Hi everyone, It is now the month of base miles and after 2 bad post ride afternoons I'm sure that some of you must know a trick or two that you'd will be willing to share. What I'm really curious about is Compression (versus Elevation)? I went for a 3 & 1/2 hour mtb ride last Saturday... suffered tons and spent the entire afternoon tired and semi conscious. Woke on Sunday and went out for a 120 km road ride in a nasty South Easter. Sunday afternoon was better than the previous day, but still not great. Now, my friend that rode with me on the Sunday ride has just bought compression tights (www.ppfitness.co.za) which he used after the ride and then, a couple of hours later, kindly phoned me to say that he was feeling as fresh as a daisy and was off again for a mtb ride. As I understand it, the blood pools in the leg muscles that have been working and away from the brain making you feel tired. These tights help by placing pressure around these muscles and forcing the blood to circulate (removing lactic acid) and general recovery. The reason I've also asked about elevation is that it is the pre technological solution to this problem. Instead of compression around the muscles, you elevate the legs and use gravity to draw the excess blood (and lactic acid) out of the leg muscles. After my 140 km road ride this morning, I put on some music and elevated the legs for about 1/2 hour. Result, I'm feeling pretty wide awake. (Errrm, disregard this if you find too many spelling mistakes ) But.... and it is a BIG BUT, as the half hour was up I cramped severely in my one calve!!! and it is still quite tender now. I am sure that it is a result of the draining of extra blood and nutrients caused by the elevation??? The theory of the compression tights makes sense. But I would like to hear your guys (and girls) comments. Thanks and Bye.
