Extreme pain in quads when running - Under developed hamstrings?

[monkeypony]

Yesterday evening I decided to go for a run. This is quite out of character for me and I haven't run since I completed a sprint triathlon in June. That ended in extreme pain in my left quad during the run which I put down to a simple cramp.

Last night the same thing happened again, this time in both quads (outside running down to the knee). It began only a couple of minutes into the run and almost instantly left me unable to bend my legs.

I do a fair few miles on the bike (200+ each week) and have never had any muscle injuries when it comes to riding.

After doing some internet research (a dangerous thing I know) I've read that cycling can lead to underdeveloped ham strings that can lead to the symptoms I'm experiencing. It could also be pt down to RSI.

Has anyone else heard of this? Any idea of how to sort the problem? I dont want to keep riding if it is going to lead to such acute problems when I try and do anything else!

 

[Crankarm]

Quads ................... sorry where exactly on your legs do you mean?

I run and cycle, well don't cycle so much since I gave up road riding commuting, so try do more running. The muscles used for running are totally different to those for cycling. It will hurt for a week to 10 days until your muscles become acustomed to the new stresses expected of them and build up strength and bulk. Don't do too much too soon. Massage your leg muscles before and after running. It'll only take 10-15 minutes but is well worth it IME. If you do stretching which I am NOT suggesting you do, take it easy as you can easily pull a muscle doing this. Best get some miles in your legs first before you start stretching so your muscles are more developed and toned. It's going to be hard at first but persevere. If you have experience doing triathlons then you should be pretty clued up on maintaining your body ............

 

[scott s10]

cyclists legs mate. if you do alot of cycling then suddenly running you will be in pain for days. it feels like you havent stretched but believe me all the bc coaches ivv talked to say its cyclists legs.

 

[L.E.D.]

Noted you posted this on Friday. Which means yesterday your legs were sore, if things follow the normal pattern they will be bloody murder today and stiff as hell ! !

200 miles+ on the bike and no running means excellent strength in your legs but they are as fragile as butterfly wings when it comes to the continuous impact that's involved in running.

The cure is quite simply don't do so much cycling but cross train with other sports, but slowly and gradually ! !

Give your legs time to recover , then next time run about 100yds and then walk. repeat the process slowly and carefully and at any sign of discomfort stop.

Gradually the distance will build up but it takes time.

Take care.

 

[515mm]

Yes. Cyclists legs. Tried running a couple of miles during all that crappy weather last December to try and get some bone density (big Sis is a Personal Trainer and offers all sorts of ''good advice''....)

It hurt. A lot. In my quads.

Big Sis says ''Perservere'' and so I do (able to run again five - yes FIVE - days later) and.........................

........it's fine. Wow. That's almost OK.

My 3rd run was in a howling gale, lashing down with rain, in the dark at 6am. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. Make sure you've a tidy pair of shoes though - get gait analysis at an Up and Running store - well worth the extra tenner on the price of your daps.

 

[jay clock]

I do triathlons and lots of all three sports. Like you, I started by thinking I had strong legs from cycling, went for a run (about 2k) and was in agony the next day. I then followed this programme http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml which forces you to take it easy... and it works....

little and often, and alternating running and walking is the basic trick.....

 

[515mm]

That looks like a teriffic programme. A nice easy start and being told to take it easy too, magic.

 

[jay clock]

it is great. Men find it hard to do a bit of walking when out for a run! Also I remember when I had to do 20 minutes non stop - it felt really hard. Now I can run an hour or so easily, and have the small task of an Ironman to complete!

 

[515mm]

Best of luck with that! Managed a few 5 mile runs but an hour solid? Maybe once the bad weather returns!

 

[monkeypony]

Thanks for the advice folks. As we're getting towards the end of the season the milage I'm doing will naturally decrease So I'll just focus on building up the legs for next season. It was a real shock to be in so much discomfort so quickly but it's good to know I'm not alone!

 

[buddha]

I did my first run in 4 years yesterday (I used to run 10 miles a day, 5 days/week before converting to the cycle religion). My goal was to follow the plan linked in one of the previous posts. I failed miserably, ended up doing much more walking+stretching than running, due to the pain and lack of running fitness. And even got lost in the woods

. Instead of taking 20 minutes, I was out for over an hour.

As expected, there was a fair bit of pain in my legs. But less this morning, so I went out for a 1.5 hr ride. I think this was another mistake

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Made the same mistake for the Great Yorkshire Run

Was enjoying my extended commutes so much i put off running in favour of cycling more as preparation.

The result was 2 minutes 1 second longer than my 10K PB (that'll do, since a couple of minutes can be accounted for by uphill slopes not on my PB route) but 2 days of having to go to work by car and struggling to walk down stairs (Monday was going down stairs backwards).

Will definitely not rely on extra cycling as pre-run prep ever again

 

[2Loose]

'Back in the day' when I cycled a lot (40miles+ a day) I decide one sunny morning to run a mile and half and back to get my milk for a change.

I never ran, I always biked.

I ran, got my milk, sat down, had cereal, toast and tea.

Half an hour later, I got up & fell over. Legs didn't work any more. Going anywhere was hell.

Different muscles.
I don't run any more, since an Achilles tendon problem, but if you ever do, then it must be done regularly (not frequently, just every so often) to keep the muscles and tendons stretched accordingly.

 

[One Louder]

So does cycling actually make your body worse-off when it comes to running? Or is it a case of over-doing a run under the perception that ones cycling fitness will translate over to running?

 

[Garz]

I would say the latter although if all you ever do is cycling then I hear they shorten your hamstrings over time.