recovery after a tiring trek

[edsol]

Hi,

I just came from a 49kms trek and I am really dead tired with my body aching all over. The ascent was the worse, with me stopping 3x just to catch my breath. I took already some pain reliever medicine and massaged my legs but right now, I just feel like crawling into bed and not touch my bike for a month, hehe. What is a good recovery program for amateurs like me or do I just have to accept the fact that at 42 years of age, I am too old for this stuff? Thanks.

Edwin

[DnvrFox]

Hi,

I just came from a 49kms trek and I am really dead tired with my body aching all over. The ascent was the worse, with me stopping 3x just to catch my breath. I took already some pain reliever medicine and massaged my legs but right now, I just feel like crawling into bed and not touch my bike for a month, hehe. What is a good recovery program for amateurs like me or do I just have to accept the fact that at 42 years of age, I am too old for this stuff? Thanks.

Edwin

Goodness. If you are too old at 42, what can I do at 64? Or the rider I met today at age 71 who rides 7,000 miles per year. Or our forum member who is 82 and rides 2,000 miles per year with only one leg?

42 is young, young, young!

It takes a while for your body to get used to the effort and muscles used in biking.

One thing that many do is to take a "recovery ride" the next day. It actually physically helps the muscles to recover by heloing to get rid of some of the "poisons" that make muscles ache. This should be a relaxing ride probably about 10 km or so.

Just give yourself some time. It will get better. AND STOP THINKING OF YOURSELF AS OLD AT 42. THAT IS A SIN IN MY WAY OF THINKING!

Good luck!

[MikeOK]

...or do I just have to accept the fact that at 42 years of age, I am too old for this stuff?

Edwin.... Never let me hear you talking that way again.







(I'm 41)




;)

[SteveE]

Edwin,

I'm 50+ years young and just did my first USCF-sanctioned road race last weekend in the 45+ category. A guy older than I got second place --- in a hotly contested sprint at the finish line. FWIW, I finished in mid-pack. You just need to keep at it and work on increasing your endurance by putting in lots of miles. In building your aerobic base and increasing your endurance, speed doesn't count. That comes later.

I know two guys --- both in their 60's --- who finished the Mt. Everest Challenge (29,000 ft of climbing in two days) last year.

Just keep on pedaling.

[sm266]

Okay, here's what I do: The day of, when you feel beat down, put on a sweatshirt, go to the gas station and get a 10lb bag of ice, fill your tub with cold water and pour the ice in. Sit in the tub for about 15 minutes. An ice bath, closely after hard exertion, does the body good. You'll feel refreshed and not sore at all the next day. Then, go rent videos, and eat junk food until your heart's content. You've earned it.

The next day: take a recovery day. 45-60 minutes, nice slow ride. 15-20 minute slow jog, or a hike. Just get your legs moving and shaking. Do what you want, just do something.

I pick whatever kicked my ***** and begin to do something similar at least 2 times per week. It works and the fitness comes quickly. Right now, it's hillwork. Ahhh, hillwork.

[Red Baron]

Edwin, Edwin, ohhh to be in my 40's again - (I'm 56).
THINK YOUNG _ _ _ _

[late]

Hi,
you know all this, you just need to be reminded of it. Eat some fruit, the C will help you heal.Olympic coaches shove pineapples,kiwi, and papaya at healing athletes because they speed digestion. Go for a walk manana to get some blood flowing through the legs.
Ride easy for a couple days after that.
And don't forget to stretch.