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Nutrition for Spartan training

paddy648
paddy648 Posts: 5 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey everyone....I'm hoping to get a little advice here from some veteran Spartan racers....I completed my first Spartan Sprint race in April this year...then did the Super three weeks ago.....got through all the obstacles without any issues...but about halfway into the Super (in Asheville NC) my quads cramped up and absolutely crippled me. It was honestly the worse cramp pain I have ever experienced. To be honest, I did not carb load the day before and I didn't have much to eat the morning of the race. I have been doing lots of cardio and running outside so I really don't think my muscles were that surprised to shut down. I'm registered to do a Spartan Beast in Nov as I really want to get my trifecta. I've already increased my cardio sessions but I'm wondering if the cramping I experienced was more of a nutritional problem or electrolyte deficiency....can anyone please offer advice on carb loading, pre-race fueling?? I've already invested in a camal-bak and gu pouches as I am doing another Sprint race this Sat for a little redemption. Thanks for the help.
Paddy648

Replies

  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    @paddy648 - Honestly there are tons of reasons you could be cramping, and there are tons of different ways to attempt to handle them. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another. I'm just going to throw out a bunch of information that I've heard from various people. I've done research and always find mixed things. I've dealt with my own cramping issues (usually calves) and thought I had it figured out, this past weekend I went down with massive cramps that I'm still limping from. You will most likely have to play around with things....
    • Training - You need to be trained for the terrain, obstacles and endurance. Try to mimic as much of that as possible. Road running vs trail running vs mountain running are all so very different. The quick movements required at the obstacles and the heavy carries should also be a part of your training (when you are already fatigued) so your body is used to it. Also make sure you aren't over training. Learning to keep a pace and not going balls to the wall during the race is also a good idea.
    • Pre-race Nutrition - should mimic your overall nutrition....honestly overall nutrition is key as well. Personally I barely carb load before a race. I have a very high protein diet. I know OCR racers who are on very high fat diets. We all pre-race nutrition differently. The key is to confuse your body before a race. Don't eat a bunch of crap it isn't used to. My small carb load is done with brown rice because my body is used to eating some of that each day. Throwing bread and pasta at it would be stupid.
    • During Race Nutrition - Being hydrated before the race and staying hydrated during the race is key. Taking electrolytes is never a bad idea. Salt, potassium, pickle juice, mustard, energy chews, gu's, and other supplements have all been used by different racers. People have success with different stuff.
    • Compression wear - a lot of people swear my compression pants and sleeves to help with circulation

    Good luck on Saturday! And at your Beast! Feel free to add me as a friend or message me any other questions :)
  • RobynLB83
    RobynLB83 Posts: 626 Member
    You're probably set with having the camelbak and gu on hand. If I overtrain I'll cramp all over. It's the worst doing a climbing session after maybe running, boxing, and biking that day. Things in hips and back that I didn't even know where there will lock up. There's a certain point where you're just past your endurance and your body will just stop working right.
  • paddy648
    paddy648 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks guys for the helpful advice....did the Spartan Sprint at Fort Bragg, NC on Sat...was 5.5 miles....felt pretty good at the end....quads or hamstrings didn't cramp up at all....stretched out a bit every mile as a precaution....also had the camelbak and goo pouches, it was 92° - pretty hot!! Going to increase the cardio now every week until about 10 days before the Beast on Nov 14th!! Determined to get that Trifecta!!!
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    paddy648 wrote: »
    Thanks guys for the helpful advice....did the Spartan Sprint at Fort Bragg, NC on Sat...was 5.5 miles....felt pretty good at the end....quads or hamstrings didn't cramp up at all....stretched out a bit every mile as a precaution....also had the camelbak and goo pouches, it was 92° - pretty hot!! Going to increase the cardio now every week until about 10 days before the Beast on Nov 14th!! Determined to get that Trifecta!!!

    Congrats on finishing Fort Bragg! I heard it was a good race. Keep up the hard work and you you will earn your Trifecta :)
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