Chilli, mint, ginger - also said to work - they distract our nervous systems, a bit like rubbing your head when you bang it, or even stronger, throwing your drink in somebody's face in the pub - it really changes the nature of the conversation.
Chilli, mint, ginger - also said to work - they distract our nervous systems, a bit like rubbing your head when you bang it, or even stronger, throwing your drink in somebody's face in the pub - it really changes the nature of the conversation.
For me, its always 3 hours into a race, rarely training. Once it strikes it keeps coming back. Its torturous! I look forward to uphills as that's fine but downhills are awful. I remember cramping up severely 10 metres from the finish line at Trotternish Ridge Race and taking 5 minutes to cross the line.
Second marathon, 2002, developed cramp walking to the start, took ages to settle with stretching. Ran what is still my PB, no cramp during the race, as soon as I finished I cramped up every few steps for the next couple of hours, much to the amusement of my partner. No problems like that before or since.
It seems to be generally felt that cramp means you are asking your muscles to do something you have not accustomed them to doing, whether it be time, distance, speed, temperature, height gain/loss, and that the best way to prevent it is to train them accordingly. Every now and then, as above, it will be something odd. And relieving it can also involve something odd.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/46961611
Still on the huntfor a UK stockist. PicklePower quoted me 104 dollars delivery!
If anyone is interested I made some myself from Google. A foul concoction of water, vinegar, salt, sugar, mustard, chilli, cloves and pepper. Boiled it up and strained it. It looks like concentrated urine and doesn't taste much better tbh. However..... I tried it out on Sunday on a long run down the Trotternish Ridge. 25k and 1500m in 26C. Every time I've done this in racing ir training Ive succumbed to terrible cramp. This time, a big slug before I started then a couple more when I felt twinges. No cramp and I actually finished strong. Don't know how but it worked. Just need to make it more palatable but maybe thats the point.