Back at work this week after a month off (I was just getting into holiday mode too!!).
Monday - First ride since just after Christmas. Was really nice weather wise in the morning and I decided to take it pretty easy for my first day back in the saddle (took the mountain bike along Yarra Trail - 23km). My boss talked me into a 5km run at lunchtime which I barely managed to complete without dying. I go to get on the bike at knock-off time and my back tyre is dead flat. I change tyre whilst muttering under my breath and knocking back all the friendly offers of help from the other cyclists at work as they took their bikes off the rack to go home. Trip home.....quads are a bit sore from the run......nearly died again......severe cramps about 2km from home.
Tuesday (Today) - Weather was great once again. Felt like [censored] in the morning with sore quads and sore bum from being back on bike seat again so I took it easy going in. Hobbled around all day and had trouble every time I got up from my desk or went up stairs as my quads felt like they were going to give way. Got on the bike this arvo for the trip home along the Yarra again and I felt great once I got going. I went pretty hard and managed to make it home in only 30 seconds longer than my best ever time which I did with a howling tailwind. Did some stretches but now my quads feel worse than they did all day (I am pretty sure that this is from the run).
What gives?? How is it that I feel like [censored] and ride better than I do when I am feeling good?? Maybe my preparation for the next Kew Crit should be to go for a run on the day before??
What gives?? How is it that I feel like [censored] and ride better than I do
when
Quoted message said:
I am feeling good?? Maybe my preparation for the next Kew Crit should be
to
Quoted message said:
go for a run on the day before??
I've had some of my better 'efforts' after extended time off the bike. It hurts a lot more when you're done but I guess that's because you've just gone and done a massive amount of muscle fibre damage because those muscles were detrained and not used to the work.
When you're getting back on the bike and the blood is flowing, your legs don't feel so bad. Your brain is probably pumping out some groovy chemicals to suppress the exercise pain too (dopamine?). As soon as you stop though.. that's when you feel the work you've done. The natural painkillers stop and your muscles cool down - making those stairs a real [censored]! When you're constantly training - there's not so much scope for large amounts of damage because you're already 'toughened'.
I now await a response from someone who knows what they're talking about! :-)
