I did the Chicago Triathlon this weekend, Sprint Distance. The bike was only 13.6 miles which I realize is a drop in the bucket for most of you, but it was pretty much my longest ride ever.
When I got off the bike my legs were mostly fine (knees were a bit sore) but my lower back was KILLING ME. This was NOT the spine - I've had bulging discs before and those were fine. This was the actual muscle in the lower half of my back above my rear end. I got off the bike and stretched it as well as I could but I ended up walking the run portion, save the very end (because you HAVE to run across the finish line, obviously).
Is this a sign I need to either get more experience on the bike or maybe do some core exercises to strengthen my abs and back? The pain is gone now, but it lasted through the morning after the race.
Thoughts and/or advice?
