So I have been training for 9 months and have been cramping in my calfs when I get off my bike and start the run my calfs start to constrict and cramp up. After about 3/4 of a mile the cramps/constrictions will go away. Any thoughts on what this can be from???
Thanks
-D
well, it’s probably not a nutrition problem since it goes away when you start to run. I’d look at seat height and cleat placement. if the seat is too high you may be flexing the calf to make up for the reach issue. If the cleat is not placed well under the foot you may be holding it steady in an isometric contraction during the ride.
do you feel like you are ‘ankleing’ when your ride? are your feet in a comfortable position when you stand to climb?
What do you mean about ankleing? I don’t stand to climb I stay in aero. I am thinking it is my seat height. I will have to get it looked at. My calves are killing me today even. My race was sunday and I am still in pain.
Most of the time, cramping is a muscle fatigue issue, not dehydration / nutrition. Are you pointing your toes down when pedaling? Your calves are just tired. Actually using the muscles somewhat differently (running) should loosen them… Like you said, it seems to go away after a while. Do a few ankle looseners before you get into your run just to loosen up the calves. Keep up with the bricks, the calves should soon enough get longer-term endurance and stop cramping. If you get acute pain beyond cramps, please walk it out.
What do you mean about ankleing? I don’t stand to climb I stay in aero. I am thinking it is my seat height. I will have to get it looked at. My calves are killing me today even. My race was sunday and I am still in pain.
this is a good explanation of the pedal stroke. http://www.bicycling.com/...perfect-pedal-stroke
ankling would be overdoing the motion. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/ankling.html
just as a crude test of seat height to get you started before seeing a fitter. put the bike in a stand or have someone hold it and sit on the saddle in cycling position. put your cycling shoe heels on the pedals (unclipped-in of course) and try to pedal backwards. you should be able to do this without your shoes coming off the pedals at the bottom of the stroke. obviously the type of shoe, cleat and pedal will influence the effectiveness of this but it should give you a ballpark estimate of weather the seat is too high.
also, as alluded to above, you may just need more time on the bike to develop endurance.
I also had the same issues with calf cramps on the bike. I found out 2 things while trying to figure out what was wrong. i was pointing my toes on the down stroke, and I switched up my nutrition.