Calves - hiking - ow!

[maillotpois]

Before I got a bike, hiking used to be my big thing. I've climbed Mt. Whitney a half dozen times (about 20 miles RT) and would always go off on the weekends to hike in the mountains outside San Diego where we lived at the time.

Now that I have a bike, I just hike on vacations, mostly in Yosemite. But when I do hike, I notice now that my calves kill me the day afterward. It's crazy. I can ride my bike 375 miles, but hiking makes me limp for days!

I figure it's muscle conditioning, so does anyone have any suggestions for weight work or exercises which might minimize this?

Yesterday, we had a field trip which involved hiking down to Kirby Cove and then back up again. Probably 1.5 miles each way, all on a big hill. But my legs hurt more than they did after last weekend's 200k!!!

[Brandi]

That is so funny you mention that. My husband and I went for a hike to help clear he's mountain bike trail. Lot's of thistle and wild artichoke growing over the single track. When we got back we both noticed our legs were sore. We are going back packing next weekend too. I used to be a big time walker before a became a runner then a cyclist. I would try doing some stair work with weights. And try just taking a few walks before a big hike I find that helps. We are doing just an overnight back packing trip this friday just a trial run so we are a little more in shape for the big one next weekend. And stretch but I am sure you already know that one.

[maillotpois]

That is so funny you mention that. My husband and I went for a hike to help clear he's mountain bike trail. Lot's of thistle and wild artichoke growing over the single track. When we got back we both noticed our legs were sore. We are going back packing next weekend too. I used to be a big time walker before a became a runner then a cyclist. I would try doing some stair work with weights. And try just taking a few walks before a big hike I find that helps. We are doing just an overnight back packing trip this friday just a trial run so we are a little more in shape for the big one next weekend. And stretch but I am sure you already know that one.

Stairs - good idea! Thanks! Maybe I'll hit the dreaded stairmaster at the gym before spinning. Glad to hear it's not just me. It seems so silly to be in pain from such a little thing.

[Brandi]

I have stairs in my house. A lot of them, when I go away to work and come home after being gone like a month. My legs hurt a couple days after getting home. That is just from running up and down them cleaning and stuff. And then of coarse I get back on my bike and then I am really messed up!

[DirtDiva]

I have never felt leg pain like I felt after a friend and I did a four-day, 75ish kilometre tramp (that would be a 'hike' in American, 'cept with more rain ). The worst part was the walk back to town after we'd finished the track proper. Ow ow ow! I was hobbling for days afterwards! My knee was a little sore, but it was mostly muscle pain; I think there must have been several litres of lactic acid in each of my quads alone...

[Lise]

A couple of weeks ago, I was in DC for a day, meeting up with family to drive to VA for a wedding. Mom and I went to the Phillips Collection, then she took the bus back to my brother's place. I elected to walk up Connecticut Ave, and down through the Nat'l Zoo, then up the hill to my brother's house. Great walk, I do it every time I'm there (ie, every other year), and no big deal. The next day, my calves were unbelieveably sore. I could not figure out why! Did I run? no. Did I ride my bike a lot? no. WTH? Took me most of the day to remember the uphill/downhill/uphill walking. It doesn't hurt to go for a long walk here in Illinois!

Signed, your flat-lander friend, Lise

[Brandy]

Stairs - good idea! Thanks! Maybe I'll hit the dreaded stairmaster at the gym before spinning. Glad to hear it's not just me. It seems so silly to be in pain from such a little thing.

Does your gym have a step-mill? I remember reading that it was better for hiking preparation than the regular stairmaster. I just googled and found it!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pac...4/fitness.html

[SadieKate]

I did some push ups last night. I will do some again today. I will NOT be sore. Right?

Maybe I better add some boat poses to that. Ow, this is gonna hurt.