[maollila]

Hello all, has anyone out there solved cramping issues? I’ve had 2 races so far this year, a 50k and a 25k, and I cramped towards the end of both of them, despite running some of my best ever results. I’ve built a big aerobic base over the winter and in both my races I was able to push the pace to new intensities, thanks to TftUA. The limiting factor was muscle cramps in both cases, on the right side of my body only, starting with calf and working its way up the leg. It was frustrating to watch the runners in the front of the field just ahead of me in the final kilometers but unable to get my right leg working! Neither of my races were hot but it’s still possible I had an electrolyte imbalance. Have any of you found ways to overcome cramping either through training or nutrition? Looking forward to your wisdom and any insight, thanks!

[Scott Johnston]

It might be that this newfound ability to push to new intensities is what is causing the cramping.  It could be muscle fatigue that is causing it.  I’d try introducing some higher-intensity running to build more specific endurance.  If you’ve not been doing any intensity, start with strides only 10-20 sec at a fun, fast pace, not a full sprint.  I’d add hill sprints if you are not already doing them. Lastly, I would add tempo runs in Z3. Start with something like 2×10-15minutes with a 2-3 min walking recovery between.  Work the tempo run volume up to 60min over a could of months.  This will build a very specific type of muscular endurance that might help the cramps.

Scott

[maollila]

Thanks Scott, that makes sense. I’m going to start integrating more Z3 into my training for muscular endurance.

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