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....

[happy~biker]

Hi Dianyla-
Thanks for your reply. I wish I could eat chocolate dipped banana's, but I do have IBS, so I have to be careful.
I do take a cal/mag supplement and stay away from salt.
I know I don't drink enough...it's just so hard for me when I have to wake up 3 times a night!

Hi Trek420-
I appreciate your reply too!
I do like yams. I put marshmallows and brown sugar on those! YUMMY!

I've never tried the sports drinks. I think now's the time!

[Dianyla]

I wish I could eat chocolate dipped banana's, but I do have IBS, so I have to be careful.

Is it the chocolate or the bananas? I have difficulty with bananas, they always upset my stomach. Larabars have been a godsend, you can find them at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, etc. Their ingredient lists are very short and simple, too.

I don't have full-on IBS but many things aggravate me in that way if I'm not careful. Have you ever talked to a naturopath about it? I used to have a lot worse frequency and problems, but since figuring out a few culprits and adjusting certain parameters I have my digestive issues mostly contained.

[Eden]

Is it the chocolate or the bananas? I have difficulty with bananas, they always upset my stomach. Larabars have been a godsend, you can find them at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, etc. Their ingredient lists are very short and simple, too.

I don't have full-on IBS but many things aggravate me in that way if I'm not careful. Have you ever talked to a naturopath about it? I used to have a lot worse frequency and problems, but since figuring out a few culprits and adjusting certain parameters I have my digestive issues mostly contained.

Interesting - everyone always talks about bananas as the perfect cycling food, but it seems like there are quite a few of us out there that can't do them. I love bananas - but not on the bike!! I get wretched stomach cramps if I eat them before cycling. I think they are great afterwards though.

[happy~biker]

It's the chocolate. A big trigger...Fortunately I've never been a big chocolate eater lilke most women. I usually eat a banana on my oatmeal which is the soluble fiber I need to keep my GI tract happy.

My calf feels a lot better today. I do drink the protein shakes that have lots of potassium in them at work. I'm going to find a drink with the electrolytes. I am trying to drink more green tea too. I've heard that it is the next best thing to water.

The interesting thing is that it is only my calves have ever gotten these cramps. Why wouldn't any other muscle get them?

[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.....

[RoadRaven]

My partner finds that when he has too much sugar he is more prone to cramps... don't know if thats useful, Happy...

As for why just your calves? Have no idea... sorry

And as for bananas - I like them after a hard ride (as long as they are firm - the skin yellow and a tinge of green - not the brown spotted skin )

I will have them before a ride on cereal or mashed onto toast - but its gotta be a good half hour to an hour before I get on the bike...

Thats of course unless I am starting ride at Happy's, cause otherwise I'll wait in the hot tub for you all to get back...

[happy~biker]

Thanks ladies,

I am really feeling great now. I am good and hydrated and I'm ready for an easy ride tomorrow.

If you haven't warmed up in a hot tub, I highly recommend it. AND feel free to come on over anytime! I'm in the foothills of Mt. Rainier and am surrounded by Mother Nature...if you get too hot you can jump in the lake.

[Nanci]

And they were 14"! I think of them as small and wimpy, not tree trunks! They are _finally_ getting bigger and showing definition, but it's been a long process. We don't want to talk about my quad measurement :-(

Nanci

[happy~biker]

Hi Nanci-

Wimpy.. You must be tall...b/c I am only 5'3, and have the biggest calves out of my husband and 2 sons ages 26 & 27. It was my oldest son that gave me that nick name...I know he's just jealous He just started road biking too.

I rode my bike this morning and just wanted to inform all of you that I had ZERO pain! It's amazing what a day off can do! I only rode for a half hour and went 7 miles. Some hills as I have plenty of those around here...BUT...as Trek420 pointed out that in biking you do use your calf muscles a lot! This is my first time using those tricky clip-on pedals. When I am going up hills, I used to use my arms to pull me up. Then I read on here that we are suppost to use our legs. Now, I understand the feeling of pulling up on the pedals especially when I'm on a hill! What a difference! But, after cooling down I still have no pain. Honest to Pete...it vanished!

I will continue to take all of your wonderful suggestions. Thank you again for taking the time to be SOOO helpful!

I am one happy biker!