle spasm from some sort of overload either at the time or earlier in training or maybe even from cold water....and not a cramp as in cramp from nutrition.

 

Have you ever used flippers (in training....)?

I had the same problem a few years ago where I was using a flipper and my calf on the leg with the flipper got a spasm all of a sudden, it did not feel like a cramp which normaly gives you some kind of warning but it hurt like hell and I could not swim with the flipper for the rest of the session.

 

I sometimes get a cramp / spasm in my foot (feels like the plantar fascia tissue area) while swimming, luckily it goes away as quick as it appears.

 

Hope you figure it out, let us know if you do

[majestic]

While training for IM last year we discovered a product called A Vogels alkaline powder. From any chemist. Sorted the cramping out fast.

[Swim.Bike.Run]

Thanks guys,

 

I'll check out the cramp block products you mentioned and hopefully it doesn't happen again.

Enjoy the weekend!

[walkerr]

I was fine for first couple of years, then BAM - cramps almost every ride.

 

Better training has def helped. Electrolytes I think less so once I got my fluids and enery drinks balanced out. Although 1x Eno tabs & 3x Magnesium tabs when they first strike on a ride has helped keep them at bay especially on big hills. Stopped taking cramp block, didn't help much either way for the expense.

 

Not relevant to your swimming, but have a compact crank has given me a lower hill gear meaning I can spin more - which definitely allows me to cycle through the cramps rather than get off and walk.

 

The big thing that strikes me is this part of your comment:

 

I was stressing about the swim a bit as it was my 1st open water swim.

I thus think it might have been "stress" induced rather than a lack of training or inadequate nutrition.

 

When I first got cramps I did a lot of reading and was dismayed by how little real science there was to help. But one article I found was on a study that shown one trigger for cramp is a signal from the brain that sends the muscle into spasm. That rings true with me - quite often my cramps set in at the exact same spot of a given ride, regardless of my training level, and it's often points I'm mentally stressing - like Visserhoek for example. So your mental state seems to have a part to play to me.

Edited February 10, 2012 by walkerr