The Disconnect

[nscrbug]

I've been going through that "disconnected" feeling too, lately. I think about riding and get excited, but when I get on the bike and start rolling...my body just doesn't wanna do it. It's not a hunger thing, because I always eat before riding...so it's definitely not that. For me, I do think it's a lack of good sleep. I don't ever get a restful sleep at night, so I always wake up feeling tired, groggy, and cranky. Usually, once we're into the ride for a few miles, I start to wake up and feel better. But occasionally, that tired feeling never goes away...those are the rides that I end up wishing were over sooner. I also don't seem to recover well after long rides. This weekend was a fine example of that. We rode 85 miles on Saturday, 102 on Sunday, and 77 today. Now I have to go to work and I feel totally exhausted...like I could literally fall asleep right now and not wake up til morning. Tomorrow's ride will be short and a very casual pace...that's for sure.

[grey]

We rode 85 miles on Saturday, 102 on Sunday, and 77 today. Now I have to go to work and I feel totally exhausted...like I could literally fall asleep right now and not wake up til morning. Tomorrow's ride will be short and a very casual pace...that's for sure.

Holy COW!!!!
I'd be EXHAUSTED.
Completely. I don't know how I'd go to work. I don't know how I would ride 85 miles one day, then turn around the next day and ride over 100, and then almost 80 the day after. I don't think I could function. I don't think I'd want to get back on the bike the next day, certainly not for that distance. Maybe 20 miles, then the next day a long one again... I've only been riding a few years but... are you sure you are not overtraining?

[nscrbug]

Holy COW!!!!
I'd be EXHAUSTED.
Completely. I don't know how I'd go to work. I don't know how I would ride 85 miles one day, then turn around the next day and ride over 100, and then almost 80 the day after. I don't think I could function. I don't think I'd want to get back on the bike the next day, certainly not for that distance. Maybe 20 miles, then the next day a long one again... I've only been riding a few years but... are you sure you are not overtraining?

This is only my 3rd year of riding, so I'm no expert by any means. Overtraining? Possibly. But for the most part, these rides are not what I would consider "training rides". I'm not going "all out" for 80+ miles...I would be dead, for sure. My average speed on most of my rides usually falls between 14-15mph, so a fairly casual pace, IMO. Sure there may be instances where we will push the pace up a bit for a short stretch, but then we back down to our normal pace. Today, my DH and I rode a nice and casual 40 miles and I felt fine...and that was AFTER I had gone to the gym for cardio & weights early this morning. So, somedays I have lots of energy (today), and then other days when I just ride longer distances my body seems to give up earlier than my brain wants to.

[indysteel]

This is only my 3rd year of riding, so I'm no expert by any means. Overtraining? Possibly. But for the most part, these rides are not what I would consider "training rides". I'm not going "all out" for 80+ miles...I would be dead, for sure. My average speed on most of my rides usually falls between 14-15mph, so a fairly casual pace, IMO. Sure there may be instances where we will push the pace up a bit for a short stretch, but then we back down to our normal pace. Today, my DH and I rode a nice and casual 40 miles and I felt fine...and that was AFTER I had gone to the gym for cardio & weights early this morning. So, somedays I have lots of energy (today), and then other days when I just ride longer distances my body seems to give up earlier than my brain wants to.

Honestly, Linda, I think you're wholly undestimating the toll the miles you typically do can take. You don't need to go all out to wear yourself out. The mileage itself (and if I remember correctly, you had almost 7k miles last year which, for Chicagoland, is amazing) is certainly enough to lead to overtraining. Add in all the other gym workouts you do and the fact that you have some bike fit issues and, frankly, I'm sort of surprised you don't feel "disconnected" more often than you do. Add, further, the stress of your sister's illness and I'd be inclined to tell you take it easy more often than you do.

In fact, I am going to go out on a limb and encourage you to take it easy. Bodies and brains need rest and recovery to be at their best.

[nscrbug]

Honestly, Linda, I think you're wholly undestimating the toll the miles you typically do can take. You don't need to go all out to wear yourself out. The mileage itself (and if I remember correctly, you had almost 7k miles last year which, for Chicagoland, is amazing) is certainly enough to lead to overtraining. Add in all the other gym workouts you do and the fact that you have some bike fit issues and, frankly, I'm sort of surprised you don't feel "disconnected" more often than you do. Add, further, the stress of your sister's illness and I'd be inclined to tell you take it easy more often than you do.

In fact, I am going to go out on a limb and encourage you to take it easy. Bodies and brains need rest and recovery to be at their best.

Thanks Indy...yeah, I guess when you put it that way...it does makes sense. Sometimes I think hearing/reading it from others, puts it all into perspective. And you are right on all counts...I did ride very close to 7k miles last year, I do continue to have some bike fit issues, and my sister's illness has been a source of stress. I'm actually glad that you pointed all of those things out to me, because now I won't feel guilty if I allow myself to take it easy now and then. Thanks for saying exactly what I needed to hear.

Linda

[Becky]

I was re-reading a section of Andy Pruitt's book, The Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, last night. In it, he talks about how cyclists underestimate the effects of the other facets of their lives on their riding. Going to work, keeping the house up, taking care of family matters....all of these things have an effect on how we feel and train and recover, and we shouldn't expect to ride as if we don't have these responsibilities. But it's easy to fall into the trap of saying, "well, it's only X miles....Chris Horner rides 10X per week!". Year, because it's his job....it's his primary responsibility!

I'll look for that passage tonight....Andy said it more eloquently than I can.

In short, be kind to yourself, body and mind.

[indysteel]

Thanks Indy...yeah, I guess when you put it that way...it does makes sense. Sometimes I think hearing/reading it from others, puts it all into perspective. And you are right on all counts...I did ride very close to 7k miles last year, I do continue to have some bike fit issues, and my sister's illness has been a source of stress. I'm actually glad that you pointed all of those things out to me, because now I won't feel guilty if I allow myself to take it easy now and then. Thanks for saying exactly what I needed to hear.

Linda

I'm glad you took that well! I admire the heck out of you; I really do. You are one strong woman. You shouldn't feel guilty for even a nano-second about taking a rest.

[Catrin]

I wish that I had listened better last year when my injuries started to exhibit themselves, kudos for you for listening to your body! It sounds like you are doing exactly what you need to do, and before you know it both your body and your mind will be yearning for that bike