GENERAL
I've been an AG triathlete, mostly HIM and IM distance, for about 4 years. I've been a runner on and off since jr high cross country.
I'm mostly self coached. This year I used trainer road for cycling, a modified Gary P program for my runs, and a swimming was a mix of various IM training programs.
I've always struggled with cramps since I started running again as an adult. It's almost always my calves and arch of my foot. Once in a while I'll get it in my quads or hamstrings. They occur with all three activities and at night too. It happens the most with running and probably equal amounts with swim and bike. I've tried stretching and last 2 years I tried dry needling. Dry needling had helped reduce cramps, but I still got them frequently. I also had to take 2-3 days off after needling (muscles were very sore after each session).
I received the hot shots approximately 3 weeks before my A race (IMMT). Immediately started using it with my workouts leading up to the race and including the race itself.
ABOUT HOTSHOT
I followed it as directed. I used it 15-30min prior to my workout for all three activities, but not during the workout. During my race I used it before each session and through out the bike and run.
I was taken back initially at how spicy it was, but the more I used it I got used to it. I think it tasted pretty good overall.
This is hard to tell. I felt really good using it during my workouts and felt like I was able to push harder. However, this was during tapering so that could be why too.
I had no problems using it during swim and biking. I took it once at the start of my run during a brick session and I got bloated, gassy and had side stitches. I usually have GI issues with the run. I was fine when I let my HR settle (5-10 min into run).
I thought the Hotshot worked well during the race.
I took Hotshot once, 30 min before the start and followed by gel 15 min later. During the swim I had two cramps, one in the calf and one quad. They were both initiated by getting kicked in those muscles. What was different was that it went away almost immediately. I just stopped kicking for one or two strokes and they never came back. Usually when I cramp during swim I have to keep stretching every few strokes for it to resolve and sometimes they come back.
For the bike and the run, I didn't have any cramps at all. I took Hotshot at the start of both. However, I had twinges during both. Any time those came on I took another Hotshot. I took a total of 3 Hotshot during bike and 2 during run. I left one bottle in each special needs bag which I picked up both times.
As a side note I also have been cramping (calf only) less this year prior to using Hotshot. I believe a lot has to do with modifying my run training (slower but higher volume). I do think Hotshot made a difference with the twinges (which occurred with calf, hamstring and quads) because I usually have to back off my pace to prevent cramping. I didn't have to do during IMMT.
I don't think I'll carry or use it for my workouts, but I'm definitely going to use it for future races.
I'm doing a 70.3 in 2 weeks so I'll continue to use it. It'll be interesting to see how it works with higher intensity. Though I'm not sure how hard I can push it as I am still recovering from IMMT.
- Athletic background and training program details
I've been an AG triathlete, mostly HIM and IM distance, for about 4 years. I've been a runner on and off since jr high cross country.
I'm mostly self coached. This year I used trainer road for cycling, a modified Gary P program for my runs, and a swimming was a mix of various IM training programs.
- Cramping and nutritional challenges/issues you’ve experienced and other methods you've tried to relieve them
I've always struggled with cramps since I started running again as an adult. It's almost always my calves and arch of my foot. Once in a while I'll get it in my quads or hamstrings. They occur with all three activities and at night too. It happens the most with running and probably equal amounts with swim and bike. I've tried stretching and last 2 years I tried dry needling. Dry needling had helped reduce cramps, but I still got them frequently. I also had to take 2-3 days off after needling (muscles were very sore after each session).
- Races/events/key workouts during the test period.
I received the hot shots approximately 3 weeks before my A race (IMMT). Immediately started using it with my workouts leading up to the race and including the race itself.
ABOUT HOTSHOT
- Did you according to instructions or change it up?
I followed it as directed. I used it 15-30min prior to my workout for all three activities, but not during the workout. During my race I used it before each session and through out the bike and run.
- Taste
I was taken back initially at how spicy it was, but the more I used it I got used to it. I think it tasted pretty good overall.
- Energy levels
This is hard to tell. I felt really good using it during my workouts and felt like I was able to push harder. However, this was during tapering so that could be why too.
- Digestability
I had no problems using it during swim and biking. I took it once at the start of my run during a brick session and I got bloated, gassy and had side stitches. I usually have GI issues with the run. I was fine when I let my HR settle (5-10 min into run).
- Cramp prevention/reduction
I thought the Hotshot worked well during the race.
I took Hotshot once, 30 min before the start and followed by gel 15 min later. During the swim I had two cramps, one in the calf and one quad. They were both initiated by getting kicked in those muscles. What was different was that it went away almost immediately. I just stopped kicking for one or two strokes and they never came back. Usually when I cramp during swim I have to keep stretching every few strokes for it to resolve and sometimes they come back.
For the bike and the run, I didn't have any cramps at all. I took Hotshot at the start of both. However, I had twinges during both. Any time those came on I took another Hotshot. I took a total of 3 Hotshot during bike and 2 during run. I left one bottle in each special needs bag which I picked up both times.
- Whatever else you consider relevant
As a side note I also have been cramping (calf only) less this year prior to using Hotshot. I believe a lot has to do with modifying my run training (slower but higher volume). I do think Hotshot made a difference with the twinges (which occurred with calf, hamstring and quads) because I usually have to back off my pace to prevent cramping. I didn't have to do during IMMT.
I don't think I'll carry or use it for my workouts, but I'm definitely going to use it for future races.
I'm doing a 70.3 in 2 weeks so I'll continue to use it. It'll be interesting to see how it works with higher intensity. Though I'm not sure how hard I can push it as I am still recovering from IMMT.