Restless Legs

Triathlon Forum
1

Random one this and probably quite a boring subject.

Not every night but most nights during the week i suffer from restless legs (feet mainly) as soon as i get in bed. When you look online it tells you to have regular exercise, not too much caffeine and no alcohol.

I train every day, only have decaff in the evening and dont drink alcohol apart from very occasionally.

Could it be linked to dehydration or lack of electrolytes after a particularly tough session? I try to replenish these but maybe need to step it up.

Any other sufferers?

Thanks.

2

Getting up and doing an extra set of leg stretches has helped me a few times.

1 Like
3

Generel stress/anxiety in life can also cause restless legs. So it doesn’t have to be training or nutrition based.

3 Likes
4

Interesting. I wouldnt say i was particularly stressed or anxious but i do have two young children and try to fit 10/11 hours a week training in as well. I will monitor it and see when it is at its worst.

Its very annoying.

5

It could also likely be a lack of magnesium in the diet. Pillar Performance make an excellent triple magnesium product that is used by many non-sponsored pros. It can be ordered at The Feed. Highly recommend it. There are numerous benefits to taking magnesium.

6

I will take a look. Thanks for the reply.

7

I’ve commented on this situation a time or two before

When I lived in Philly and was running 40-50 miles a week, I used to wake up in the middle of the night with an uncontrollable urge to go for a run, a walk, a ride, anything just to get out of the house

Of course, it may have had less to do with Restless Leg Syndrome, or over- or under-training, iron / magnesium levels or vitamins, and more to do with trying to escape from the misdiagnosed bipolar coke whore I was living with at the time

8

If you haven’t already done so recently, it is worth getting bloodwork and testing iron levels. Low iron or ferritin can cause or worsen RLS.

9

I’ve had this happen occasionally as well. I keep a foam roller in my bedroom and find that rolling out IT Band and calves has a huge impact in getting my legs to calm down.

10

I’ve had it since I was 15 years old.
That’s a very nice - but unexpected aspect of the massage gun : nor more kicking the wife randomly during the night.
Can’t sleep without it anymore.