That's Fit

Occasionally feeling sore is a part of living an active life. You haven't played tennis in awhile and the next day you're grimacing every time you get out of a chair. New movements challenge muscles in new ways. Move your body differently and just about guaranteed you'll be mildly to moderately sore the next day. Officially it's called delayed onset muscle soreness.

But I'm sure most everyone can recall a time of feeling horribly sore after overextending yourself way too quickly. I call these my Stupid Sore Moments. As a novice backpacker I once hiked with a super-fit buddy in the Cascade Mountains. We gained 4,000 feet in a few hours -- the trail incline was incredibly steep and I was carrying 45 lbs. I gulped my pride and with legs a screamin' kept up with him. I should have slowed us down and not gone for the peak. My lower body was ridiculously sore not for a day or two -- more like four or five days. Ibuprofen barely touched the pain. Since that time I train gradually on steep inclines with a full pack to avoid Stupid Sore on backpacking trips.

According to fitness experts feeling sore the day after your workout does NOT mean you didn't push yourself hard enough. In this sense, sore is not good and shouldn't be the goal. If you're fit and accustomed to your sport you won't likely be sore the next day -- even after a difficult session. But your heart and muscles will get stronger and you'll get out of that chair with ease. Any Stupid Sore Moments you'd like to share?