Extreme quadriceps starting pain after 3-4 rest days

[NaturallyDriven]

View: https://youtu.be/ZosC0Rtil3g?si=nwa5mWmPeN44RpRy

 

[Nougat]

Hi all,

just want to give a brief update following my fist ever marathon this weekend in Copenhagen.
In short: I did not experience ANY issues related to our common problem child.

But I tell you, I was so nervous that I almost did not dare to do a small warm up. It was actually the only thing on my mind the last couple of days leading up to the race since I had to bail out 10 minutes before the race last year due to quads locking up.

This was my second race in a row now without any problems from this issue.

I know this will not help all, but nevertheless I will provide details on what I have changed.

1. Quit using Creatine.
2. No 7-10 gram/kg carb loading - just a bit more carbs than usual, and carbs of the same style. Ie. oatmeal, rye bread. No sugary carbs
3. Keep doing simple workouts everyday during the taper.
   1. Final week cycling at 50% FTP for 30 min every other day
   2. Running going from 40 min to 20 min every other day with a couple of 1 min strides
   3. Last strength workout with only few reps and body weight 3 days prior to race

I did a 3 week taper phase topping at 37 k 21 days out, then 24 k 14 days out and 16 k 7 days before the race.

For me, I am almost 100% sure that dropping creatine has had a significant effect. In addition I tried at one point to increase intake to 20 gram/day trying to gain the cognitive effects that seems to be achievable with higher doses. But actually, I just started feeling weird with a tingling/misty feeling in the back of my head/neck as soon as I lowered the dose, the feeling went away.
I have not had any significant strength gains by the usage. So maybe I am just a non-responder or whatever.
But going forward, I will just stay off the drug

PS: I managed a finish time of 3:21:04 my A goal was 3:25:00 so I am very proud of my self