The Burn June 28, 2007

We are told to “ride through the burn.” Maybe, if you’re near the end of a race or you’re riding just ahead of a mother grizzly with her eye on your butt, but not if you’re trying to enjoy yourself and convince yourself to come back for more. The burn of fatigued muscles is their way of telling you they’re not exactly enjoying aerobic bliss. In fact, they’re running out of oxygen, and you need to listen and give ‘em some space.

My workouts run about 20-25 miles, and I accidentally discovered that if I hop off at about 2-3 miles after I start my workout, or about the time I first feel that initial workout fatigue, and slow stretch the four major leg muscle groups (quads, hamstrings, adductors/groin & gluts) – no bouncing or yanking – I effectively stop the burn, my leg muscles feel better than fresh, and I can finish the workout without another stop if I choose. Early on I found myself stretching at 5-6 mile intervals, or whenever I felt the burn. I was out there to enjoy the feeling of the trail, not to pass people (or so I lied to myself).

Relax, enjoy, stretch, and hydrate. Who cares if I pass you on the trail while you stretch? With a little pleasant patience, you’ll be yelling “Passing!” from behind me in no time.