I know mine are after running the Broad Street Run today and then sitting for a long period in the car on the way home. It's amazing, run 10 miles, only to be barely able to hobble in about an hour.
These are the effects of distance racing. You may not feel sore or stiff after a long training run, but you inevitably will after a long race. The body gets pushed to it's limits, the speed is greater, the intensity is stronger, and the endorphins are not telling you to slow down one bit. Lactic acid gets generated as a waste product from this turbocharged effort and then sits in the muscles, saying hello with its debilitating presence.
My recommendations:
After a hard road race, ride an exercise bike loosely with low to moderate resistance, this lactic acid can indeed be burned away as energy, so the longer you stay immobile, the longer you will be sore, get on that bike! No bike? A nice 10 minute walk should have the same effect. Instead of stretching those leg muscles right away, massage them lightly, focusing on the largest ones, the hamstrings and quads, go after the calfs next because they will most likely hurt the most tomorrow. This will help flush out any acids. Finally go into light stretching on all leg muscles, holding at least 25 seconds per stretch.
Don't forget your nutritional needs. Drink plenty of water, rehydrate, and have a complete meal to replenish the body with the carbohydrates you depleted, and protein to help repair those sore muscles.
Start planning your next event!
You could not be more on target. After being stuck in the parking lot for well over an hour, I was barely able to maneuver myself out of the car and up the sidewalk to the house. Thanks for sharing that information, I thought I was the only one feeling this way!
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