poor sleep with lots of workouts?

[Dogmama]

Overtraining can be caused by what you've described (a sudden increase in high end activity.) How long have you kept that schedule? A week or two shouldn't matter.

It could just be "one of those things" that passes. Hormones are always a nice bucket to put blame in!

BTW, Ambien keeps me awake. Go figure. I hate taking meds anyway.

[kfergos]

Reading this thread makes me wonder (worry) that I'm also overtraining, and I'd love some input from people who've actually done serious training. Here's my story:

Since March I've been training to do two long rides: The Cape Cod Getaway (75 Sat/75 Sun, June 28-29), followed two weeks later by the STP (100/100, July 12-13). I have been following the STP suggested mileage for my weekend rides and usually the mid-week rides. However, I have also continued doing my 13-mile each way commute by bike during the week, too*. I take Fridays off to rest before the long rides. My weekly mileage for the last few weeks has been in the 200+ range: Usually 100 or 120 miles during the week, plus Sat/Sun mileage, which can be a lot (last weekend: 143 miles).

This seemed to work OK when the training rides were 50 miles/day or less. However, on the 70/70 training rides, I find I'm really worn out during my normal commutes (gee, why could that be? ). I also have noticed I seem to sleep worse after the long rides. More troubling, I barely had a period last month (I'm usually light anyway, but this was next to nothing) and this month looks like it'll be the same way, if I have one at all. My gut feeling is that I'm overtraining, and that I need to back off on my mileage. I'm reluctant to sacrifice my commutes -- I think of myself as a commuter first and foremost, and I do recreational riding on the side , but also I don't know what kind of long-distance mileage to maintain to be ready for my two longer rides later this summer.

Yes, I know I should probably consult a medical professional, but right now I don't have one and can't easily get one. Just gonna do my best on my own, I guess...

*This is complicated: Monday, both ways; Tuesday, one way; Wednesday, both ways or one way + STP-suggested mid-week mileage; Thursday, both ways.

[RoadRaven]

Overtraining, evening exercise, and the full moon - definately all good possible answers to the "why". Exercise elevates your heart rate, and after a particularly demanding workout may stay slightly elevated the next day also.

Remember exercise does "fire up" your metabolism, however, I would not lessen the exercise quantity permanantly, perhaps have a lighter week every three week. If this amount of exercise is new to you, your body has to make changes and accomodate the new demands. However, it does adapt.

Example - in 2005 (my first full year of cycling), 200km on the road per month was a big month. This year I have averaged 544km per month (for the first 4 months) on the road (not including spin and mountain bike).
My partner began in 2004 with 200-300km weeks on the road. At the moment he is base-training and putting in 600-800km weeks.

My point? I could not have handled the riding I am doing now in 2005 - I would definately have been overtrained.

KFergos... if you are coping just fine and just tired, I would not worry too much. With those distances, you should feel tired. As for amhenorheah (how DO you spell that word???) - many female athletes sacrifice their period. There may be nutrients you need to ensure you are taking, so do consult with a doctor. But based on what I know (which, I admit, is limited) I wouldn't be too concerned - particularly if the doctor isnt.

[Dogmama]

You might be on your way to overtraining. The problem is that once overtrained, it takes awhile for your body to bounce back. You need to sleep. I hope your nutrition is good. And your life is stress free, right?

[bounceswoosh]

A co-worker just pointed me to this article:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/...les.asp?id=508

Nothing shocking, I guess, but it's good to know that one or two days of rest when you start to experience symptoms isn't enough ... that it's okay to take it easy on days when you're feeling less than 100% ... that they recommend at least (!) two days of rest a week. It makes me feel less like a slacker that in the last seven days, the only thing I've done is played 1.5 indoor soccer games ... I'm not slacking, I'm recovering from overtraining!

[Dogmama]

I always vote for active rest. So many of us go from 60 mph to zero & then back to 60 mph. Active rest does many things for us.

1. Clears the mind & lets us enjoy the moments of exercise. A walk in the park, listening to the birds can be therapeutic.

2. Keeps the blood moving. Research shows that delayed muscle soreness responds best to active rest rather than no exercise at all. The blood helps move the lactate out & healing properties in.

3. Alleviates any guilt about not working out.

4. Lets us explore other exercise modalities. Yoga, for example, is a wonderful addition to cycling, running and weight lifting.

That's my $.03 (inflation, you know.)