Ouch! Delayed pain from exercise? what's up with this?

[BiggJawn]

I took a 25-miler the other night, and felt great all throughout yesterday.
Come yesterday evening, I started feeling like I'd been in a wreck. Muscles sore, back hurt, joints complaining...

This isn't the first time I've noticed this. Have a great ride, can hardly move 2 days later.

Is this normal?

[HuckleB]

1. Yes. It's quite normal after activity that goes well beyond one's

normal range. It's OK. Do it again this weekend, and it won't be nearly as bad!

:)

[GOPisEvil]

2. Yeah...I always feel the worst on the second day after a hard workout.

The first time I ever did a leg workout, I was ok that day and the day after (slight pain). The second day, I could not walk. Literally. My muscles had seized to the point where I couldn't straighten my legs.

[jukes]

3. BiggJawn

i'm a martial artist. i've noted, but can't explain why, that after a layout followed by a heavy session, muscle pain typically takes 18>24 hours to manifest.

pop some ibu, hot-soak, light stretching till your next ride.

[AngryAmish]

4. Get a massage

A real, professional massage from a massage therapist. Not in some strip mall by the airport that advertises "All Asian Staff".

Massages in the short term will generally get you moving. They do promote healing by increasing blood flow. And done right, they will help push the lactic acid out of the muscles (a source of pain).

I am definately not an alternative medicine guy. But professional massages really do help.

[mrboba1]

5. delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/injuries/a/doms.htm

100% normal.

[Trajan]

6. AKA ...

Microtrauma

[mrboba1]

7. I just loved how they

always have a name and acronym for everything in this world. I googled "muscle pain two days later" and found this with ease.

Why didn't they just call it ISFWO?
(I'm Sore From Working Out)

:D

[floridaguy]

8. OK, big guy I can relate to this one

I'm betting it was a post-Lance viewing that gave you that little adrenaline push. I got the same push, but after I rode about 20 yesterday, I got a massage in the afternoon. Like someone smart here said, a REAL massage.

I'm also an LMT and personal trainer, and I have to say the comments here have been right on the mark. Light stretching will definitely be helpful. Do try to get back on the bike as soon as you feel you can, but don't push it. Just get the muscles and joints going to keep everything moving.

I'm also a big fan of Yoga.

Good luck.

[BiggJawn]

11. No, it's "busy lifestyle so pack it in when you can syndrome"

I only get to ride a coupla times a week, and I want to get as much out of it as I can, since it'll be most likely almost a week before I get another one in.

Lance got me back on the bike, but it's all BiggJawn (and an impending Century ride) that pushes me.

[floridaguy]

14. Ooooh Century Ride!

Good luck.

[Bruce McAuley]

9. Something that works: Arnica oil or tincture...

I've been using it for 25 years, and I have never found its equal for muscle soreness after exertion. Just rub it on the sore areas, it WORKS!
Many massage oils have it as a basic component for good reason. It has been used from time out of mind as a folk remedy for bruises, sprains and overexercised muscles.
I dunno what it does, but I always keep a plentiful supply on hand. It doesn't hurt that it grows around here.
Good stuff, kinda pricey but worth it. For EXTERNAL use only.
:hi:

Bruce

[jukes]

10. Bruce McAuley

tiger balm worx well, too, but keep it away from mucus membranes. in HS track, we used to smear guys jockstraps w/it as a practical joke.


if you can find a *real* chinese herbalist, "dit da jow" is a marvelous topical remedy. don't mail order, lots of scammers. have to go to china town, & be obsequious.

[BiggJawn]

12. Thanks, Everyone!

I was actually worried that it was some dire disease popping it's head up.
When you've had "great" luck like I have most my life, you come to expect karmic crotch-kicks like that...

[jukes]

13. BJ

"karmic crotch-kicks" is a *GREAT* line! love alliteration.

i'll be stealing that from you, but won't plagiarize it on DU!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. Totally normal

The second day after exertion is always the worst.