Any Ideas - Going to be in agony from riding next week!

Tobiano

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Hi all

YES, I am a lazy numpty and should have done something about this 6 months ago involving kettle bells and bootcamp. Given that I didnt, any clever ideas please?

I have the lovely problem that I am going on a riding holiday in Botswana next week (my 3rd time with this outfit) and we will be riding 6 hours a day with lots of cantering. Last time I was in agony for the first 3 days. I know I've left it too late to get fit for it apart from having done a few half hearted spinning sessions, totally my own fault, but any thoughts please on ways to keep the body going once I am there? Not sure ice baths are an option in the bush, but any other suggestions welcome.

Thank you :)
 
Oops you did leave it late. While its too late to get fit. It isn't too late to do some stretching, which could really help your flexibility, which will help reduce sore muscles by quite a bit
If you can take them I would also take some ibuprofen with you

Have a great time!
 
Take a tube of deep freeze with you. Works just like deep heat, but in a cold way, which I find much more comfortable.
 
Get the long lasting ibuprofen from Boots ( or similar) - I relied on it when I did a riding holiday in Mexico a few years ago after not riding for quite a while, it was a life saver!
 
buy a heather moffett seat saver to take with u to add to ur sdadle and drink lots of milk/protein shakes to assist with the DOMS....
 
I'm a Level 3 Fitness Professional and this is what you can do:

You CAN do something in the meantime, a bit late maybe but if you've got a bike then get cycling esp up hills coz you'll be using a lot of the same muscles and it will start to build up your stamina and endurance.

Also, you could do the "Right Angled Stretch" . Get yourself against a wall, back to it, and slide yourself down so that - keeping your back against the wall - your legs are bent and you're as low as you can get. You need to aim for legs out at right angles. You won't achieve this, but aim to get there! Its jolly hard work. Time yourself. Aim for say 10 seconds to start with (like I said, a nasty little exercise:)), then work up.

Also you could get a gym ball PDQ and do some exercises on that coz that will build up your muscle tone and core stability.

Also sit ups and press ups are good.......... but whatever you do please do bear in mind your own medical background/injuries etc and ensure you are properly warmed up BEFORE you start any stretching exercises. This is important.
 
Hot weather and long hours in unfamiliar saddles may cause a bit of chaffing as well as sore muscles. Get some Lanacane Anti-Chafing gel and use it where ever you need it!!!! Enjoy .....!
 
Thank you all so much for your good suggestions :) I do have the HM seat saver but am afraid I have jilted it for the new love of my life, the acavallo gel out pad so planning to take that instead! Mijods - thanks so much for the constructive fitness advice - I have been doing a bit of cycling so that's cheered me up, and I'll try that wall thing. Promise I will warm up first though! And Greylegs - yes, thank you, I found the lanacane last time.... wonderful stuff. I have 2 tubes to take with me!!
 
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