Recovering from cramps

[pbrizzolari]

Hi Guys,

 

 

 

so my brother and I did our first 70km mountain bike race today and although we had no real issue from a cardio fitness perspective he was cramping from about 50km and I started cramping at about 65km.

 

 

 

So what I was wondering is what amazing remedies other people use to avoid this or if it is just a question of doing more long rides. We really enjoyed the race up to the point where he started cramping but he ended up coming second last because of it.

[Guest Agteros]

Rennies and/or training

['Dale]

Overexertion is the most common understanding for cramps.

 

Like the 'short-circuiting' of muscles due to overload.

 

 

 

Training more is one way through.

 

[pbrizzolari]

Thanks guys, I figured it was overexertion, like when you first start riding you get cramps after 30km but after riding that distance for awhile they disappear.

 

 

 

One of the girls on the ride today said that disprin helps if you do get cramps but it didn't really seem to help my brother. I haven't tried rennies before.

[Spurzzz]

hi - try Magnesium like Slow mag ... does wonders

[Boeloes]

Supplements SA`s pine bark- Sharks rugby team used it. 

[pbrizzolari]

Thanks guys,

 

after reading up a bit more it seems as though the slow mag idea should work for me. I do a lot of weight training so I am probably magnesium deficient. Same applies to my brother.

 

 

 

Thanks for the ideas. pbrizzolari2010-02-13 15:04:13

[deanbean]

Conditioning, stretching, and repeat. An interesting read on cramps

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2007/11/muscle-cramps-part-1-theories-and.html

 

 

[Chubba]

Why rennies?

 

Does USN crampblock work?

[SwissVan]

Thanks guys' date='
after reading up a bit more it seems as though the slow mag idea should work for me. I do a lot of weight training so I am probably magnesium deficient. Same applies to my brother.

Thanks for the ideas. [/quote']

 

Supplements like slomag which you need to take on a regular basis are a waste of time unless you have a definite deficiency, i.e. if a Docter prescribes it. Chances are all slomag will do is make your stomach work better i.e. a LOT better

 

If you feel cramps coming on during an event try stretch the affected muscle gently ASAP and then continue at a easier pace. Dont wait for the cramps to reach "the crippling stage" before you try do something about them.

Sucking a rennies as soon as the cramps start has been known to help as well.

 

 

[ianrodger]

swissvan is correct; unless you're a dedicated anorexic or have a very odd diet you wont be running a magnesium deficiency. Plenty studies have found no magnesium deficiency in crampers.

 

you rode too hard for your level of fitness. start easier, ride a sensible cadence 85 upwards and do more trinaing at race pace.

[Mr Legs]

I also cramp during endurance events, running or cycling 4 hrs +.

 

I sweat a lot and tried the following:

 

Extra teaspoon of table salt in my pre race hydration drinks with lots of extra water,  no notable difference

 

USN'S Crampblock prior and during the event, worked for me during an 8 hour event, but i was well prepared and never pushed myself into the red zone.

 

But nothing beats good honest long distance  training.

 

As one of my cycling buddues says: You get cramps because you have taken your muscles to a place they haven't been before and they do not like it there.

[Guest Agteros]

Why Rennies? There is anecdotal evidence on the hub that it works for some (and not for others).

 

That said, I have anecdotal evidence that sitting on a newspaper works for motion sickness for car trips on twisty gravel roads as welll.

 

The only real answer is to train more (not only volume, but intensity as wel)

[Bram_on_Madone]

Agreed - the more I train, the less I cramp.  If I do feel a bit of cramping coming on, I just drop a few gears and pick up the cadence - helps most of the time.

[eitan]

The reason why Rennies (and Eno's and Bicarb) works is because of the antacid properties. Lactic acid is supposedly neutralised by it.

[Baron]

I asked my Pharmacist why does rennie work for cramps and the answer is that rennies is have a lot of Magnesium