Dealing with nagging issues...

[ny biker]

Yes, I think a gradual return to fitness, for cycling or whatever you feel like doing, would be best to avoid more injuries and make things more enjoyable at the same time. Just a short bike ride, or even a walk around the block, and build from there.

But first -- how long will the crazy work schedule last? Is there an end in sight? Stress can really suck the energy out of you, mentally and physically.

FWIW I've had more problems with pollen this year than I have in the past. The weatherman wasn't kidding when he said the mild winter would mean more pollen than usual.

[jessmarimba]

Stress can really suck the energy out of you, mentally and physically.

Stress, especially if it causes unnoticed tension, can make you more prone to injury, too. Sometimes exercise is good at relieving stress but sometimes the stress has taken root too deep for you to just jump back into a tough exercise routine. Make sure you're doing something you enjoy rather than just forcing yourself to do something! And I'd highly suggest finding a yoga class or even just a gentle stretching class to ease back into things - it'll get you into a frame of mind where other fitness aspects won't seem quite so daunting.

[Catrin]

{{{Road Trip}}}Stress doesn't help, and it sounds like your job has you under enough and that is outside of your health issues.

Is a yoga class or stretching class an option right now with your schedule? I am sure that others here could suggest good DVDs if a class isn't an option. Easing into things and just short rides for the sake of being on the bike does sound like a good way to get started.

[Jiffer]

I agree with taking it slowly. You have to WANT to exercise in order to enjoy it. For a while, I "tried" being a runner. I hated it, but made myself get out and do it. I made goals to do certain events, 5ks, 10ks and eventually did two half marathons. Those goals drove me to get out and train, but I never really "loved" it.

Eventually I "retired" from running and haven't done it since.

And the along came cycling. Oh how I love to ride a bike!!! Match my love of riding the bike with the goals of preparing for an event and . . . WAH LA!

So for me, I like riding a bike to begin with. Do you like riding a bike? There are days, however, where I don't really "feel" like riding. But knowing that an event is coming up. Or knowing that not riding will cause my fitness to regress. Or knowing that my riding buddy is counting on me to get my butt out of bed inspires me to get out and do it.

I'm at a place right now, due to health, that I have to take it easy. I can't go and do group rides or events. I have to keep it short and at an easy to moderate pace. This is driving me crazy, but I know in time I'll be able to do more. You should think this way for now. Just go out and ride short and easy. Make it an enjoyable experience. Have music in one ear if that helps. Ride to a destination, like a smoothie place and get a smoothie and then ride home. Do rides where you don't feel pressure to perform beyond what you are comfortable with. And then grow from there.

If looking ahead toward a smallish event and making it a goal to train for it would help, then do that. Just don't over burden yourself and set yourself up for more misery. Keep it doable . . . with your work schedule and difficulties you've had in mind.

Finally, I have to say that for years I have felt that there was "something" not quite right about my health. I could ride the same speed as other riders, stop at a signal and be the only one breathing really hard. This is part of the reason I hated running. It just seemed SO hard for me cardiovascularly. Cycling gives opportunity to recover on downhills, at signals . . . or any time you want to stop pedaling and coast. This made it more doable for me. I got to where my fitness was pretty great, but I STILL always breathed harder than those around me.

I think I may have finally figured it out, and it has to do with why I can't ride much right now. I learned I have candida (a yeast overgrowth), subclinical hypothyroidism, low hormones and adrenal fatigue. The hypothyroidism and candida (and probably the other things as well) can both have an affect on cardio, giving you shortness of breath. For years I felt somewhat sluggish and just never full of as much energy as it seemed I should have. A little over a year ago the fatigue hit hard and I couldn't ride worth beans all of a sudden. I limped home from a group ride. (The same thing had happened about six months before, but I hadn't figured out what it was and somehow managed to get back to riding, though not at the level I had been.)

I found out I had adrenal fatigue and was treated for 10 months by a nutritionist. When I wasn't improving, I switched to a naturopathic doctor, who confirmed adrenal fatigue, but also diagnosed me with the other things I listed. The candida is likely an underlying cause of everything else. If I can get rid of the overgrowth of yeast in my body, everything else should balance out. At least that's the idea.

Candida is very common these days and many people are unaware they have it, while they are suffering the consequences of it. If you are under a lot of stress, this can be a trigger for adrenal fatigue as well as candida.

I'm not saying you have these things, but it's something to think about. Maybe research the symptoms of them and see if it makes sense. I can give you more info if you'd like. I'm a wealth of info on all these things now and have learned that it's very common for all four of them to go together. That is candida, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism and low hormones. (Apparently ALL my hormones are low. I'm 42 and periomenopausal.)

If you do think you may have one or more of these things, I would encourage you to see a naturopathic doctor or nutritionist (hopefully recommended by someone). Many conventional doctors don't acknowledge that adrenal fatigue exists and won't diagnose hypothyroidism if your TSH levels are below the "normal range". And that normal range keeps changing and my doctor said it's stupid how it was set to begin with.

Or it's possible you just need to slowly get back into riding and you'll be fine.

[Roadtrip]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I think there are two parts here. When I'm hurting and struggling it's no fun and yes, my enthusem is diminished, even tho I know I may struggle on the way toward a stronger me tomorrow. It's just hard to see the forest through the trees sometimes I guess. I decided to put the bike in the trainer tonight after work and get some work in.



Time: 20:03

Speed
Avg Speed: 14.7 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 14.8 mph
Max Speed: 23.1 mph

Cadence
Avg Bike Cadence: 51 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 88 rpm

It's a start!!

Shannon

[Kathi]

Is that your avg cadence on the road? Spinning faster will help. I spin between 90-100 rpms. My SO is a masher and I'm miserable when I ride behind him. I can handle a headwind easier riding by myself, maintaining my cadence, than trying to ride his low cadence.

Also, check out the Cincinnati Cycle club. They have some beginner rides that are flatter and shorted distances. The Tues pizza ride out of Neisbett Park and the Harrison's Tomb ride were my favorites. The Pizza ride has speed groups and are "no drop". The Harrison Tomb's ride is an out and back and reasonably flat. I loved that ride because it was near the area that I grew up.

Yes, the trainer is a start. You need a good base of flatter miles before you attempt hills. I spent a lot of time on the Loveland (sorry, Little Miami) bike trail in the beginning of the season.

[Roadtrip]

Is that your avg cadence on the road?

I just installed the cadence sensor so I have yet to use it on the road.

I felt I was maintaining a fairly constant cadence, so I'm not sure what to make of the graph. It almost seems like there was an issue and the sensor was only taking readings intermittently. I do think I tend to be a masher however. The peaks in speed was my "attempt" at a mini interval with a higher gear and pushing myself.

Also, check out the Cincinnati Cycle club.

Yup, I'm a member!!

Yes, the trainer is a start. You need a good base of flatter miles before you attempt hills.

Agreed.. I'm fairly close to the south end of the Little Miami and planning a Birthday ride this weekend out that way. With the crazy work hours lately I wanted to do something, when I do have a free moment here at home!!

Shannon