Just finished running my 1st 1/2 marathon. Exactally, as I was crossing the finishing line I developed very hard cramps in left leg (cuadricep). If this had happened any moment before, I would problaby had big problems finishing the race. I would appreciate any comments about it. What should I do to avoid this from happening again. I had a lot of fun running that day. Thanks.
Cramping during races is a vexing issue because it often is not a problem during training and cannot be replicated outside of racing. I had a couple of 1/2/30k/full races where I cramped in my adductors. I never cramp during workouts or long runs. I started taking electrolyte pills before races and have not had a problem since. Of course, I did a couple of long runs with the electrolyte pills to make sure there would not be a stomach issue. That should be your first step to address the issue.
Keep moving and gradually wind it down. You're asking your muscles to contract repetitively for over an hour and then suddenly asking them to come to a halt.
It's really not much different from people doing speedwork and saying they "tighten up" when they stop between reps.
Thank you for your replies. I understand that because of my lack of experience in competitions, I was dehydrated. I need to prepare better next time. My curiosity however, is more because of the timing of the cramps. Could it just have been coincidence that they happened as I was crossing the finishing line or it is something that sometimes happens when you are ready to stop or relax.
Thanks.
Joral wrote:
Thank you for your replies. I understand that because of my lack of experience in competitions, I was dehydrated. I need to prepare better next time. My curiosity however, is more because of the timing of the cramps. Could it just have been coincidence that they happened as I was crossing the finishing line or it is something that sometimes happens when you are ready to stop or relax.
Thanks.
I guess you gave it a little extra those last meters and that's what caused it, not that you relaxed afterwards.