Aches and pains..

This is too early for this, right?

I rode 56 miles last week (Sunday to Sunday, which I suppose is one day more than one week). First "real" week of training, as I was on vacation for 9 days and previous to that only went out a few times for a couple of ten mile warmup rides, if you will.

Leg muscles feel great, which is amazing considering I am an office schlub. My right ankle hurts - inside, not outer ankle... and my lower back a little but more my upper back between the shoulder blades.

Normal? Apparently I toe-in big time on my right side, according to a riding companion. I haven't been fitted yet so I am still wearing sneakers with stirrup pedals (IE not clipless and not flat pedals). The ankle isn't debilitating but it does hurt and that's only with 15 mile rides.

Get a fitting and work on your core strength. Relax your arms and keep your shoulders from hunching up. Light hands, not death grip. Start there and keep riding.

Thanks - will do. I will check to see if I am hunching/gripping. It may be more "leaning"... maybe I need fitted? (on the list of things to do soon).

For your lower back, make sure you stretch regularly, especially your hamstrings and quads.