Low Intensity Pain, Hi Intensity Pain Free

Tim · Postby **Tim** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 12:23 pm

Why is it so?
Been doing a modest total weekly distance of 200 plus K's per week. Have done so for five years now, increasing annual distance and intensity by the recommended 10%.
On low intensity solo rides I feel at various times every pre-existing arthritic ache and pain from wrists, elbows, lower back, shoulders and neck and sometimes knees and ankles. These aren't cycling induced problems, just a product of 30 years of physical occupations, it is not a result of poor bike fit. I don't use any anti-inflamatories or pain killers. No drugs.
Once or twice a week I ride with a younger group at much higher intensities. Maximum effort hill climbs, 40KPH+ averages on the flat, short sprints and jumpy speed changes.
On these rides although I generally feel fatigued I can hold my own and have noticed that most often I don't feel any significant joint pain either during or after the ride.
Is the higher effort releasing the "feel good" chemicals or am I so focused on the social interaction and high intensity that the pain is blocked.
Any theories or explanations?

foo on patrol · Postby **foo on patrol** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 3:59 pm

At the low levels, you are not changing your position, where as at the faster rides, you are changing the points of contact, therefore everything changes with your position.

Foo

cyclotaur · Postby **cyclotaur** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:22 pm

I get something similar, in that I don't really get going until around the 30-40k mark. So my best rides are the longer ones.

I do make judicious use of ibuprofen occasionally, though I'm not coffee-powered like many cyclists.

Tim · Postby **Tim** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:12 pm

Thanks Foo and Cyclotaur.
I can't really explain it but I think moving about constantly, in and out of the drops, off the saddle, fast, slower, hard climbing and all the various changes might be the answer.

Dr_Mutley · Postby **Dr_Mutley** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 2:40 am

Cortisol, adrenaline, and endorphins [THUMBS UP SIGN]

Parker · Postby **Parker** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:33 am

Oh hey, I can ride 90km in like 2:42:00 and it's not very painful at all. Riding 100km on the othere hand with mates who're slower than me over a period of 4-5 hours is actually really uncomfortable.

Tim · Postby **Tim** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:40 pm

Dr_Mutley wrote:Cortisol, adrenaline, and endorphins [THUMBS UP SIGN]

Where can I get some more?

Parker wrote:Oh hey, I can ride 90km in like 2:42:00 and it's not very painful at all. Riding 100km on the othere hand with mates who're slower than me over a period of 4-5 hours is actually really uncomfortable.

I can very much relate to that.

casual_cyclist · Postby **casual_cyclist** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 6:48 pm

Tim wrote:
Dr_Mutley wrote:Cortisol, adrenaline, and endorphins [THUMBS UP SIGN]
Where can I get some more?

Ride in the red zone (heart rate). If I run slow, my legs hurt. If I run normal to quick, they don't. If I run in the red zone it feels awesome... but I can't make it very far

Dr_Mutley · Postby **Dr_Mutley** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 7:03 pm

casual_cyclist wrote:
Tim wrote:
Dr_Mutley wrote:Cortisol, adrenaline, and endorphins [THUMBS UP SIGN]
Where can I get some more?
Ride in the red zone (heart rate). If I run slow, my legs hurt. If I run normal to quick, they don't. If I run in the red zone it feels awesome... but I can't make it very far

Sounds like my bedroom routine....

casual_cyclist · Postby **casual_cyclist** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 7:12 pm

Dr_Mutley wrote:Sounds like my bedroom routine....

Water spit