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    Help! Save my legs!

    Posts: 626 Member
    edited January 27 in Fitness and Exercise
    I accidentally just ran 18 miles (that's triple my normal distance and I'm not really a regular runner anymore), and I already FEEL IT in my legs. I've never run my legs out like this. What can I do to salvage them? Ice? Ibuprofen? I have seriously messed up my legs before. I once suffered a 3 month period where I could not sprint without drop to the ground pain in my legs, and I still have no idea why.

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    • Posts: 318 Member
      1) Ibuprofen
      2) Don't sit for too long. Keep walking around and stretching.
      3) Use a foam roller on your legs.
      4) Get a really good night sleep
      5) Pray. :laugh:
    • Posts: 369 Member
      how do you accidently run 18 miles?
    • Posts: 242 Member
      How the heck do you "accidently" run 18 miles? LMAO
    • Posts: 211 Member
      how do you accidently run 18 miles?

      My thoughts exactly! But, I certainly hope you don't suffer too much :(
    • Posts: 3,237 Member
      Did u sign up for one of those 5k marathons thinking it was just a 5k?
    • Posts: 329 Member
      Puzzled as to how one 'accidentally' runs 18 miles. I'm assuming you accepted a 'dare' and were not wise enough to see the risk in that. Ok, so your leg muscles are full of lactic acid which causes soreness but continued circulation of your blood and probably a jacuzzi will allow the lactic acid to leave your cramping muscles. whether you have any permanent injury is something you'll discern after the soreness is alleviated. certainly use your pain killer of choice and possibly rest with your legs elevated. Epsom salts and a hot bath tonight and a good night's sleep. my guess is that your lower back is more out of sorts than your legs. if you have fascitis or something that resolves it self as well.
    • Posts: 626 Member
      I was doing an out and back run, and I just guessed the distance between the two points. I was wrong... very wrong...

      Back is fine though... I've been out backpacking with a heavy pack a lot lately. Also the reason I thought my legs were strong enough for this.
    • Posts: 704 Member
      How the heck do you "accidently" run 18 miles? LMAO


      I've heard stories about GPS directions leading to trucks getting wedged under low bridges, narrow lanes and suchlike. Maybe something similar happened here?

      Or they got an endorphin rush and forgot to stop.


      Either way, rest properly. Cool baths/showering help, as does going swimming in a couple of days. And putting your feet up and massaging towards the heart.


      But most of all, give yourself time to repair before running again.
    • Posts: 229
      Keep moving, stand up and walk around at least once an hour!

      Make sure to take some Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours (I would even set the alarm to take a dose in the night so you can move in the morning).

      Ice for 20 minutes, then break for 45 min to an hour, then ice for 20 more. Do this the rest of the day.

      Hot shower first thing tomorrow morning to loosen things up, then massage your legs gently after the hot shower, then gentle walking (no hills) for at least 20 minutes, followed by more massaging and mellow stretching.

      Hope that helps, it has helped me. If you need to cry about it tomorrow, feel free to message me. I promise not to ask how you accidently over do it by that much. :wink:
    • Posts: 626 Member
      Keep moving, stand up and walk around at least once an hour!

      Make sure to take some Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours (I would even set the alarm to take a dose in the night so you can move in the morning).

      Ice for 20 minutes, then break for 45 min to an hour, then ice for 20 more. Do this the rest of the day.

      Hot shower first thing tomorrow morning to loosen things up, then massage your legs gently after the hot shower, then gentle walking (no hills) for at least 20 minutes, followed by more massaging and mellow stretching.

      Hope that helps, it has helped me. If you need to cry about it tomorrow, feel free to message me. I promise not to ask how you accidently over do it by that much. :wink:

      Wow. Thanks for the detailed instructions. I'm going to try this.
    • Posts: 109
      This is an interesting accident. Usually, for me at least, it's I accidentally tripped while running and now my knee is bleeding.
      Maybe take an ice bath? I am worried about your knees since this is so much longer than your normal run.
      I definitely agree with the other advice given (ibuprofin, stretch, etc)
    • Posts: 636
      how do you accidently run 18 miles?

