tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14183065.post7209463014651087092..comments2024-03-16T10:47:21.415+08:00Comments on KC & the Sunshine Runners: My TMBT Post-RaceKC & the Sunshine Runnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070177728699974090noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14183065.post-35124295522078758122013-09-24T22:18:55.483+08:002013-09-24T22:18:55.483+08:00If you're convinced that you've trained su...If you're convinced that you've trained sufficiently for the hill challenge, then yes, <b>dehydration</b> stands out as the <i>most</i> probable culprit that can result in cramps. <br /><br />We have ridiculous hills here in Sabah, of course, but there are also other possible causes of cramps. This is not intended to be an attempt to discount the advice given by the good doctor; rather, perhaps a complement to her advice.<br /><br />There have been studies suggesting that the intensity or speed of the workout may have a bearing on the eventual onset of cramps. It is interesting that in the majority of cases, if one were to run the race at say 70%-80% of max heart rate, cramps can <i>usually</i> be put at bay, at least until very late in the race when the muscles become fatigued. But this is of course provided that the runner has trained sufficiently for the feat.<br /><br />Depletion of salt, or more specifically, electrolytes, had been singled out as a possible cause of cramps in the past. But this has recently been challenged. Apparently studies have found that the body can store enough salt to last for the entire duration of the endurance event. And at any rate, replenishment can quite often come from sports drinks, energy gels and the likes.<br /><br />I personally believe that other factors such as insufficient taper; or rest/sleep in the days leading up to the race may be significant ingredients for cramps too.<br /><br />Finally, my contention is that we are all <i>slightly</i> different physiologically and react differently to numerous elements. As an example, I suffered a nasty sprain due to stepping onto a loose gravel in the TMBT 2011. It gave me quite a bit of anxiety for a while. But when I waded in the waist deep river, the cold water had the effect of soothing my ankle as well as my tired quads and calves.<br /><br />In contrast, a friend running the same race had quite the opposite effect of the cold water. The sudden change in temperature caused his muscles to seize up, thus resulting in severe cramps in both legs, eventually forcing him to throw in the towel after enduring the pain for a good 10km to CP4.Corneliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08049388322332876859noreply@blogger.com