newbie, exhausted AFTER ride?

[Jiffer]

I often feel very sleepy after a hard workout as well. When this happens, I always recall my sister telling me how when she and her husband started running and doing 5k's, they would come home and crash. They now do Marathons, and I'm sure they crash after doing those, but not after doing the 5k's anymore. The stronger your body gets, the more it takes to exhaust you like that.

I also recall many a time coming downstairs in the morning to find my husband crashed on the couch after having gone running or cycling. That doesn't happen very much anymore and he's going stronger than ever.

Always remember to give your body protein after a hard workout. Protein is great for quicker healing of those sore muscles. I'm not a nutrition expert, but you should look into this. I just know my husband hands me a drink of some sort he mixed up after a long ride and says, "Drink this within the next 20 minutes." And I obey! It's a recovery drink of some sort. There are lots out there.

[RoadRaven]

I meant to respond to this thread a few days ago (in fact, I thought I had... hmmm... where'd my post go???)

Anyways...
Just wanted to add that remember to have a nap or rest after a good workout is a natural part of your body's recovery from the the demands you have placed on it.

After a solid or long ride, you should typically want to eat something, and then want to shut your eyes or just blob for half an hour or so.
Very natural and very important in the development of your fitness.

Effective recovery is as important as the workouts themselves.

[alpinerabbit]

When I started running in my lunch hour I would also nearly fall asleep at my desk. 20 miles is not a joke. You may want to make 20 miles feel easy before taking this on as a commute. It will come quickly.

[JesTutripup]

happy to hear your riding.

on your days off the bike instead of utter resting add 20-30 mins of weight training to continue building your muscles and go for a walk around the block for fresh air.

When I first started two years ago even until today if i stay out of the saddle for a few days and have no physical exercise of any nature i'm wasted on the next return ride. in addition, prepare a recovery drink, gel, bar for the return ride home, and prepare raw veggies and protein meal for arrival home.

Accelerade, Endurox and almost any CLIF product are fabulous for me.

Stay hydrated out there everyone.

Final Note: come to bikejournal.com and join the TeamEstrogen Club.

[bcipam]

I have done century rides where after I'm ready for more and can stay up all night and I have done 20 milers where afterwards I'm exhausted. So many factors to consider and after you gain some experience you know how certain things affect your ride:

Nutrition before during and after a ride: What you eat even days before a ride can affect your performance. What you use during the ride to keep your electrolytes and stamina up and keep you from getting dehydrated is very important. After a ride you should replenish your body with protein and good carbs. Something like V8 juice is good.

Hydration: Nothing make me more exhausted than poor hydration. If its hot out I tend to not do as well. Cool weather I can ride forever. I can climb like a billy goat. Hot out, I am a slug. Some people are just the opposite.

Too little or too much training: Of course too little training will affect performance but too much will as well. You might feel great the first coulpe of rides but then it all catches up with you. I always feel best the first ride after a slight layoff.

Other things like road conditions can be a factor. Was it breezy one day and nto the next? Are the roads slick, were there alot of hills or was the ride flat.

No one expect every ride to be the same. I never know what to expect. That's the thrill of getting out and giving it go. I have learned,however, after my ride to not come right home and veg. I get home, shower, and then start doing all my chores. I find if I engage myself I start to feel better. If I immediaitely hit the couch then I'm a slug the entire day.