Leg cramps-normal?

I want to know if this is normal, and will eventually go away, or if there might be something wrong.

I've been riding for about a month, about 50-60 miles a week. I'm not having any problems with cramping while I'm riding, usually because I'm not out that long to lose enough salt. Plus I'm adamant about stretching when I get done.

What I am noticing is that my legs feel constantly crampy and tired. Like when I walk up stairs, I get to the top and my legs feel like they just rode 45 miles. Or when I do the first thing in the morning yawn and stretch and all my muscles tense up, my legs tend to seize up and cramp for 10 seconds. Then all is fine.

So is this fairly normal when you start? Are my legs just trying to catch up, so they are going to be a bit wiggy for a while?

If you are feeling tired, and the legs are feeling heavy, that can be a sign that you might not be feeding your body enough food or giving it enough rest.

do you feel better after taking a few days off the bike? keep a food journal (i like fitday.com) to see how many calories you are eating per day. also, look at the foods you are eating, you might be missing something (for a lot of women, it seems to be calcium rich foods).

anyway just some ideas for you to work with...

Hannah

If you are losing electrolytes and such while riding and not replacing them then, you could get your body on the teetery-edge of being unhappy. Which could certainly predispose you toward cramps, etc. when another provocation gets added in. (the straw that breaks the camel's back, as it were.)

Essentially, biking without replenishment may be using up your reserves, then you get into a situation that normally wouldn't cause a problem (getting out of bed) but since there is no reserve to buffer you, you get a cramp.

Even if you don't feel your mileage requires drinking or eating while you're on the bike, try it for a week and see if it helps.

PS. I use Clif Electrolyte and Clif Bloks. Sometimes I feel like a dork, drinking a big ol' bottle of Electrolyte lemonade during/after my piddly little 4 mile commute, but it makes a huge difference how my body copes and how I feel through out the day.

I usually take Powerade with me in one bottle, and if the ride is more than 10 miles, a hammer gel. Plus I eat within an hour of getting back. It doesn't feel related to recovery because I can go several days without riding and I still feel this way. Maybe I should take a mulit-vitamin. Maybe I'm missing something.

I don't get cramps in my legs often... but...

My legs often "feel like mud" when I haven't warmed up (solution, keep riding it will get better)

My legs often "feel like mud" the day after a good workout (solution, hop on bike - indoors or outdoors - and spin gently to ease the muscles)

When you are used to riding several rides each week, and some of those really push your muscles, you might also find that your legs hurt if you then miss a few rides... again, a gentle workout out a bike will appease them.

I eat well, and get lots of rest... so if you are doing both, then I suggest a good warm up (it is suggested about 1 minute for every year of your life) and cool downs... which might actually happen the next day, not just straight after the ride.

One other thought - Are you having recovery rides as well? Or does each ride feel like you are pushing the envelope? You must remember, that rest and recovery are an important part of building yourself as a cyclist...

Enjoy :)