ST'ers I need help! Raced Syracuse Sunday, 50-54 AG. Swam :35 something, biked 2:38 something and ran 2:00: something.......auuuuugh!
Background, first HIM in 6 years but fit, strong and had the miles and bricks in, shooting for a 1:45 run split. Training bricks included some 8-9 miles stints at 7 min. pace within 11-12 mile runs so an 8 min paced seemed achievable. My right foot started cramping about 30 minutes into the swim. All was well on the bike. I wasn't riding with a PT but have trained with one and maintained PE at about 85% FTP as planned. Consumed 44 oz. Perform and 1 gel with water, about 580 cal.'s as I mixed it No indication on the bike that issues would ensue.
By the time I had run across the lawn within the park and up the short hill I new it would be a looooong run. My right hammy, and sometimes the left, would seize up like a baseball under the skin each time I tried to pick up the pace or at the start of an up or down hill segment, which is just about the entire course! So run, stretch, walk, run, walk backwards, stretch, run, hobble...and so on for 2 hours while everyone runs by. Consumed maybe 4 gels, water and some Perform plus 2 salt tabs along the way.
My first thought was an electrolyte imbalance, second was lack of specific fitness (hill work), and third, over stressed hammies on the bike leg. Maybe a combination of all 3. I just find it odd that of the 1000's of athletes participating I seemed to be the only 'walker' dealing with leg cramps. Monday hammies were very tight and a little sore, but there is no acute injury.
Any insight is appreciated.
M
Background, first HIM in 6 years but fit, strong and had the miles and bricks in, shooting for a 1:45 run split. Training bricks included some 8-9 miles stints at 7 min. pace within 11-12 mile runs so an 8 min paced seemed achievable. My right foot started cramping about 30 minutes into the swim. All was well on the bike. I wasn't riding with a PT but have trained with one and maintained PE at about 85% FTP as planned. Consumed 44 oz. Perform and 1 gel with water, about 580 cal.'s as I mixed it No indication on the bike that issues would ensue.
By the time I had run across the lawn within the park and up the short hill I new it would be a looooong run. My right hammy, and sometimes the left, would seize up like a baseball under the skin each time I tried to pick up the pace or at the start of an up or down hill segment, which is just about the entire course! So run, stretch, walk, run, walk backwards, stretch, run, hobble...and so on for 2 hours while everyone runs by. Consumed maybe 4 gels, water and some Perform plus 2 salt tabs along the way.
My first thought was an electrolyte imbalance, second was lack of specific fitness (hill work), and third, over stressed hammies on the bike leg. Maybe a combination of all 3. I just find it odd that of the 1000's of athletes participating I seemed to be the only 'walker' dealing with leg cramps. Monday hammies were very tight and a little sore, but there is no acute injury.
Any insight is appreciated.
M