Legs Burning

[gopherhockey]

Ok.. after posting about back pain and now leg pain ya'll are going to think I'm a baby or something ;)

Seriously though, lately I have noticed my legs burn and almost itch. It seems the more I ride the more this happens on non-riding days. It gets so I have to fidget around moving my legs (even when trying to sleep) so I don't feel that burning.

My guess is that I'm either not getting the right cooldown or warmup efforts in when I ride, or I'm not eating right, or I'm not letting my legs heal from something else... ?

I also get leg cramps like crazy - probably connected somehow.

Any doctors in the house???

[nigel]

Hrmmmmm it burns when you ride huh......who have you been riding with John!

[noise_is_life]

Are you just riding hard every time, or do you ever just get out and do an easy spin once in a while. Sounds like lactic acid buildup. When I was doing alot of road riding in college I got to a point where I could barely stand to touch my quads. I didn't stretch at all and never took recovery rides.

[Panman]

Not sure if this is it but one time I had something were my legs itched and it wouldn't go away. So, I washed my bed sheets and took a good shower. It went away. I think I picked something up riding and it got into my bed sheets, like itch weed or something. Try washing sheets and a good shower.

[gopherhockey]

Are you just riding hard every time, or do you ever just get out and do an easy spin once in a while. Sounds like lactic acid buildup. When I was doing alot of road riding in college I got to a point where I could barely stand to touch my quads. I didn't stretch at all and never took recovery rides.I usually ride either medium or hard... I try to take it easy, even when warming up in the beginner loop - but I always seem to get into a rythm (or another rider forces me to ride faster... would hate to be passed you know haha) and just go.

I ride every other day unless it rains, then I get a break or I go out and do some trailwork ;) My only warmup is the beginner loop. I don't really cool down even though I know I should.

The itching doesn't seem to be a skin itch either - its like a deep inside itch kind of thing. My legs then start to feel really heavy... at times it almost feels like I can't even walk up stairs or ride another lap, but only riding seems to give relief.

Maybe its ride addiction.. ;)

Is there anything other than maybe better stretching and cooldown a person can do? How much cooldown is usually required... a few laps around the parking lot maybe?

The worst thing is that I can't ride as well when I'm like this... I mean I feel myself getting stronger in some areas, but actually going backwards in others...

[Trevize1138]

Sounds like there are a couple things:

Try try TRY to ride easier! If you're riding medium to hard every other day then you might be over training. Long slow distance should be the staple, not the exception.

Yeah, I know, it's hard when you've got that male ego thing to get over. I wrestle with the same thing "I can't slow down, 'cause then I'll get passed and they'll think I'm a pozer with a $4K full suspension who used to drive an X-Terra!"

The other issue could very well be diet if you've got muscle cramps. Potassium! Bananas are your friend. That, and Cliff/Power bars are loaded with Potassium. Try to eat something while you ride, too. I've only started doing that this season and it helps out with energy level, muscle stiffness, cramps. I even don't have to drink as much water if I've eaten a Cliff bar in the middle of the ride.

[noise_is_life]

I agree with Chris, it sounds like overtraining.

I would try going out for a ride on the road, 10 miles or so at a really easy pace spinning with a easy cadence, and drink lots of water.

[TrailPatrol]

...Stay out of the poison ivy in bike shorts. :D

Seriously, there is a chance your two problems are related. I would get thyself into a sports physican pretty fast. The leg problems are often/frequently/usually a symptom of a back injury. And I would take it easy out there until you see a doc.

"I am not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, but right now we're in the middle of nowhere, and I'm the guy with the first aid kit." :crazy2:

Ride SAFER!
:banana:
Hans

[gopherhockey]

Bananas are your friend.
Now we're getting personal ;) :banana:

Seriously though these are all great suggestions! Sounds like I need to ride a little smarter and not be afraid to put the bike on some pavement once in a while...

