Quads or Hams - where's your emphasis when suffering?

Triathlon Forum
1

Where do you put focus/emphasis when you’re suffering on the last hour of a mega-long ride - quads or hams?

I almost always put my attention on the hams - but I don’t really have good reason for it, except I feel I’m more likely to default to the hams - so I try to think about the quads. What do others do?

I’m talking about times at the end of a big ride when technique is dropping you’re just trying to hold it together.

2

honestly, unless I am pulling hard up a hill because it is short but steep, I never feel anything in my hammy’s. I always feel the burn in my quads.

3

Quads deffo.

4

Bump for all you guys who are enjoying a Monday Rest day and bouncing between here and your Yahoo stock portfolio.

5

Quads, definitely when riding. Hammy’s for running. You sure you know what part of the upper legs you are reffering to?

6

"You sure you know what part of the upper legs you are reffering to? "

LOL

7

2x LOL (“Turn left!..No, the OTHER left!”)

I guess I poorly worded the OP…

As I fatigue on longer rides (+3hrs), I perceive my Quads “last longer” than the hams. As result, I perceive that I default toward putting more emphasis on them. (Rested, this is a non-issue; I perceive the output distribution is balanced - again, perception; no powermeter.)

So in direct retaliation/defiance(?) to my own adaptive response, I’ve been trying mentally focus on the hams.

Why? My rationale is that this is a great moment in time to work on strengthening the hams. Also, they probably need the work more than the quads.

In this example, I’m not concerned about a finishing time or speed. Just maintaining a steady cadence and utilizing the the last hour on the bike in the best possible way when the legs are already squeezed & juiced.

8

Can’t believe Frank hasn’t chimed in with his Powercranks recommendation yet …

The main problems in utilizing your hammies over your quads (to put it in your words) is that they are a FAR weaker muscle group, at a mechanical disadvantage and you also kinda’ need to recruit your very weak hip flexors as well with this. Not really a good combination.

9

HAHA GREAT!
Quads