Commuting and Sports
 

I play soccer twice a week, on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday nights. Sundays is a co-ed league with my wife, and usually not super competitive. Wednesday nights is a top mens league, and really competitive. Commuting on Mondays isn't a big deal because most of our games are in the afternoon. But all our games are at 9 or 10pm on Wednesdays, and I find that I have a hard time getting myself to commute on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If I ride on Wednesday I feel like I have no "legs" for my soccer game that night. Then on Thursdays, not only do I have a hard time getting up in the morning, but my legs feel tired and weak. :(
I really enjoy playing soccer, but I also enjoy riding to work and want to ride on a more consistent basis. Maybe I just need to get into better shape by just doing it, then it will become routine.
Do any of you play any sports and still commute?
Do you commute on the day-of or day after you play?
What have you done that helps? or do you just not commute on those days?
Any advice would be great.

How long is your commute? I know a lot of times if I'm real tired from anything the day before I just take it easier, dropping down a few mph doesn't generally raise my time too much but makes going in a lot easier.

I generally view my commute home as a warm-up for my game that night. That said, I only have an 8 mile trip to make. The next morning is a different story. If I brought my A-game that night, then I either have to wake up earlier (grumble) to accommodate a slower pace, or use the car.

Another thing that I've found helps me feel fresher in the morning is a soak in a hot tub (or bath) right after the game. Also ice cream.

Yeah, it's hard with games that late. My commute is about 11 miles or so each way. I generally try to leave the house by about 5:30-5:45am so I can get to work early to cool down, freshen up and change by 7. I will have to try the ice cream! :lol:

My other non-biking sport is... biking, so I can't be of much help there. However, my wife plays soccer at a fairly high level 2-3 times/week, plays squash 2-3 times/week and is in the gym 4-6 days/week. On top of this she bike commutes unless it's colder than -20C. When she is tired from all her various activities but still has to ride home, she just rides slowly. Sometimes she comes stumbling into the kitchen and lays on the floor for a while, complaining about how tired she is. It's really quite entertaining.

My commute is 46-50 miles, round trip. My soccer games were always on Friday or Saturday nights. The hardest part I had was making sure I had someone lined up to bring the net, (playing goalie, I was responsible for getting the net there and hanging it). When playing indoor, I just packed my kit on the bike and got there with time to eat.

If you're riding and playing twice a week, I think your body will adjust to the new routine. Just be sure to feed the engine and stay hydrated. Eating a smart meal after your games will help you feel better the next morning.

Unless you're starting on the bench, I wouldn't ride on wednesday. Save your efforts for the pitch.

Thursday needs to be a recovery day. That means rest but you can also rest on your bike IF you're sensible and disciplined and this is where a Heart Rate Monitor is useful. Do the ride but keep your HR right down - there are charts that tell you where to put a recovery ride and it's very low. With careful gear selection and thoughtful riding, it's not hard ride with your heart just ticking over but it is hard to counter the urge to push too hard and this is where the HRM is useful - it's an indicator of how hard you're riding. Personally, the 'drop a couple of gears and keep the speed down' thinking doesn't work because after a bit, I feel good and start to go for it again.

A recovery ride (as opposed to a flat out record attempt) will loosen the muscles, pump blood through the muscles to help clean them out (lactic acid and all that other stuff I've heard about and don't really understand) and I think should be a good thing, but your body does need rest sessions so the ride needs to be a recovery ride.

Just some thoughts from someone with a poor understanding of this whole fitness game ... because I'm too lazy :D

Richard

I play hockey 2-3 times a week. I don't commute on game or practice days because of the amount of gear involved and I usually go straight from work to the rink. However, I do try and get in 5-10 miles of rec riding on the weekend game days. I can usually get a better and deeper stretch if I've put my legs through some work.

Next summer I might start playing in a league that is about 5 miles away and I thought it would be cool to throw the gear in the kiddie trailer.

I play basketball once a week in the evenings. I used to not bike the day I played and the next day, but it's only pick-up ball at my church so I decided I can bike the day of. Unfortunately we play from around 9:00 up to 11:00 and it always takes me hours to wind down, so I get to bed very late that night. I sleep in the next morning and drive to work in order to make it on time. It's a good opportunity to lift weights at my work gym.

I play racquetball (at a pretty intense level) two to three days a week. I try to take it a little easy going home on days I play or else I do end up with "dead" legs.

Thanks for advise. I think that I will try riding on one of those days, and just take it easy...leave a little early and take my time. I just need to remember that when I am actually riding instead of trying to make it a record time or something.

bingo

Ride slower. A few mph only benefits you if you're doing the ride for fitness purposes.

I agree with slowing down a bit. Riding at a speed of about 10-14 mph (depending on the bike and hilliness) isn't really exercise at all. But make sure you also take it easy riding home after the game. That's when you can really wear your body out.

How about taking the bus to practice?

mondays I play basketball. i drive that day because i don't have enough time as it is to get there by car.