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Loads of advice, thanks all. Being of a scientific bent and working in an evidence based field I can't ignore the facts that no-one has actually linked electrolyte loss to cramping.
However.
I am an impressionable scamp so I've ordered some Nunn tablets and it's the excuse I needed to stick a Garmin on the credit card.
I'm off on the DrP gnarmac and grimacing ride on Sunday so I'll mix these up with some strategic stretching and keeping an eye on my heart rate.
Cheers
James
A lot of this has already been covered but a few points coming from experience of having been both very fit and very unfit.
- Sweating has little to do with fitness. Some people sweat more than others. I sweat the same regardless of fitness.
- I sweat lots but never have cramping problems. I don't believe that they're directly connected
- I have raced with people who were very fit and who regularly got cramp. Again, fitness and cramping aren't directly connected.
I learned that my leg cramps were the result of muscle fatigue, not salt shortages. I've successfully extended my range and endurance by eating during the ride more frequently than I thought would be necessary. Every 45minutes!
I used to suffer similar cramp during long rides, and also I regularly got cramp in feet and calves during the night.
I started taking Magnesium each morning in the form of 'Floradax' liquid from Holland and Barrat. I very rarely get any cramp now.
I think the key here is to find what works for you.
It doesn't matter what the "science" or anybody else says, if it works for you then do it.
Electrolytes and fluids are the key. When I was regularly training in 40 plus degrees in UAE, I would suffer more frequently than when riding in the temperate UK. It wasn't a fitness thing.
I'd go through 10 litres of water and adding electrolytes made it possible to ride.
My experience of cramp from running and its prevention is all in the build up to the race. I was trying to manage it by using Xero tablets in my drink during the run and would still end up with cramps during the run. I then started to put the Xero tablets in water as weak mix (I don't add salts to any of my food) during the week commencing. I found that I got no cramps at all. I was also using a foam roller during the week too. Don't think the later had anything to do with preventing the cramps but worth mentioning. During the race I switched from using Xero tablets to Power Bar IsoMax powder mix as I couldn't stomach energy gels.