Stiff After Races? How and Why?

happysongbird

happysongbird

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Jul 1, 2011
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#1
Barefoot Dama mentioned that she doesn't get stiff anymore, now that she runs barefooted. :barefoot: Tristan and I have been having a great deal of stiffness. I was curious about other people's experience with this. It is definitely much more pronounced after a race, and especially this first half. Well, except for that 15 miles my hubby took me on in the desert that very windy day last month, but that was a matter of survival! :inpain:
 
#2
I used to have terrible problems with DOMS after races. I'd be a cripple for a couple days after a marathon. But since going barefoot and minimal, that really does seem to be a thing of the past. The why I'm not sure about but intuitively, it feels to me like I now engage all the muscle groups that are supposed to be part of running, whereas running in shoes with a built-up heel takes the Achilles out of the fomula, overburdening some muscle groups while allowing others to become sort of dormant. When the whole system is functioning as intended, it also deals with the stresses of competition better. Sounds good to me but is basically a way of saying, I dunno, feels good, do it :barefoot:

But it's gotta also be a simple matter of training and experience. If you train a lot at race paces, then the body will adapt to those paces, over time. If you don't, then you're going to feel something after a race.
 
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#3
BFwillie_g said:
If you train a lot at race paces, then the body will adapt to those paces, over time. If you don't, then you're going to feel something after a race.
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I just have a sneaking suspicion that I will always push harder at a race, not even necessarily trying to. For instance, I didn't feel like I was trying harder than my training runs. In fact, in some ways it felt easier at the time. The only clue was knowing my pace was overall faster, but even then, it was only faster for the last 4 miles or so. I am hoping that you are right and that more experience at this distance will make the difference. I didn't have this trouble after the 10Ks or triathlons.
 
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#6
happysongbird said:
I just have a sneaking suspicion that I will always push harder at a race, not even necessarily trying to. For instance, I didn't feel like I was trying harder than my training runs. In fact, in some ways it felt easier at the time. The only clue was knowing my pace was overall faster, but even then, it was only faster for the last 4 miles or so. I am hoping that you are right and that more experience at this distance will make the difference. I didn't have this trouble after the 10Ks or triathlons.
Click to expand...

Yep. I'm a slow runner. The few races I have done have been a full minute/mile faster or more than anything typical for the distance I'd trained for, and on hillier courses, in most cases. Not even competitive in my personality, no really, but something about a race. My guess is that you pushed harder than you thought. Cool. Let your muscles heal and enjoy.
 
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#7
Moving to Health forum with a 1-day redirect.
 
#8
I am going to go on a limb in here but I think all is diet related maybe some deficiencies?
I, too, push myself more on races than I do in training and still have no problems.
I do consume high amounts of Vit C, Magnesium and Potasium all from fresh fruit and vegetables I don't take suplements other than Vit D3.
But I really don't know if that has anything to do with anything.
 
#9
My muscles are only sore after I push myself really hard in a race.
 
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#10
I used to be very stiff in my hips and lower back the day after morning runs. Minimal shoes and running form helped somewhat. Recently, however, I discovered that I carry tension (that's the best way I can describe it) in my hips or a kind of clenching. This applies to my daily activity as well as my running. For the past several weeks, I've been trying to make the conscience decision to relax my hips while walking and running. The improvement has been remarkable. My short and recent forays into barefoot running seem to be bringing even further improvement.
 
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#11
Barefoot Dama said:
I am going to go on a limb in here but I think all is diet related maybe some deficiencies?
I, too, push myself more on races than I do in training and still have no problems.
I do consume high amounts of Vit C, Magnesium and Potasium all from fresh fruit and vegetables I don't take suplements other than Vit D3.
But I really don't know if that has anything to do with anything.
Click to expand...
I eat a very healthy diet, so I doubt that's it. But thanks, anyway.
 
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#12
#15
BFwillie_g said:
I used to have terrible problems with DOMS after races. I'd be a cripple for a couple days after a marathon. But since going barefoot and minimal, that really does seem to be a thing of the past. The why I'm not sure about but intuitively, it feels to me like I now engage all the muscle groups that are supposed to be part of running, whereas running in shoes with a built-up heel takes the Achilles out of the fomula, overburdening some muscle groups while allowing others to become sort of dormant. When the whole system is functioning as intended, it also deals with the stresses of competition better. Sounds good to me but is basically a way of saying, I dunno, feels good, do it :barefoot:

But it's gotta also be a simple matter of training and experience. If you train a lot at race paces, then the body will adapt to those paces, over time. If you don't, then you're going to feel something after a race.
Click to expand...


Definitely training and experience. My "intuitive" thought about barefoot/min running reducing DOMS after races is also a matter of running form. Barefoot running requires more relaxed, springy legs; which improves running efficiency and reduces impact forces. When I began running barefoot, my calves, ankles, and Achilles were sore/tight. After an initial period of DOMS (about two months) during my transition to barefoot, it has subsided and I notice much less general tension throughout my body after high intensity runs. Additionally, the feet become much stronger and conditioned while barefoot (a form of training in and of itself among many elite runners); which improves form and translates into an increased ability to sustain intense efforts and recover from them. These factors will obviously be reflected during races. Running the way nature (physiology) intended!
 
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#16
If you are not stiff and sore sometimes or after certain workouts you are not pushing yourself hard enough. I'm not saying you should be sore after every run or workout but in order to see gains you need to stress yourself some, and that means sore muscles. Sure, I can go out and run 4 miles at a comfortable pace everyday and not be stiff or sore the next day or the next.....but what good is that doing my body if I want to get faster or be able to go longer?
 
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#17
shaunmac said:
If you are not stiff and sore sometimes or after certain workouts you are not pushing yourself hard enough. I'm not saying you should be sore after every run or workout but in order to see gains you need to stress yourself some, and that means sore muscles. Sure, I can go out and run 4 miles at a comfortable pace everyday and not be stiff or sore the next day or the next.....but what good is that doing my body if I want to get faster or be able to go longer?
Click to expand...

I never neant to say that I am not sore after a tough run because I AM, what I am saying is the soreness is ussualy gone the day after. I am never sore/stiff for days otherwise I won't be running three four times a week if I were sore for days end.
 
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#18
Barefoot Dama said:
I never neant to say that I am not sore after a tough run because I AM, what I am saying is the soreness is ussualy gone the day after. I am never sore/stiff for days otherwise I won't be running three four times a week if I were sore for days end.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the clarification.
 
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