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So ever since this weekend I have just not felt like riding. The century was on Saturday, and since then I've done a 25 mile "recovery" ride on Tuesday, and a few miles around town running errands yesterday. I was planning to do a 30-35 miler today, but I just can't seem to muster any enthusiasm for it. Is that normal? I really don't want to lose my momentum, and I want the exercise, but perhaps I need more rest. What have other people's experience been with the post-milestone week?
I think our bodies tell us when we need rest. Whether we listen to them or not is another story. That can come in the form of fatigue or lack of motivation or injury. Listen to your body. Rest for another day or two. You won't lose much. Cycling isn't like running- taking it easy for a week, or even taking a week off doesn't mean you have to start over. :)
I find the above to be true for me, anyway.
I think there's always the post-century blues too. You do so much training and prepping for one ride and there's some letdown when it's all over. I think it's okay to listen to your body and take it easy. Catch up on some things that got neglected during training and your head will slowly get back into it.
I agree. Take the rest that your body is telling you that you need. You won't lose as much fitness as you think and it will come back quickly.
I get a little depressed after a century. It might be fatigue. I usually try to do some form of exercise I don't do a lot, somewhere else. Like for instance I will drive over to some hilly trails and walk the dog there instead of near home. The exercise comes from having to move fast enough to keep the deerflies off me!
Depressed isn't the word I'd use, but maybe more "blah." So yeah, maybe a walk in Bird Hills today or something instead is in order.
I always feel a bit unmotivated and "blah" after a 100-miler (I usually do about 1 per month from May-Oct)...it's a normal feeling for me. A 100-miler is a big deal (at least for me it is) and even after 3 solid years of riding and doing many centuries, I still find them to be extremely challenging. It is perfectly normal for me to NOT want to get on my bike (except for maybe a casual recovery ride) for several days after completing my "monthly" century ride.
I call it burn out. It's not just the century, but all the training that led up to it. Give it a couple days, then plan a fun ride--for ice cream or with a friend. Maybe hit the gym for a change of pace. It will pass.