Originally Posted by
Allegheny Jet
At my last indoor workout I filled my two bottles with water and 3 opened electrolyte capsules in each. I also put 6 Tums in a plastic snack bag and put it in my pocket. Once again about 2/3's way through the workout I felt the cramping coming on and I took 3 Tums. They melt almost instantly in the mouth and after that I did not feel the early signs or endure any cramping. Next hard workout is tomorrow evening and I will once again have a baggie of Tums. I hope this continues to be the "fix".
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Downside: those puppies contain calcium, and lots of calcium is not totally the best thing in the world unless sweats really a lot. So I take one and see what happens. If I get another twinge, I take another, etc. Most of the time, one is enough for me. However, I only cramp when I overdo it, so training fixes that. I seldom cramp during the season, only when I ramp it up early, like now.
I'd try it without the electrolytes. Food is full of electrolytes and IME one doesn't get depleted until one has sweated hard for a few hours. After every hard ride or session, I do take a 500 cal/250 mag capsule. That fixes after-ride cramps for me. I think the magnesium is more important than the calcium there. OTOH lots of magnesium gives me the runs. YMMV.