sore quads

[Mike Davis]

G'day

I completed the canberra marathon on Sunday and i still have extremely sore quads especially when negotiating steps and down slopes. What is the physiological reason for this. and is there anyhting i can do to prevent this occuring after future long road races.

[davemat]

it sounds like Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This is that soreness that rugby/football players get the day after the first contact sessian or game of the season, when you can hardly get out of bed the next day. it usually settles down in 2-4 days. i used get it a lot, and found it was usually gone by the second game.
one way that can help is to have a very good stretch and massage after the event, and continue to stretch for a few days after. it'll settle in any case.

[kjwilkin]

It can take a good 6 weeks to recover from a Marathon. I know this from a friend that is an elite marathon runner.

Just take it easy !!! :)