Ride Like The Wind
First outdoor ride of the season tonight. I did a 20 kilometre training run. Average heart rate was 146bpm and the average speed was 21km/h. Not too bad for the first ride out given the strong wind conditions. Heart rate was a bit higher than I would have liked but we do have a lot of hills in the area.
Coming off the ride felt great. The magical rush of endorphins makes the world a wonderful place. Two hours later and my legs are in a lot of pain.
Old age.
Hi, Richard, yes that time of year again!
I trust you are doing a mild warm-up followed by a stretch before hopping on the bicycle seat. Similarly, you need to stretch after a workout to ensure the lactic acid is spread evenly around the muscles and so it dissipates. It is the build-up of lactic acid in the muscles after a workout that is the root of a good portion of post-workout pain.
I have coached soccer for about 14 years where I have learned the post game (or practice) stretch is as important as the pre-game (or practice) work-out/stretch. Also, I am sure you do a mild ”˜warm-up”™ to warm up the muscles before stretching. I liken it to silly-putty where if left in the refrigerator, taken out and pulled apart, it breaks. Warm silly-putty stretches nicely. Same goes for muscles.
I regularly see coaches immediately instructing their young players to stretch, without having them warm up their muscles. This is in fact damaging to young muscles.
If you do a good post ride stretch, your will notice reduced pain the following day or two. Guaranteed.
Warm ups? Stretches? No time for that stuff. Ride!
🙂
An appropriate reminder!