I just started riding steep about a month ago and have put in a lot of miles in this position. Since the change I have had tons of problems with my hips and glutes either being super tight or just toasted. I have not been able to get comfortable while running. I feel super tight and can not get into a decent rhythm. I have tried stretching, but it does not seem to be working. Could this problem be from the position change? I know riding steep is not for everyone, should I try something different or give it some more time?
If the position is comfortable and you feel you’re generating requisite power/speed over the right distance then I suggest you try Bikram Yoga. I had similar flexibility issues after making this fit change and a friend suggested I do the Bikram. Awesome workout done in a 98-99 degree heated room (hot yoga). In three weeks of going two-three times a week I’ve eliminated the hip/hamstring flex issues like yours and my core strength is getting its ass kicked versus what the swiss ball was doing for me.
Ps. Don’t laugh at this stuff like I did. It’s a tough workout!
Thanks Tman for the response. I am not aware of any classes like that at my college. I do have access to a heat chamber in our human performance lab…maybe I could give it a try in there.
As (perhaps?) the old man in this thread (51) I will offer my experience/advice- work on flexiblity and core strength to keep yourself flexible and powerful. My guess is that your new position has caused some less than flexible and previoulsy usused muscles and connective tissue to complain.
The wisdom of age tells me that had I spent a couple of hours a week over the past 30 yrs of running, cycling and swimming I would likely have been not just less frequently injured but faster.
There are a number of books on stretching, many many internet resources (here’s one - http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/). Keep those hamstrings, hip flexors, piriformis, iliopsoas, iliotibial band flexible and supple. Keep you glutes, quads, hamstrings etc strong and not just from cycling and running. Get a 65 cm ball and do stuff for your core. I feel much stronger when I do this stuff. I decided that I would count my core-flexibility-stretching time as “workout” so I feel better about doing it, and I get to put 2-3 hours a week in my logbook.