Exercise Doesn’t Hurt As Much As NOT Exercising – Case In Point…

I write often about cycling after I run to feel better, so here’s a perfect addendum to this post and a great case in point:

I went for just under a six mile run in the snow on Sunday, averaging about 9-1/2 minute miles – slow by normal standards, but I just couldn’t go much faster in the slippy conditions. Now, when I run in the snow I have a tendency to “dig in” to the snow with my big toe for balance - not wise, of course – you’re supposed to run on the outside of your feet. By the time I was done, the tendons in my plantar fascia were screaming. My calves were tight, as were my hamstrings… Yesterday, still sore, I rode a nice active recovery ride – 20 minutes at about 24 miles per hour. Trainer to ground, that translates to about 17 mph, maybe a little more. Starting out I was feeling rough. My legs hurt, my hammies were barking and my feet were tight. By the time I was ten minutes in I had loosened up nicely and felt like I could go for hours. After getting home yesterday evening I’d tightened up a little bit but I still felt a lot better than I did before I rode.

Today, feeling better but still a little sore (not stiff anymore) I rode my normal half hour at about 30 mph (I’m on the low side there) and within five minutes, almost as soon as I broke a sweat, I felt right as rain… Back to my old loose self again.

Of course, had the weather been nicer I’d have gone out for a ride on Sunday afternoon and been fine… But then I’d only have been able to squeeze one post out of the day – this way, I milked it for three.