Tired or restless leg syndrome is pretty common among long distance runners. After a particularly long and hard effort you find that your legs become restless during sleep, sometimes this is just a matter of muscle spasms and twitching that wont allow you to get a full nights rest. Other times its more severe causing your legs to involuntarily kick in rapid jerky movements, this can happen for several nights until your body has recovered to a sufficient level.
This has never happened to me as a result of biking until last night. There is always a lead up to these episodes usually the result of over-training. The week prior I ran for 30 miles spread out over 4 days, one day I bicycled at a moderate pace for 60 minutes.
On Saturday I rested in preparation for a group ride on Sunday. I had done this ride before and its not really physically challenging but for me its technically difficult since its very tight and twisty. At times I felt the early twinges of leg cramps from low speed / low spin torque usually in an effort to save myself from hitting a tree or stump; I dont flow well. The ride was fun and lasted for about 4 ½ hours, or 4 solid hours of riding. My legs were not overly tired but my upper back, shoulders and forearms were feeling the strain.
Monday I could feel the effect of the effort but I did not feel fatigued. I went for a 12 mile cardio loop on fire roads with my usual crew. Nothing dramatic to report you typically move a bit slower at night but we still got good workout.
and then last night I experienced several bouts of restless leg syndrome, kicking and lurching myself awake several times. No different than if I had just finished a 50K or similar event. Bad news and hardly any sleep at all. I keep track of all the usual things and I know I was not dehydrated.
Do any of you ever get this result from biking? I found this unusual since all my running as been at a very moderate pace the biking I described was only 6 hours in sessions spaced over 5 days. Curious.
This has never happened to me as a result of biking until last night. There is always a lead up to these episodes usually the result of over-training. The week prior I ran for 30 miles spread out over 4 days, one day I bicycled at a moderate pace for 60 minutes.
On Saturday I rested in preparation for a group ride on Sunday. I had done this ride before and its not really physically challenging but for me its technically difficult since its very tight and twisty. At times I felt the early twinges of leg cramps from low speed / low spin torque usually in an effort to save myself from hitting a tree or stump; I dont flow well. The ride was fun and lasted for about 4 ½ hours, or 4 solid hours of riding. My legs were not overly tired but my upper back, shoulders and forearms were feeling the strain.
Monday I could feel the effect of the effort but I did not feel fatigued. I went for a 12 mile cardio loop on fire roads with my usual crew. Nothing dramatic to report you typically move a bit slower at night but we still got good workout.
and then last night I experienced several bouts of restless leg syndrome, kicking and lurching myself awake several times. No different than if I had just finished a 50K or similar event. Bad news and hardly any sleep at all. I keep track of all the usual things and I know I was not dehydrated.
Do any of you ever get this result from biking? I found this unusual since all my running as been at a very moderate pace the biking I described was only 6 hours in sessions spaced over 5 days. Curious.
I did not run on Tuesday or Wednsesday, I plan to take the rest of the week off and just sit tight while it takes care of itself. I'll be well rested and will try to keep up with the big dogs on Sunday's road bike adventure.
