I probably cramp a little more than usual in tris. It’s been getting more under control lately and the changes I’ve made are to make sure I don’t dilute my electrolyte base the day before by drinking too much water and taking sports drink race morning. Pop some endurolytes on longer races, etc, etc.
Raced yesterday oly distance and cramped hard, yes hard in both hamstrings during the swim. Yes the swim and this meant an extra 40-50 seconds in T1 and a slower than usual bike ride. Water was 72-74 deg, no wetsuit. It was the honolulu Tri and wetsuits were legal, but it’s Hawaii for god’s sake. Legs grabbed at 350m in but relaxed, hit again when I hit the sand, and I was standing locked up in front of my bike for quite a while:(
A friends doctor reccomended I try Quanine in tonic water, 1-2 cups every night to help with intra-cellular transport, ie. getting nutrients into the muscles to prevent cramping. I’m not seeming much on this googling it. Anyone have any experience with Quanine or miracle cramping cures?
I’m not a newbie and have figured out most of my other tri mysteries, but the cramping I just can’t fix.
Well, not really as part of a serious training regimen, but in my “professional” drinking days (trust me, I was GOOD), I used to drink tonic water to help get rid of the inevitable hangover muscle cramps - probably due to dehydration and lack of quality sleep - so I could go for a run. Worked pretty well.
Your freind’s doc had some good advice - I also have my patient try the same. Most otherwise healthy people who are cramping bad are a bit dehydrated and the quinine has been used to treat cramps for years. Tonic water is great (especially before bed) as it covers both bases.
I experienced some pretty bad cramping in any race 1/2 IM or longer. After a good amount of researching I started taking calcium, zinc and quinine in the week leading up to long races. I take 20% of the USRDA of calcium & zinc, and drink a litre or up to a litre and half of tonic water a day. I am not sure which is working, but the cramps have not returned and I am not willing to gamble on which of the things I am taking is working. I was able to google quinine a couple of years ago and found a place in Canada which you could mail order it. However I could not find them again.
Not sure if this helps, but I thought some anectodal experience would not hurt.