As I mentioned in another post, I had problems with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) my whole life, until less than a year ago. I'm still getting used to the new way that my body works, and there are things about how it responds to exercise now that I don't understand. I feel a little stupid here, but with so many fitness experts out there these days, I'm hoping someone here might have the answers.
My first questions has to do with normal muscle soreness (DOMS pain is *much* different). A few hours or so after exercising now, my muscles get sore. Then the pain fades over the next day or so. The question I have is whether it's normal for the pain to also go away when I exercise again (with DOMS, this is never the case). For example, I sometimes notice my legs can be achy before I take my daily 30 minute walk, but then by the time I get back, the pain is 90% gone. If that is a normal response, can anyone explain what's happening biochemically? There's something going on that I clearly don't get.
Next, I walk 5 to 6 days a week. What I've noticed is that when I resume walking after skipping a day, that I'm noticeably stronger and faster than on the last exercise day. The feeling doesn't carry through to subsequent days, though. Again, is this normal, and if so, what's the biochemical explanation?
I'm also wondering whether a lactic acid suppressor like beta-alanine might help further reduce the pain I'm experiencing, and allow me to exercise longer and harder. Any idea?
Thanks for your help!