Anyone Else Go Through This

[Rosemarie]

Well, I'm training for another bike ride, this will be my sixth event. 3 days 275 miles. As I'm getting older it's feeling harder and harder to stay on the bike. I'm only 47 but am going through perimenapause anyone else feel this way???
Help!

[CorsairMac]

could it just be overtraining? maybe you just need to take a few days or (gasp ) even a week off the bike and recharge your inner batteries.
I believe you'll find Several of us here going through one stage or another of the change, I would like to think my bike riding has kept me from killing anyone - yet! I'm also a runner and have been for over 20 yrs and have just learned to listen to my body: if it tells me I don't wanna do that, I don't. The bike won't go anywhere until you're ready to hop on again!

[pkq]

CorsairMac has a good point about overtraining. I'm premenopausal..don't know how that relates to peri.....and I'm not unmotivated. Not training for a long ride either.

[Rosemarie]

Thanks,
Riding has allowed me to release some of my excess nervousness. I guess like all of us wish I was 20 years younger!

[DeniseGoldberg]

I suspect that it's not perimenopause but overtraining, as CorsairMac suggested. (And by the way, none of the phases of menopause effected me the way you describe.) It sounds like you're riding really hard to get ready for multiple long distance events. And while I do agree with you that you'll enjoy the events (and be able to finish them) if you're in great shape, I also believe that sometimes you have to be nice to yourself. And you need to listen to your body too.

Some time off the bike may be helpful. Maybe a few days of walking would help. Or maybe riding with a different purpose for a bit would help. Instead of riding and concentrating on training for your event, use your bike as a way to get somewhere - the beach, a park, a favorite ice cream place, anywhere. Ride at an easy pace, look around, enjoy your surroundeings. Take a camera with you, and stop to take pictures.... I don't know if these suggestions will help you, but I know that it helps me when I give myself permission to just enjoy wandering on my bike as opposed to training for a future ride. (Don't get me wrong, I do my share of that too, but easy rides are important too!)

--- Denise

[Rosemarie]

Thanks Denise!
I did just that this afternoon! I'm smiling again. I guess I'm getting nervous again as the ride gets closer. It's not the mileage, it's GREAT fun my fear is getting lost in the woods.