Legs Aching & Snotty Nose!

[BinBag]

Right here are my issues.

1. My legs ache terribly when I get on the saddle for my daily commute, which is 12 miles each way. It's like I've never ridden before. It's only started recently (after Xmas actually) - to the point where I've bought some protein powder to see if that works. I'm eating the same things as before Xmas, and I initially thought it was because of Xmas, but I've been out at the weekends as well and that's not had a detrimental effect.

2. After approx 10-12 miles I start getting a really snotty nose to the point that it's pouring out of my nostrils - this continues for a while then subsides to normal sniffles. I'm not ill (I don't think) and I don't have a cold.

Anyone esle suffer any of these? Got any tips or sheds of light?

Leg aching and snotty Binbag.

Ta

 

[numbnuts]

Not too sure about your legs, but the runny nose, I get this we discussed this a while back on YACF and it seems you are not alone, one memeber said it maybe “Sinus problems caused by too much cold air hitting your sinuses” with me in very cold weather my nose just runs when I'm on the bike, but as soon as I get indoors it stops so it has to be something with the cold air

 

[tyred]

Cold air makes my nose run as well.

 

[youngoldbloke]

It's a sure sign that Spring has arrived when your nose stops running on a ride. Seriously, my nose runs like a tap when the air is cold - single figures *C. As for the achy legs ....... maybe if you are riding everyday you need to take a rest day now and again. 24 miles a day plus more at weekends may be pushing it a bit to start.

 

[buddha]

I get the runny nose and take hayfever/allergy tablets year-round to minimise it.

 

[chigman]

I get a real bad snotty ooter all year round. I'm forever clearing the tubes out but not sure whats causing it?

Steve

 

[Mad at urage]

Snotty nose already answered.

Legs aching: That's the muscles reminding you they are there!

Seriously(ish), someone posted on here a short while back about "it's great to feel the burn in the legs after a climb"; yeah (thought I reading it) that's how I used to feel when I was cycling regularly, but coming back after three years, I 'almost' think of it as pain sometimes (most of the time it does feel like pain ).

Although there'll undoubtedly be advice about improving your diet to help, generally if you have a wide and balanced diet, it'll sort itself.

 

[Fiona N]

If you've gone to 24 miles per day, 5 days a week from nothing in about 6 weeks, it's no wonder your legs ache - they're tired

Seriously, if you weren't used to this level of exercise, your legs will take a while to adapt. If they warm up after a couple of miles, you're probably OK but if they're still tired and everything's an effort, try taking a few days rest and do some swimming or something (or get a sports massage) to loosen the muscles and get the blood flowing.

Also are you cooling down at the end of a ride? I know when I used to commute, I used to hammer home and jump off the bike, shower, dinner, no cool down, no stretching and by Friday my legs felt like someone was wringing them out. It's definitely worth taking the time to slack your pace over the last couple of miles and stretch a bit when you get in - nothing fancy just hamstrings, quads and calfs, maybe glutes if you're feeling enthusiastic.

 

[rmiker]

I used to suffer with a constant runny nose when cycling.
The cure for me was to start wearing glasses.
I have some wrap around ones with interchangeable lenses.
May sound odd but it works for me.

Mike

 

[Banjo]

Right here are my issues.

1. My legs ache terribly when I get on the saddle for my daily commute, which is 12 miles each way. It's like I've never ridden before. It's only started recently (after Xmas actually) - to the point where I've bought some protein powder to see if that works. I'm eating the same things as before Xmas, and I initially thought it was because of Xmas, but I've been out at the weekends as well and that's not had a detrimental effect.

2. After approx 10-12 miles I start getting a really snotty nose to the point that it's pouring out of my nostrils - this continues for a while then subsides to normal sniffles. I'm not ill (I don't think) and I don't have a cold.

Anyone esle suffer any of these? Got any tips or sheds of light?

Leg aching and snotty Binbag.

Ta

Your seat hasnt moved down a bit on its own has it? Other thasn that maybe your still suffering from a winter virus or something. Took me well over a month to comp[letely get rid of my winter bug.

 

[BinBag]

Thanks for all the replies people.

I'm going to put the runny nose down to the cold air, and see if it improves as the spring kicks in. It's damn annoying though when you've got full finger gloves on and nowhere to get rid of it!

As for the legs - taken on board what you've all said. I'm guilty of waking up and literally getting straight on my bike, no warm up at all. I feel that I get enough sleep - and on weekend rides it does take me a good 10 miles to get over the pain and into a rhythm, I just hope it's not doing any long term damage.

I did 4 days a week most of last year, and only stopped because of the snow over Xmas - then jumped straight into 4 days a week after a 4 week lay off (with only 3 leisure rides in between). I drink the protein whey after every ride, so hopefully that will help. I don't warm down either - it's drink, shower, tea, kids to bed, relax.

So for that, I'm going to persevere with it, and see if my legs adjust to it - it's probably just my legs getting stronger (hopefully)!