Hi
I have unwittingly got a mate into cycling
Goodness knows how, he just prob lost the will to live listening to me talking bikes all the time
Hes a fit bloke and runs a lot usually doing 2-3 marathons a year
He is totally not a couch potato
So I accept running and cycling are just not the same
Im a decently fit cyclist but if I ever try and run the fitness just isnt there
My pals problem is his hamstrings
He has had the bike for a month or so and has been out on it 1-2 times a week
The day after each ride he says he has horrible hamstring cramps
Now as I kind of got him into cycling I feel a bit responsible
Can anyone else relate to fit runners having issues with hamstrings when taking up cycling?
And if so what helped?
On the one hand I can see that not many people other than cyclists and rowers actually use their hamstrings
But on the other he is using flatties and I cant see a novice generating much power on the upstroke to worry themselves - and after all hes a bl00dy fit runner
Finally I dont fancy him and a massage is totally out of the question
🙂
Thanks
I take it he's tried stretching? Both before and after riding - though be careful it's the right kind of stretching.
Hmmm, I found it went the other way; long time cyclist getting back into running and loads of hamstring probs. All I do is listen to my body and ease off when need be, loads of stretching and just slowly getting used to the new demands on my body.
I agree with aviemoron; cycling shortens and stiffens the hamstrings, running stretches them out..... he might just be stiff from a change of excercise pattern and this might ease over time? tell him to give it another month and stretch his hamstrings 3 times a day (at least) until they ease...
A little off track with the original post - but related in terms of the hamstrings.
I've now got a groin strain and I'm off the bike at the moment, having professional advice about how to handle this. Basically its down to me having a little play in the left hand side of my hip and not doing any stretching exercises before and after riding.
Hamstrings are as tight as a drum as well after countless years of cycling without any stretching.
When I'm recovered I'll be stretching before and after each ride.
His heart and lungs can cope easily but his legs are not used to it.
I used to run 20 miles easily after building up the fitness over 6 months.
Then a mate got me out to Cwymm Carn without being on a bike other than commuting 2 miles.
Shot up the climb no prob, kept up pace etc, 2 metres back to the car park-cramp in every leg muscle nearly!
He's got to allow his body to get used to and make sure he's properly hydrated with electrolyte and carbs.
Get flexible too as some muscles can tighten up and cause other muscles to cramp.
What zaskar says is very true - tell your mate to back off and take it very easy.
Essentially he has good aerobic fitnes from running but his legs are not used to the particular stresses that cycling puts them under. He must realise that he could be at serious risk of a long lasting injury. IMHO he should visit a good sports physio at least and stretch very carefully
Also perhaps try one of these but take it easy they can be painful and he must know what he's doing:
http://store.tptherapy.com/Trigger_Point_Quadballer_p/tpt-tpq.htm
I use one for stretching my ITB which has in part been caused by doing the opposite - getting into running after lots of biking, my aerobic fitness carried me through but my legs were'nt used to it -the result an ITB problem for the last 4 years!!