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Hamstring Cramps

 
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Anonymous
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:38 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Hamstring Cramps Reply with quote

So why does punching your muscle help get rid of cramps.


Terlingua took a piece of me this year. With the mountain in sight on the second climb I got off the bike to drain all fluids and consume what ever I had left in the bottle. The devil was waiting for me at the base of the mountain on the second lap asking for my soul in return for pain free passage up the climb.

I ignored him, this granted me a double shot of right hamstring cramps. I tried a couple of techniques to get rid of this soon to be debilitating body breakdown. I first slid back in the saddle this did not work. Then I got off the bike and was jogging with one stiff leg up the mountain this was better at first but then became worse. I re mounted on the bike and just began punching the back side of my leg with curved fist. I don't know why this worked but it did after about 15 hard as could punches the cramps went away. Maybe I knocked some potassium and electrolyte's loose that were hanging out on the muscle walls.


These were 2 second cramps on the up stroke that were growing in intensity and duration unless I stopped pedaling for a second.

I was not pulling up on my up stroke.

These cramps were most likley do to my small breakfast and small feeds during the ride. 1waffle with peanut butter for breakfast.
4 bottles of Gatorade and 3 Guo's during the race, just wasn't enough, 185 pound racer.

LemE know what you think. THANKS
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The Bike Doc
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:26 am GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

You may well have been running a deficit on your fluid intake. Conditioned athletes can loose two quarts of sweat an hour. I am a big fan of Gatorade because it is inexpensive, and is readily available in many palatable flavors. Use a hydration system like a CamelBak which makes it much easier for you to drink while you are on the ride or run. Check your weight (in the buff is best) prework out or race and again immediately afterwards. For every pound you are down post workout or race, you were deficient in your fluid replacement by 16 ounces. So if you drank one quart (32 ounces) of fluid while racing and you are down two pounds at the end, you need to increase your fluid intake 32 ounces more on top of the 32 ounces you consumed while racing.

Disclaimer: I have no financial connections with Gatorade or CamelBak. I recommend them because they work and are readily available.

Get the book Stretching by Bob Anderson. It is an easy read and provides invaluable information abour correct stretching, exercise specific stretching (including cycling) and the importance of daily stretching routines. Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes then do a series of stretches to help limber up the legs and ward off the cramps. Do stretching after riding and do daily stretching on your off days or rest days as well.

Thanks,
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Paul K. Nolan, MD
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