Hiking has made me feel geriatric, ugh, help!

kaleas
kaleas Posts: 200
in Fitness and Exercise
So in August I undertook a huge change and moved cross-country. I was biking about 60 miles a week to a job when I first arrived until I fell extremely ill. I had to quit my job and was on bed rest eating nothing but pastas and plain food until last Wednesday. The doctor gave me the go-ahead to add light exercise back in, but take it easy.

Who ever listens to doctors?

I woke up the next day after my surgery on Wednesday feeling like I was a brand new, superhuman person. I couldn't move around enough. So we decided on Sunday to hike Mount Townsend, an 8+ mile roundtrip hike with a 2,000 foot elevation change, which is a 9% grade, and a summit of 6200. It took us 3.5 hours, and let me tell you, I have never been more sore after an exercise in my entire life.

The pain set in about 600 feet to the summit. I had to stop every so often because my thighs were burning, my calves couldn't do the uphill anymore. The descent was even worse. Keeping yourself from falling forward was hard.

That night I couldn't walk. My hips were in such pain I had to lift my legs onto the couch. It's now Tuesday. I tried to go for a run but ended up limping home. There isn't a muscle on my body that doesn't hurt. My back, shins, calves, thighs, hips. Everything.

I'm 24, what the hell did I just do to myself? I didn't think I was this out of shape.

Replies

  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    Eat at maintenance and take it easy for a week or two.
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    What ^^^ she said, plus tons of water and a hot bath with epsom salts. Of course you are sore if you aren't used to it. Build up slowly!
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Well I would suggest a visit to your GP to make sure you didn't do any real damage given your recent experiences. Other than that, I'd recommend rest, ice baths, ibuprofen, massage and eating at maintenance. Move around a little as you are able... in a couple of days, go for a walk to ensure circulation and then try a light stretch session.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    I'm not sure why you would jump from nothing to an 8 mile hike a few days after surgery, but guess you didn't follow doctors orders. I hope you didn't do any damage!
  • BIRD0
    BIRD0 Posts: 74 Member
    Baby steps.

    When I first started hiking, I'd pretty much die 20 minutes in. But now I'm much better.

    Also, regarding geriatrics.. the first time I hiked with my grandfather, I was so embarrassed by how much he killed me. I was maybe 19 or 20 and at a healthy weight. He was in his 70's and could probably have lapped me, all the while telling me stories about the mountain/trail, the hikers, and the Sierra club. He lives on a mountain and hikes a few miles a day, even after a heart attack. He'll be 83 this year, and I can finally out-hike him.

    I haven't gone hiking in a while now since my hiking partner, my boyfriend, has moved across the country and I'm waiting with our pets until we find out if it's a permanent move. I'd go alone, but it's way too hot and monsoony for me. But as soon as it's under 100 you better believe I'm going back up the mountains.

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