60: Legs kind of giving out not during hiking but an hour or so later

[Anonymous]

I like to hike once a week or so. I don't like any other exercise and so don't do any. Maybe that's the problem. I'll hike 10 miles over 5 hours in the mountains and I'm a bit tired but OK. I'll get in the car and when I get back to DC I can barely walk from the car to the house, or even get out of the car to fill the gas tank along the way back. Then later in the evening I'm OK. I don't recall this problem when I was younger. I'm hoping some runners or other athletes can give me some tips.

[Anonymous]

Are you eating/refueling enough afterwards? 5 hrs is a long time to be moving (even if not very fast) and especially if you are only doing it once a week. Make sure you have a snack during the hike and getting plenty of protein and carbs after (ideally within 20 minutes or so of finishing).

[Anonymous]

You are blessed. Being able to walk 10 miles without any other sort of exercise is impressive. I have been walking 6-8 miles a day and I cant get to the 10 mile threshold.

Try to get out two more times a week- 3 miles each. Cut back to 8 milesoon the weekend and see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

There’s nothing unusual about your legs feeling stiff after a long hike, then sitting in the car.

But you could take some electrolytes - perhaps Gatorade or make your own without all that sugar (water, salt, potassium in the form of lite salt, then no sugar sweetener or flavored moo). You could also take magnesium.

[Anonymous]

I just came here to tell each of you that I just realized how lazy I am ... carry on!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just came here to tell each of you that I just realized how lazy I am ... carry on!

I'm lazy too. It's a fluke I like hiking. These are great tips and I will try them. Thank you for helping me.

-- OP

[Anonymous]

Try adding in 30 minute walks a couple times a week.