legs cramped bad during race....

Pacing and/or fitness on the bike is a common cause.

More often than not cramping on the run is either not enough run fitness for the pace or too fast a pace on the bike.

I read a lot on cramping this summer as my right leg cramped up at mile 11 on all three of my Half Marathons this year (resulting in me not hitting my goal in each race despite being on pace through Mile 11).

The most common thing I read was not enough salt. What drinks did you use on the run? Did you carry pretzels, or anything? Do you sweat a lot?

My guess would be run fitness. If your logs are complete it appears you didn't run at all in the week prior to your race, and you were running less than 20 miles/week in the month prior. IMO, longer endurance events like a HIM require more run training to perform well.

I would go with c, pacing the bike too hard for you fitness.

Shane

There are no actual links between exercised induced muscle cramping and salt/electrolyte defficiencies (that are not put out by anyone other than the sports drink and electrolyte pill industries that is).

I would suggest you read other more analytical things on the topic.  Maybe here is a good start:

http://www.sportsscientists.com/search/label/electrolytes

My money is on pacing faster than your fitness level allows.  I can't even remember the last time I cramped training, but I almost always flirt with cramping in my calves during races.

yeah...i tried to follow the plan as best as i could.  but i do agree my run fitness wasn't all there.

i felt good off the bike and the first 6.5 miles i did in 53 min.  which is great, (remember my first HIM) i felt strong but then i started to feel a small cramp and by the time i hit the 8 mile station i slowed down to walk thru it i couldn't get back and start again.

overall HIM distance is great fun.  it does require a bit more training at least for me then olympic races. 

another vote for pacing on the bike.

also, if you paced the bike a bit too hard, its not really going to hit you till mile 6-10 on the run anyway, its not always right away unless you tanked the bike

I had a similar thing happen during my HIM this year. 

I think mine was not enough running fitness along with perhaps pushing harder on the bike than I should have.  (I felt great on the bike - but keeping the speed where I wanted to be into the wind probably had a significant impact on my legs.)

I'm going to do a LOT more running for my races next year.

Rarely, though it does often and unecessarily become the scapegoat.  A lot more often it's, plain and simple, going too hard for your level of fitness.

Edited by the bear 2009-11-14 11:44 AM

I resembled that remark during my HIM this year. I had been dealing with shin splints and my running was way off. Ending up hobbling through the run and ended up with a 2:30 run, at least 30:00 minutes longer than if I hadn't cramped.

When I return for that event in April, I am going to put serious run training in before then.

on friday before the race a cold front came to miami due to the passing hurricane.  the temp was cloudy at about 80 degrees.  very little sun on and off.  PERFECT racing temp. 

heat was not the issue.  my hydration and nutrition seemed almost perfect 3 days prior to race.  1 gel flask 2 bottles of heed on the bike.  1 gel 2 oranges on the run and water and gatorade.  i did take 2 electrolyte pills.

BUT on the bike we did have 25 mph wind with 30-35 mph gusts.  i think this is where i messed up.

Edited by trix 2009-11-14 2:21 PM

I cramp up during the swim, not during the bike or run.  I don't usually wear a wetsuit and had begun to conclude the the cold water (Pacific Ocean) was the culprit  That early in the race I know it isn't fitness, hydration, insufficient nutrition, lack of stretching, not enough electrolytes, too hard on the bike, etc. 

I also cramp a lot in my feet and legs NOT during a race and just last Wednesday asked the doctor about it.  She said to take more zinc.  I got some zinc today (my multivitamin doesn't seem to have any) and will see what that does for me.  Don't know if cramping at home and cramping during a race are likely to have the same cause. 

I did that same race and everyone I talked to had problems on the run due to the outrageous winds on the bike, esp. on the return. It's hard to train for windy conditions like that when we didn't have any wind at all in SoFla until about 2 weeks before the race. I had a buddy win his AG and still come in an hour later than his PB on the same course two years ago. It was my first HIM too but I felt awesome during all my long bike/run bricks (no wind) but wrecked coming off the bike after doing 14mph into that crazy headwind.

yeah its just so unfortunate.  because i felt that i can do at least 1:50 on the run that would put me at a 5:10 finish instead i ran a 2:20 thanks to walking 2 miles.  and i did a 5:40.

During my first tri this summer my quads cramped off the bike big time.  The bike was a hilly course and I had not done enough bricks and my legs were just not ready for it...my entire run my quads were seizing and I had to walk quite a bit.  I am hoping for this not to happen on my next one and plan on taking in salt tabs and making sure my fitness on the bike is up to par for the next race!!

Edited by LaurenSU02 2009-11-14 4:49 PM

It is highly unlikely that the cramping was a result of not enough bricks or a lack of electrolytes.  Rather, I would suspect that like Trix you pushed the bike too hard for your fitness and as a result, suffered on the run.

Build bike fitness and ride a little easier next time and you will be almost assured of a better race.

Shane

x2!