EDITED subject based on Hook's feedback down below. Thanks all.
Good morning ST Gang - I had the unique opportunity to compete in the Race Across America (2 person division) a week ago. Amazing experience and encouraging outcome. Now it's time to prep for IM Tahoe so after a few days off, I went out for a short run. Epic failure. Made it 2 minutes before massive cramping in both quads (think of those night cramps you get in your calf when sleeping but in both quads). I've repeated the attempt the past 5 days and basically the same outcome. I can get about 2 1/2 - 3 min before the cramping stops me cold. After a little rest, I can go for another minute, etc. But max of 6 minutes (total) the past 5 days and no real improvement noted over the 5 days.
My theory is that it's simply a neuromuscular imbalance. I'd had a wreck about 6 wks prior to RAAM where I broke several bones so was not allowed to run at all during that period. Then I focused on riding primarily in aero position during training and RAAM, so the quads were functioning in a shortened position (ie, hip angle in aero). Now the re-introduction of running is asking the body to function in a lengthened position and the muscles simply aren't adapted so the cramping kicks in after a couple of minutes.
I'm not concerned about a muscle tear or bone issue, as it doesn't hurt at all the first 2 minutes and is relatively equal bilaterally. I have a feeling it's just going to take a couple weeks of re-adapting to walking/running and then will get back to normal (since I'd been doing absolutely zero running and almost no walking due to the wreck prior to RAAM). I'll keep trying a short run each morning and add a lot more walking to my day to speed that up. But if you've ever experienced this and have any suggestions, I appreciate it! Only about 10 wks to Tahoe and I hear there's a run at the end of that event :-)
Thanks!
Good morning ST Gang - I had the unique opportunity to compete in the Race Across America (2 person division) a week ago. Amazing experience and encouraging outcome. Now it's time to prep for IM Tahoe so after a few days off, I went out for a short run. Epic failure. Made it 2 minutes before massive cramping in both quads (think of those night cramps you get in your calf when sleeping but in both quads). I've repeated the attempt the past 5 days and basically the same outcome. I can get about 2 1/2 - 3 min before the cramping stops me cold. After a little rest, I can go for another minute, etc. But max of 6 minutes (total) the past 5 days and no real improvement noted over the 5 days.
My theory is that it's simply a neuromuscular imbalance. I'd had a wreck about 6 wks prior to RAAM where I broke several bones so was not allowed to run at all during that period. Then I focused on riding primarily in aero position during training and RAAM, so the quads were functioning in a shortened position (ie, hip angle in aero). Now the re-introduction of running is asking the body to function in a lengthened position and the muscles simply aren't adapted so the cramping kicks in after a couple of minutes.
I'm not concerned about a muscle tear or bone issue, as it doesn't hurt at all the first 2 minutes and is relatively equal bilaterally. I have a feeling it's just going to take a couple weeks of re-adapting to walking/running and then will get back to normal (since I'd been doing absolutely zero running and almost no walking due to the wreck prior to RAAM). I'll keep trying a short run each morning and add a lot more walking to my day to speed that up. But if you've ever experienced this and have any suggestions, I appreciate it! Only about 10 wks to Tahoe and I hear there's a run at the end of that event :-)
Thanks!