Don't use it you'll lose it!

[Jenn]

Last week I had to take it easy because I couldn't really ride, it really was hurting the road rash on my knee. I figured I was doing pretty good on Sunday when we wen't for our family ride, but you know that was a "cruise." So, this morning, my knee felt pretty good, so I thought I'd finally get back on my spin bike and do my 50 min class.....OMG....talk about SUCKING WIND! I couldn't do half the jumps or the climbs out of the saddle, because I couldn't catch my damn breath!
Gosh, 4 days off and I feel like I'm starting at square one again, not to mention that sweat gets into the road rash OUCH!!!
I guess it just goes to show how fast your body tries to get lazy again.

[KnottedYet]

Or how much energy your body is putting into healing, leaving less for spin class.

We often have patients get very frustrated over how weak they feel. So we spend a lot of time reminding them that healing takes a lot of energy, even though it doesn't feel like "work." (the real worrisome ones are the folks who start DIETING during acute injury/post surgery, thinking that since they aren't active their body doesn't need as much food! EEEEK!!)

[SadieKate]

I doubt that you've lost any fitness in only 4 days and under normal conditions this would just be a taper week. I think Knotted is more on track with the fact that your body is still healing. Do not expect it to perform at the same level quite yet.

[Eden]

I doubt that you've lost any fitness in only 4 days and under normal conditions this would just be a taper week. I think Knotted is more on track with the fact that your body is still healing. Do not expect it to perform at the same level quite yet.

+1 I'm on a "rest week" and I know my coach wouldn't give it to me if it was going to decondition me. I'd chalk the difficulties up the shock of the accident and the healing, not the inactivity - that may actually be a blessing in disguise for you and once you are all healed up you'll be stronger than before.

[maillotpois]

ditto. I routinely throw in rest weeks - call it severe periodization. it does not negatively affect performance. in fact, I go into events well rested. for the Davis double this weekend, I will have taken the 4 days before off. I would have liked to throw in a recovery pace spin there, but alas it was not to be. I am not worried.

[Running Mommy]

You sound JUST LIKE ME! Which in this case is not a good thing!
I have a real problem with sitting back and healing when ill or injured. But over the years I've learned that I must let my body heal. Basically don't jump back into any real training until at least TWO days AFTER you feel fully recovered. And yeah, 4 days is just a taper girl! You don't lose fitness that fast. Actually in my Ironman tapers I feel really crappy during the taper. Very weak and out of shape. But that is just my body repairing itself. When I hit the course my body is fresh and ready to go.
I think the science on this actually says two weeks before your fitness starts to decline.
Just do some easy around the hood spins to keep your mind at ease. It will also allow you to maintain your base. Just short stuff, no intensity. Think "easy breezy spinning"...
Heal up!
Denise