Overtraining... or just a wimp?

[Bluetree]

I train six days a week. Typically, I run 2-3 times (one or two short runs + one longer run), swim 3 times (just drills/form right now, only 30 min or so) and ride my bike 2-3 times. My coach says I'm doing more than necessary for a sprint tri but I feel comfortable at this pace, about 10-12 hours a week. Any less, and I feel like jumping out of my skin!

Most of my cycling buddies like to do weekend rides, like centuries or climbing to Mt Baldy and stuff like that. I'd like to join them sometime. But on a bike, I seem to hit a wall at about the 2- to 2-1/2 mark, and I'm crawling home in my granny gear at 3 hours.

I'd like to ride a century, or at least a good 60-miler with some hills on the weekend, but can't seem to do it. Am I just a wimp, or is there something else going on here?

[mimitabby]

Is this a food issue?
can you take a break and walk around for 30 minutes and get back on the bike?
We ALL know you're not a wimp!

[KSH]

No, you are not a whimp.

It just sounds like you need to find a comfortable cruising speed on your bike. One where you aren't working too hard, and with the proper rest stops and food intake... you could go for hours.

When you hit the wall... what does it feel like? What is happening? Is your breathing labored? Do you lose all energy? What have eaten up until that point? What did you eat before the ride? Have you had any rest stops? Is your average higher or lower than when you go, say, 20 miles on your bike?

There is no reason why you can't go any further on your bike. Answer a few of those questions and I bet we can figure out why you are hitting the wall when you do.

[Bluetree]

Let's see...

When you hit the wall... what does it feel like?
(See above)

What is happening?
Usually happens after two hours. I'm not tired... my quads have just said, "Enough!"

Is your breathing labored? Do you lose all energy?
No and not really. Just in my legs.

What have eaten up until that point? What did you eat before the ride?
A little more carbs than usual the night before (500-600 calories). Usually a carb-protein meal one hour prior to my ride (400-500 calories). One bottle of energy drink per hour.

Have you had any rest stops? Is your average higher or lower than when you go, say, 20 miles on your bike?
No rest stops. My average in my first hour is about 17-18mph, but varies because the ocean winds vary so much. My second hour drops 1-2mph. It's when I get into my third hour when I start losing it.

[KSH]

Let's see...

When you hit the wall... what does it feel like?
(See above)

What is happening?
Usually happens after two hours. I'm not tired... my quads have just said, "Enough!"

Is your breathing labored? Do you lose all energy?
No and not really. Just in my legs.

What have eaten up until that point? What did you eat before the ride?
A little more carbs than usual the night before (500-600 calories). Usually a carb-protein meal one hour prior to my ride (400-500 calories). One bottle of energy drink per hour.

Have you had any rest stops? Is your average higher or lower than when you go, say, 20 miles on your bike?
No rest stops. My average in my first hour is about 17-18mph, but varies because the ocean winds vary so much. My second hour drops 1-2mph. It's when I get into my third hour when I start losing it.

I understand what you mean, when your legs just feel *dead*... and every time you pedal, it's pain.

I had that the 2nd day of the MS150 last year. Oddly, I found that if I just kept pedaling... well, I could do it. Sure, it hurt... but I kept going. Of course, it's not something I would want to experience on every ride. Not really a pleasant experience.

With that said... I would wonder how you would do if you dropped your average early on. Maybe hold a 15-16 mph average? It might be your high average that's killing your legs and keeping you from going the extra miles. Maybe this is something you can ponder with your coach?

Something I have come to terms with... is that sometimes I have to ride my own ride.. and my ride is slower than others. You might be pushing yourself too hard for longer distances... as you are trying to keep up with faster people. ????

Well... just slowing down your average early on is about all I can come up with. Might be worth trying... once? Or ask your coach about it. I'm certainly NOT an expert by any means.

Good luck in unlocking the secret to getting further down the road.

[Wahine]

What KSH said plus 1.

Try lowering your pace early on. If you're on a long ride, ride the first half easy, like you could go all day, then if you wnat to push you can kick it up a bit in the second half. This is called a negative split and it's a great way to increase aerobic endurance.

I would also try to eat something on your ride, beyond the energy drink. I like gels myself. My stomach can't handle anything to heavy while I ride. My favorites are Gu and Accelerade (sp). You take them every 45 min to 1 hour during activity. Then on the really long rides I'll stop at a store at the mid point and buy a coke and/or a chocolate bar. It really helps to maintain the glycogen in my quads on the 4 plus hour rides.

[Bluetree]

We ALL know you're not a wimp!

((((Mimi))))

Actually, the feeling is more like I have nothing left in my quads. There's a little pain, but mostly it's just non-responsiveness and deadness. I have tried the rest-stop thing, but I feel my legs tightening up when I continue. I'l try to eat more, but I suspect it has to do with my increased running.. and I can't stop doing that - I'VE ALREADY PAID MY TRI ENTRY FEES!!!

Watching the others ride away...