Recovery time after a century?

[Bike Goddess]

Isabot- From what you are saying, it sounds like you had a tough century! Congrats on finishing your first one (I neglected to say that earlier)!!!!!

Yeah, it's hard to eat right afterwards. However, if you do a recovery drink within the 1st 30 minutes after you have stopped riding, your body will assimilate the nutrients quickly and efficiently. This will make a difference later on. Also, it should help quell your voracious appetite that you experienced that day.

A recovery ride the next day is also good as Caligurl mentions. I always get out there even if it is for a short distance. Seems to help keep me limber in the legs!

Naps, lots of naps!

[Brecca]

I can well sympathize with all of your post century aches, pains and fatigue. Trust me, you are completely normal. I road my third century today and plan to work a full eight hours tomorrow. My fiance and I rode our catrikes, he a 700 and I rode a speed. (Todays ride was his 77th consecutive monthy century ride)My knees hurt and the last 6 miles were uphill into a headwind. I loved it. We ran into a group of friends after 40 miles and rode with them for 25. All guys and big dog riders. It was brutal and once again I enjoyed it emensely. These guys cruise in the middle 20s when they ride so I was cranking my heart out to keep up with them...thus the sore knees.

As a rule I hydrate myself after a century and drink 2+ liters during the ride. Gatorade is the best drink I've found to keep cramps in check during a ride. I have to admit that I treat myself to a good meal afterwards also, and don't worry about calories. The next day I try to ride a short, easy ride, 1-5 miles, and slowly increase my distances with each consecutive ride. My usual full recovery time is about a week, but once the post ride discomfort dies down, I'm a stronger rider. I have to recover quickly from this century as we are racing at Xenia, Ohio this next weekend and attending a trike ralley on Friday.

Granted, you have to take into consideration that I'm 53 when it comes to recovery time. Everyone recuperates differently. My best advice as a nurse is to listen to your body. A good rule of thumb is to push until it hurts, but don't push it any farther. If you go out and ride the next day and the pain is worse or uncomfortable, either ride easy or wait another day and try again.But don't push past the pain threshold. You'll only set yourself back and possible cause yourself more discomfort.

And keep riding those centuries!!! They are what seperates riders from cyclists!!!