[halls]

"They say", active recovery is best as opposed to just sitting around. A heart rate of 60 to 65 % for 30mins to a couple of hours depending on the amount of time you spend at lactate threshold. Use a scale of 1 to 10 to rate the ride time at or near a level were you are max. On your 1hr. ride if you spend 20 to 45 mins. at an 8 to 10 level your bod, will need about 24hrs. to get back to normal.
The itching in the legs could be a sign of blood moving back into the muscles. Heavy legs ,lactate acid an easy ride will do you good. The older one gets the easier it is to do. Probably more than you needed to know, but i try to do this it can help. It's just so boooooooooring!!:zzz:

[destrago]

It seems the more I ride the more this happens on non-riding days.

This is your body's way of being annoyed with you for not riding EVERY day. :D

Seriously though - I'd just lighten the load a little bit - ride just a touch slower and it's amazing how much easier it gets and how much less it hurts (unless you're currently training for the olymics). I'd also take it easy on trail work days: don't go hauling huge rocks and logs around by yourself - let others help you.. and if not enough people show up to do the work then let it wait until there are enough people. (this is more for the back thread than this one).


-Tony

[homebrewbiker]

Well I am about 40 and do not suffer from this. My "training" schedule is:

lift weights legs ~ 1 hour twice a week
lift weights upper body ~ 1 hour twice a week
weekends mountain bike riding (1 - 2 hours per day when weather permits)
maybe 1 one other ride during the week

Some other thoughts: I do tend to take breaks while riding
When I ride @ Wirth I ride from home so there is a natural warm up cool down built in, takes about 25 minutes to get there about 15 - 20 to get back home depending upon where I exit.

Maybe try a lap on the beginner trail al Lebanon after you are done?

For what it is worth, I filled out some survey on a site (it was a bottled water company) and they said based on my level of activity and weight I should be getting about 110 oz of water per day, somewhat higher than the standard 8 - 10 cups per day thrown out as "good enough".

You might want to consider a good multi-vitamin as well given your level of activity, probably some althletic blend (I take the Lifetime Fitness vitamins but they are a bit expensive).

Finally, make sure you are getting a good balance of protein and carbs in your diet, avoid processed foods if possible.

[gopherhockey]

Finally, make sure you are getting a good balance of protein and carbs in your diet, avoid processed foods if possible.
This is another topic I'm quite interested in. I'm pretty sure my diet of caffiene and pizza isn't really helping much.

I've thought about consulting a nutritionist in this regard.

[ryno lite]

The point brought up about weight lifting is pretty pertinent also. I hear once we get to our 30s and 40s we can still perform reasonably well, but it takes more to keep up. We can't just cruise on youth. I've heard one of the most important things that runners and bikers can do is be on a light weight lifting schedule of some kind. It's amazing how much lifting weights can help endurance sports! Of course I talk, but I'm out of shape in the cardio and muscle departments! I'd love to have my own gym and a simple day to day plan on what to do. Just something simple and not too time consuming could go a long way!

[drchad]

Check out seek-balance.com Craig & Morgan are the owners and do an absolutely awesome job. In fact we pay for our whole office to work out there 2 times per week! :banana:

[noise_is_life]

This is another topic I'm quite interested in. I'm pretty sure my diet of caffiene and pizza isn't really helping much.

I've thought about consulting a nutritionist in this regard.
One thing that I tried last spring (2003) when I was riding alot was the recovery drink Endurox R4. It supposedly has stuff in it to help with lactic acid buildup.

I've also read good things about Athlete Octane.

[homebrewbiker]

One thing that I tried last spring (2003) when I was riding alot was the recovery drink Endurox R4. It supposedly has stuff in it to help with lactic acid buildup.

I've also read good things about Athlete Octane.
Just watch out for dreaded HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). A lot of the "sports" drinks are loaded with that crap.

[Tetreves]

Check out seek-balance.com Craig & Morgan are the owners and do an absolutely awesome job. In fact we pay for our whole office to work out there 2 times per week! :banana:
Do you ever speak up to do anything besides advertising? Mr. "This is my second post".

Ok, just giving you a hard time.

I just had another thought on the topic, though: exessive carbonation might cause something like that to occur. I know there's alot of possible causes here already...

umm...eat at burrito loco...:crazy: