| Re: Leg muscle/heart rate question?
RonSonic wrote:
> On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 03:31:39 GMT, "chris c" <cchris@frontiernet.net>
wrote:
>
> >I am a newbie. Just got into cycling last summer (again) but did it
when I
> >was younger (10 yrs. ago). I am trying to do at least 10 miles per
day now.
> >I did more during the summer sometimes. Schedules are so hectic of
course. I
> >ususally use a stationary cause of the crappy weather. I am riding
a
> >comfort bike but would like to get a racer this spring. I used a
cannondale
> >racer in my younger days when 50 mile rides were nothing. I lost a
lot of
> >weight since summer which keeps me very interested and I feel great!
> >My first question is ... how long does it take to get some leg
muscle
> >definition? My legs are not muscular, but they are skinny now. I try
to use
> >a harder setting on the bike sometimes. Does this increase muscle
faster?
> >Second question..... Can you overdo a workout by getting your heart
rate up
> >too fast (ex: heart attack) ? Sometimes I push myself hard , I think
almost
> >to the limit. I never get faint , but I think I get borderline dizzy
> >sometimes.
>
> How long's a string and can it be too long?
>
> Just how old are ya and what kinda shape are you in?
>
> Not that I could give you any specifics anyway, but it's good to know
whether
> we're talking about a 40yo in crappy shape or a 55yo in pretty good
shape.
>
> At 49 and recovering from many years off the bike there are a few
things I can
> tell you. First your recovery will suck compared to years ago. I can
get great
> benefits from 2 intense rides a week, much more than that just makes
me sore
> without any resulting strength or speed payoff. Might as well just
whack my legs
> with a stick for all the good it does. At least not more than two
weeks in a
> row.
>
> And it is intensity that you need to increase muscularity and
strength. Making
> circles with your feet, fast or slow will not do it. There's cycling
training
> tips and advice all over the internet, some of it actually makes
sense and
> works. Google.
>
> When I first started back on the bike last year I had recently quit
smoking
> (again) and the game was having my cardio and legs take turns being
the weaker
> link. At one point I got into good enough shape that I needed more
leg to work
> the CP system hard enough to really feel it. I'm riding 4-5 times a
week and 2
> of those are usually some sort of high intensity work like sprints or
intervals.
> I'll only do one day of intensity if I do something otherwise
draining that week
> like an extremely long ride. Or three days of intense work if I know
I won't be
> pushing it the next week. I think that's probably the sort of thing
you're
> ready for, get in some strength and speed work.
>
> As for heart attack risks, hell if I know. My guess is that if you've
been
> pedaling hard enough to max out the heart rate and start losing
composure
> without dying by now you're probably okay. I do suggest that you keep
that sort
> of thing on the trainer until your bike handling skills are back to
expert.
> That's how people get hurt, out riding their brain's oxygen supply.
>
> You know the standard warning "Do not begin this or any other
exercise program
> without the advice of a physician." Well I figure I didn't ask a
doctor before
> taking up chain smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, I don't figure I
need his
> permission to get back in shape. If I'm going to keel over from a
heart attack
> rather it be after a ride I enjoyed than a cardio stress test that I
had to pay
> money for.
>
> Ron
Hey, a nuclear cardio stress test is a great thing. My brother was a
chain smoker all his life...he decided to go for the test and they
found two blocked arteries. He would have had a heart attack. They
roto rootered the blockages and now he is fine. I would never suggest
anyone do anything without getting a stress test first if they are over
40. I have another friend who never smoked, he is active, he lives a
decent lifestyle of exercise and diet and he had two blockages as well.
He is only 44 years old. He had the blockages cleared and now he is
back to exercising. They both prevented heart attacks by getting that
test. It's fairly easy to go in and roto rooter a blockage to prevent
a heart attack down the road. Its not that easy recovering from a
massive one. A little prevention is a good thing. Go getted Nuked in
that stress test. This is your Mommy speaking. Its a few hours out of
your life and could save your life. Now that you changed your life
around, you want to keep living, don't you?
Maggie.
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