i've done 5 sprint tri's so far and during each one my calves have cramped up right after T2 - - and i'm not the only one - i have seen many a racer stop and stretch post T2 (myself included) and i thought that if i could just get through the first 1/4 mile i could have a nice lead on all those stretchers

happy to report that i powered through the T2 and run start this weekend(with a decent jog pace) and got a lead on many a cramp-victim (it was nice to hear a few "nice run" comments after the race from guys that had to fall back or slow down -- made me realize that others hate to stop too.

felt good on race day and the day after (went for a very brief jog), but i couldn't shake those cramped calves -- the second day was kinda painful and i had to jump in an ice bath at lunch

anyway -- i head from a cycling coach that my stroke needs to have a phase where the heel isn't so high - so that my calf gets stretched a little each stroke. well my stroke is definitely better than last year so maybe that contributed to the don't-stop-and-stretch T2 -- but obviously it is far from good form.

as far as run technique i have read about different strides that keep your feet out in front of you, avoiding a high kick-up in the back -- more like stepping up -- i find this helps with a quick turnover but also for easing off the calf muscle for the start of the run.

any thoughts on the calves being the achilles heel of T2?

-john

ps i kinda like the cramped muscles cause when they ease up and you are in full sprint mode for the last mile it feels like you are flying!

I had this exact same problem for the past few years (off and on) and at the beggining of this season.

My $0.02 is that it is one of three things:

1. (and most likely) You lack sodium. It may help to make sure you are getting electrolytes on the bike (and plenty of salt the week prior to racing).

2. You are dehydrated. Again, drink on the bike, and drink lots the week prior.

3. Sleep deprivation causes muscles to remain tense and fatigue easy. Cramping is our muscles way of saying...NO, I need rest. I used to get very little sleep (or low quality) before races. Now a movie at the theater usually relaxes me enough for a good nights rest.

I took all of these into account and have NO more problems with calve cramps during T2 or later. It is possible that it has something to do with your spinning technique, but most likely you will find relief in the 3 mentioned above.

Hey I have had the same problems in the past. I read some things about trying to stand up in the pedals your last mile or so of the bike and spin at a slightly higher gear into T2! That helped me immensely, and try to do a few brics where you run fast right off of the bike in yout training, the more you do it the easier it gets, but try standing up in the pedals as much as possible that last half mile or so! ALso Brim is right make sure you are hydrated!

Keep on Tri-ing!

Eric

What I found that worked well is spinning at a high cadence the last mile or two coming into T2. Get up over 100 RPM.
Same can be said for completing the swim - on the last 100 yards or so increase the kick cadence - gets the blood flowing into the legs and you can run out of the water instead of waddling.