      That's like me saying I just accidently squat 300k. How the fook do you triple your normal run accidently!!?
    • Posts: 626 Member
      This is an interesting accident. Usually, for me at least, it's I accidentally tripped while running and now my knee is bleeding.
      Maybe take an ice bath? I am worried about your knees since this is so much longer than your normal run.
      I definitely agree with the other advice given (ibuprofin, stretch, etc)

      I was on sand, so that probably saved my knees and hips. Gorgeous beach day in San Diego, may have also contributed to accident.
    • Posts: 315
      I'm calling BS on this
    • Posts: 34,415 Member
      I was doing an out and back run, and I just guessed the distance between the two points. I was wrong... very wrong...

      Back is fine though... I've been out backpacking with a heavy pack a lot lately. Also the reason I thought my legs were strong enough for this.

      Wait, what???

      And you didn't realize it when your turnaround point was three times as far out as it usually is?

      This is one of the most bizarre things I've heard so far today...
    • Posts: 626 Member
      show previous quotes

      Wait, what???

      And you didn't realize it when your turnaround point was three times as far out as it usually is?

      This is one of the most bizarre things I've heard so far today...

      I had never been between these 2 beaches on foot, and it's hard to tell distance on the beach. It always seems further than it is. I thought my internal distance reader was just off when it seemed long. I'll just say it. I'm kinda ditzy sometimes, okay?
    • Posts: 236 Member
      Its not so much that you ran just three times the distance, but you ran three times the time too. You usually only run for 1 hour and you ended up running for 3 hours.. :laugh: I wish I had that kind of time lol.
    • Posts: 17,857 Member
      show previous quotes

      Wait, what???

      And you didn't realize it when your turnaround point was three times as far out as it usually is?

      This is one of the most bizarre things I've heard so far today...
      The fact that it's only one of the most bizarre things you've heard, only today, and only so far, says a lot about what happens on MFP forums on a regular basis.
    • Posts: 34,415 Member
      show previous quotes
      The fact that it's only one of the most bizarre things you've heard, only today, and only so far, says a lot about what happens on MFP forums on a regular basis.

      Further to your point, I suspect if I continue reading the MFP forums for an hour or two today, it will not even be top three.
    • Posts: 626 Member
      Just went to get ice and found Gatorade bottles frozen with ice in the freezer. Gunna roll my legs out with ice. Nicccceeee!
    • Posts: 219 Member
      don't just sit.. walk a bit every hour or so...ice, anti inflammatory, biofreeze...lots of water.. rest...I understand the "estimation" mistake LOL hang in there and give yourself a few days of REST to let them come back...hang in there!
    • Posts: 43 Member
      I accidentally ate to much once.
    • Posts: 356 Member
      How does one "accidentally" run 18 miles? Smoke crack before you head out the door? :)
    • Posts: 9,248 Member
      Ice bath(right now) , anti-inflammatories*, foam roller and treat yourself to a sports massage (not a spa massage) in the next day or two. In the mean time keep moving.

      * not just drugs, treat yourself to a nice serving of blueberries every day for the next few days.
    • Posts: 32
      In the future, if this happens again, ice bath immediately when you get home. Keep moving, go for a swim or do yoga tomorrow, foam roll, self-massage, compression socks if you have them.
    • Posts: 12,950 Member
      How does one "accidentally" run 18 miles? Smoke crack before you head out the door? :)

      Cocaine is a helluva drug.
    • Posts: 697 Member
      how do you accidently run 18 miles?
      I don't "accidently" run ever lol.
    • Posts: 2,065 Member
      this guy accidentally ran 18 miles but it wasn't his legs that hurt.
      bloody-nipples_zps74e1155e.jpeg
    • Posts: 236 Member
      this guy accidentally ran 18 miles but it wasn't his legs that hurt.
      bloody-nipples_zps74e1155e.jpeg
      Aww. He has a pikachu on his shirt! :smile:
    • Posts: 9,248 Member
      this guy accidentally ran 18 miles but it wasn't his legs that hurt.
      bloody-nipples_zps74e1155e.jpeg

      LOL.....been there, done that!
    This discussion has been closed.

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