General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tight wetsuit cause calf cramps? Rss Feed  
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2013-08-04 2:27 PM

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Master
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Central Indiana
Subject: Tight wetsuit cause calf cramps?
Did an Oly tri today & had some BAD calf cramps at T1. They were so bad I fell to my back & couldn't get my wetsuit off the legs for ~2min. This has happened to me only one other time and it was while wearing the same wetsuit during an Oly. This has never happened to me without a wetsuit, and never during a sprint WITH this suit. Today conditions were perfect (air temp low 60's, water temp 75), I did a brief warm-up swim, my swim effort was moderate, & my kick effort (2bt kick) was very low. Once I got myself on my bloody bike I was fine. Posted solid bike leg & the run was an Oly PR.
I'm particularly PO'ed 'cause today's painfully long T1 contributed to missing AG podium (placed 4th). This sleeveless suit seems to fit me fine in chest, torso length, & thighs, but I've always felt the calfs were tight. Could that suit really be so tight it limits blood flow to the gastroc muscles enough to cause calf cramps during med-length swims? If so, is there a way to safely stretch the calfs of the suit for more personalized fit? (BTW-I'm 6ft/170#- so hardly the body-builder physique)


2013-08-04 2:36 PM
in reply to: Oldteen

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Master
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Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Tight wetsuit cause calf cramps?
I've felt this happen to me too, definitely the squeeze of the wetsuit makes my calves twitchy ...the cramps usually aren't too much of a problem after warming up...but it is annoying.
2013-08-04 4:48 PM
in reply to: Oldteen

New user
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Bremerton, WA
Subject: RE: Tight wetsuit cause calf cramps?
My training partner had the same cramping problem. She ended up cutting her wetsuit legs just below her knees and has had no issues since.
2013-08-04 10:53 PM
in reply to: bikerchick2930


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Subject: RE: Tight wetsuit cause calf cramps?
I haven't had the pleasure of this experience with a wetsuit yet, hadn't thought about that problem, glad I saw this thread so I don't have an issue.

BUT...

I have had cramping issues under similar conditions. Had a pair of grappling shin guards that weren't true-to-size, ran way too small. 20min of kickboxing in them and my calves would lock up like Fort Knox.
2013-08-04 11:19 PM
in reply to: 0

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Veteran
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Great White North
Subject: RE: Tight wetsuit cause calf cramps?
Cut the suit... most top guys do it so it comes off easier.


http://triplethreattriathlon.blogspot.ca/2013/05/takeaways.html


I cut mine 1-2" at a time until I get it the way like it, I took another 1" off after this picture was taken ...


Edited by simpsonbo 2013-08-04 11:20 PM
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