Fifty Plus (50+) - Please Explain This

Maybe I shouldn't ask for an explanation. Maybe I should just be grateful...

But two days ago, my knees were feeling ok but a bit creaky and still in recovery from some overtraining in preparation for a bike race in early May that never happened. I'd been babying my knees along for about five weeks.

As a particpant in a charity ride, I cycled 150 hilly miles this weekend. I was a bit fearful that my knees would not be up to the challenge, but they felt good both days. In fact, with only a few slight twinges here and there, they feel better today than they did on Friday.

It does leave me wondering what the best combination of rest and activity is. Sometimes too much rest makes you feel worse than going out, hopping on the bike and giving it the old heave ho. On the other hand you don't want to be a damned fool. Anyone have this issue figured out? I sure don't.

I attended a seminar given by a well-regarded knee specialist, who informed the audience that one should always give their knees a chance to recover. For most people this means taking it easy every other day, especially if they are over 40. However that didn't mean you couldn't have two hard days in a row, just that you shouldn't do this very often. Said she had to treat many people over the years who had overworked their routines.

Beyond limiting yourself to only 3-4 hard workouts a week, the rest was up to you listening to your body. She didn't say anything specific about taking a week or two off, outside of saying that if someone is having problems then they should either take it very easy for a while or see a specialist if they are going to try to continue to work out regularly.

When I was having trouble with bike fit, my knees would hurt and I would change the saddle and ride, and the pain would be gone that fast. You think they would hurt until healed, go figure.

They had a seminar where they tell you if your knees hurt, rest them? I'm in the wrong business.

There is hurt from misuse and there is hurt from overuse. Overuse requires rest - misuse requires changing the situation. You know when it is overuse because normally there is no issue. Misuse will showup in an hour or less.

One thing I learned when I used to do long distance hiking (like 8+ hours at a time) was the small things become big things after 4 to 5 hours. A slight rub in a shoe becomes a fiery blister in 4 to 5 hours, and then you have trouble.

If your position doesn't feel right - a quick ride around the block isn't a problem. But, go for 100 miles and you will be suffering - and might cause serious damage.

just my dos colones

I just think one has to listen to his own body. Probably no set answers.

It takes a couple of days for injured ligaments / tendons to indicate pain. Treat them as though they are still injured until you know for sure.;)

There is hurt from misuse and there is hurt from overuse. Overuse requires rest - misuse requires changing the situation. You know when it is overuse because normally there is no issue. Misuse will showup in an hour or less.



+1

My knees often do a little complaining after fast rides with hills but after some Aleve and a good night's rest they feel fine. I tried running a few years ago and definitely knew the pain wasn't from overuse:eek: