h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This weekend, after a rather long break (last September!), I went running again. I did about 7k and went a little faster than I would normally as I was running with my other half who is much fitter than me.

Result: 2 days later I still ache all over.

The question is, why does it hurt? I haven't actually injured myself, it's not like lactic acid production that gives you a stitch, because that goes away rather quickly... What is causing this pain?

(I think I deserve it after this weekend! )

Probably because despite what you say, you really have injured yourself.

Just not in a major way. lots of bits of fibre, connective tissue and muscle have been put under fairly intense stress and break down all over the place. Of course your body heals all this and does it in such a way that the injured bits of tissue are strengthened such that they can withstand the next stressing and so you will be that much better at coping next time.

Good luck with the fitness, it's all worth it.

Orcus (lost 23 lbs in weight since August '06 )

Traveller in Time a little confused by the question
"In the subject I read: Why does it hurt ? And in the posting I read what does make it hurt.

For what I know 'Orcus' covered the second part, although there may be more . . .

Why does it hurt ? The only reason for pain is making you avoid it, this will give your hurting bodypart(s) the time to recover. What your body also suggests is you took it a little over your power, next time not more but at most this level of training. "

Thanks for your answers.

My question might not have been so clear... This morning I was hobbling around in a very painful way and it got me musing about why we get sore and stiff after exercise.

It's not real injuries, but Orcus, what you say does make sense. I'll just have to make sure I keep going now.

If you can wait 24 hours - I'll get my daughter to answer this. She's a sports scientist.

Thanks Teuchter, if it's no trouble...

My response would be, if it hurts, you've overdone it or done inappropriate exercise.

When I go to my Keep Fit Class, our teacher is careful to make us warm up before doing anything strenuous & stretch out muscles before finishing. After a break (holidays) she builds up the effort & pace gradually. She always says that if it hurts, stop & that you shouldn't hurt afterwards if you've paced yourself properly.

It didn't hurt at all while I was doing it, or even afterwards in the afternoon> It's just the mornings afterwards where I'm sore all over. When I'm running regularly, it's less of a problem, but if I've pushed a bit I always feel a bit sore the day afterwards...

What you're experiencing might be DOMP or DOMS. Delayed onset of muscle pain/soreness.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/injuries/a/doms.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_onset_muscle_soreness

http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/1077-muscle-soreness.htm

That sounds exactly right!

Thanks very much. Sounds like you were right as well Orcus. Nice to know that I have an official-sounding name for my pain.

Now do you think I can get a day off with it? "Sorry I can't come to work, I've got a severe case of DOMS."

Clearly lostinclouds is still young & relatively fit or s/he wouldn't even have considered 7K. I used to do things like that all the time in my youth, but my body wouldn't let me do things like that once I got past 40. My body starts hurting while I'm running after 1 or 2 Km if I've laid off that long, forget about the next day.

You've got to face up to physiological facts as soon as possible or risk serious injury with long-lasting consequences. I'm sure I wouldn't have a few chronic aches & pains if I'd been more sensible in my youth. I developed a *very* painful stress fracture in my femur when I ran a marathon I hadn't trained for adequately. It haunts me still.

I strongly encourage you to keep on a regular exercise routine, but don't push the pace too much. You'll enjoy more and be more likely to keep it going for the long run if you start easy and increase very slowly with only an occassional "go for it" day. If running is your thing I recommend reading a good running handbook like, amazingly enough, "The Runner's Handbook" by Bob Glover. Happy Trails!

BTW: I have to say congrats on one of the best Science Explained thread titles to date.

Oops, hadn't even noticed the connotations in the title.

Must be because I'm such an .

Me neither, but it made my day.

I noticed. Now is that a good thing or a bad one? Not sure.

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Hi there,

After picking up sports and getting used to it again, it is common practice to keep at least 48 hours between intensive training sessions (extensive is fine, even good to relieve sores). That way you will be less likely to over-exert yourself and you will give those muscles time to recover.

Normally, if I go running, I start doing about 500 meters to get some heat in, then stretch, then start the real distance.

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