Tree trunk calves...

[happy~biker]

Hello,

As an ex-competitive runner and new cyclist, I still cross train. I have huge calves which I am proud of...but the other morning I woke up and had the worst cramp in my right one. Now it feels bruised...can I still cycle? I know I can't run on it

[Brandi]

I guess it is possible you strained it. I would but some heat on it and rest a day or two.Take some asprin. If the pain is worse or travels go see your Dr. Not to scare you but blood clots can start in the calf. But if messaging it and adding heat help I would say it's muscle. Do you know if you did anything to it that you remember? Doesn't sound like you remember though. How big is your calf, I bet it's not as big as you think. Here I will measure mine (measuring calf) mine is 14 inches. Now that seems big to me.

[Trek420]

Happy~biker,

you didn't say if you rode the day before? I cramp if I:
don't warm up first
don't cool down after, spin the last few miles or last bit of a ride flushes out lactic acid I think
don't spin/that is if I mash big gears
and/or don't stay hydrated properly fed before/during and after.

I especially notice it if I don't get enough potassium

OY, this sport is so complicated. good thing there's TE, eh?

Lots of threads around here and help about nutrition

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/forumdisplay.php?f=64

[happy~biker]

Hi Brandi-

Well...I've got you beat by 1/2"...Maybe that's a good size for being buff.

I wish I could remember what I had done the day before. I always do some leg stretches before I actually get up...and I've had tight calves for a long time. I did the one side and it was fine and then this other one just suddenly cramped up like a charlie horse. I was in pain for a good 3 minutes, which seemed forever! I haven't ran or rode my bike for 3 days now. I have just been walking.
I appreciate your reply and hopefully it's just a strain.

Hi Trek420-

So are you just referring to your calf muscles if you do or don't do what you said? Geez...cycling is way more complicated than I ever thought

Before running or riding I warm up in my hot tub. I cool down with stretches.
I also thought that you don't use your calf muscles very much and being on a bike was easier on your entire body. How do you know if you are lacking potassium? I will check out your link on nutrition while I rest today.

Thanks for your reply.
I am so grateful for this site-

[Dianyla]

Have you been getting enough potassium lately? If you've been training a lot and sweating you've probably been losing a lot of electrolytes. Sodium is usually replaced very easily because it is added to so many foods, but potassium is not as ubiquitous. Bananas are a good source, as are Larabars (primarily due to the dried dates ingredient). I also like Morton's "lite salt" which is half sodium chloride and half potassium chloride, you can find it at any grocery store.

Magnesium is another necessary mineral required for muscle relaxation. This is why soaking in a bath with epsom salts (i.e. magnesium sulfate) is so relaxing. It's also why too much magnesium has a laxative effect - in high doses it can relax the sphincters in your gastrointestinal tract. Chocolate is high in magnesium.

So, go eat a few chocolate dipped bananas and you'll be fine.

ETA: Just noticed your edited in question about how do you know if you're lacking potassium? Well, cramps, for one! Another way to look at it is that if you're not consuming potassium rich foods or sports drinks and you are sweating a lot, you are most likely deficient in it. And if you lose a lot of electrolytes due to IBS, this is also a factor.

ETA2: Another possible source of cramps is taking calcium supplements that don't also have magnesium. Cal-Mag work together in muscular cell contractions, the calcium ion helps with contractions and the magnesium ion does the relaxing. Too much calcium unopposed by magnesium can also cause cramps.

[Trek420]

Dianyla "So, go eat a few chocolate dipped bananas and you'll be fine. "

works for me!!!

I think yams are high in potassium too, candied yams & chocolate....

[Trek420]

happy~biker writes "Hi Trek420-Geez...cycling is way more complicated than I ever thought

Not really, just ride, have a question, read TE, learn, ride repeat....

"Before running or riding I warm up in my hot tub."

OK, TE gals the rides begin at happy~biker house from now on

"I cool down with stretches."

sounds good, I've read somewhere, I think here that it's good to get some food in you, protein, carbs, whatever your bod likes to recover within 1/2 hour of intense excercise.

"I also thought that you don't use your calf muscles very much and being on a bike was easier on your entire body."

cycling is easier on your body than lots of sports, but your calf muscles do a lot of work!

"How do you know if you are lacking potassium?"

Honestly I don't. I just learned through trial and error, and reading TE gals who know waaaay more than I ...that cramping for me may = low potassium. Then found foods high in that helped. Still don't know for sure, maybe I'm just low on chocolate?

"Thanks for your reply.
I am so grateful for this site-"

kinda neet, eh? Best place in cycberspace for women cyclists, besides the road, or the mountain, or the LBS, or.....