Too much, too soon

[goldfinch]

In May I rode my bike about 107 miles. This was more riding in one month than I had previously done riding in all the past 25 years. I am very unfit, 56 and overweight. I was obese but a month or so ago dropped down to "merely" overweight. I am only 4'11" and have gone from 158 pounds to 130 since December, 2010.

A few days ago I did my longest ride ever, 16.2 miles. The next day it rained and I didn't ride. The day after I did 16.4 miles. The last mile was hell, I could not get comfortable on my seat and my right foot was going numb. Otherwise, my wind and my legs felt just fine. I never seem to feel any effects in my legs when riding as my CV system still is not strong enough for me to work my legs really hard. My pace is still very slow (8.5 to 9.5 mph) but my route is fairly hilly and about 1/3 hilly crushed gravel MUP, 1/3 nice paved roads, and 1/3 ratty city streets. I know my fitness has improved as I can now make it up hills that I used to walk. Maybe I am going up at 3.5mph and "spinning" in my granny gear at a cadence of 30, but I am making it up. Given my slow pace it means that I was in the saddle a long time to do 16 miles.

That evening I felt overtired and jagged and had a hard time getting to sleep. The next day, yesterday, I was exhausted. I managed only to go for a short walk. I wanted to nap but again too jagged. I am not used to exercise, I have a hard time judging too much versus too little.

This morning I am a bit better. I went for a four mile ride, nice and slow, but felt uncomfortable on the bike the whole time. Partly it is my rear end. Partly it is a loss of confidence. I was feeling good and strong and now I feel beat up.

I guess I am posting this to remind myself and other aging unfit people who are getting into riding that it takes time. Don't overdo it. I am backing off a bit on ride length and my monthly goals. I also have to see if my seat adjustment is goofed up.

A bit demoralizing. But I am not only overweight I am coming from no fitness at all and I am 56 years old. I have to be patient. I am not a patient person.

[Desert Tortoise]

Goldfinch, first of all congratulations on your weight loss and exercising. I know what you mean about not being fit and feeling the after effects of intense exercise. But look how far you've come! I'd love to be 28lbs lighter

Ok, so it got a little tough with recovery but you made it through. Maybe you over did it? Maybe you ought to pace yourself a little differently? Note, not less, just differently. For example, less hills but a little challenge on the flats. Or more hills and easy on the flats. Or back to basics, just ride comfortably and when you feel good and a little charge, push for a little challenge. This is your ride, enjoy it

On a side note, if your bottom is hurting you might want to let that recover well first. Everything else can feel great but if the bottom hurts, yikes nothing else matters

Keep up the good work!

dt

[jlnc]

Gold, the first time I rode 15 miles, I spent the next 2 days laying around, exhausted. It used to take forever for me to recover. Now, I do 15 miles as my normal rides, and am fine the next day. You will get to there! You sound very self aware in terms of your abilities and goals, so hang in there! Congrats on the weight loss!

[goldfinch]

Gold, the first time I rode 15 miles, I spent the next 2 days laying around, exhausted. It used to take forever for me to recover. Now, I do 15 miles as my normal rides, and am fine the next day. You will get to there! You sound very self aware in terms of your abilities and goals, so hang in there! Congrats on the weight loss!

It is nice to hear other people who have had similar experiences. Thanks!

The words 'couldn't get comfortable on my seat' and 'my right foot was going numb' jumped out at me here.

Have you had a professinal bike fitting?

Do you need a different saddle (bike seat)?

Both could make a huge difference to your perceived fitness and comfort.

Honestly, sounds like you're doing great with careful mileage. Just try and figure out what is causing the specific issues. Good work!

I think that I need to be fitted to my bike better. When I was riding between 5 and 10 miles it really wasn't much of an issue. Now it is a problem. I am in southern Iowa right now (I travel all the time). I'll see if I can hunt up a bike shop within a 100 miles.

What can I expect from a fitting?

[westtexas]

From a fitting you can expect the LBS person to measure the angle of your knee-bend as it goes around the full circle of pedaling, among many other things. The guys at my shop measure my shoulder width (I need smaller width bars, apparently!), the distance from my set to the head tube, the reach, my knee angle and many other aspects all to get that perfect feel. And then they say that after a while and your strength increases, you need to go back and be refit as you become more limber and strong. It's totally worth it!

Also, I second the statements of others that the first time you go real far, you hurt the next day. The first time I went 40 miles it took me two days to recover. Now 40 miles doesn't phase me. You'll get there. You just have to work at it and know that every day you are getting a little stronger.

[Owlie]

Anything over 20 left me feeling like I'd been run over last year. I did a 36-mile ride followed by 15 the following day, one day off, and then 20 the next. I could barely walk for the rest of the week. I don't push myself too much cardiovascularly on rides where I'm not quite comfortable with the length, but my leg muscles weren't quite up to the task.

[Bike Writer]

Don't feel demoralized, you have no reason to. When I read your post you have have a lot of accomplishments in it. A good sized weight loss, taking the first step to get healthier by starting a program that gets you exercise and get good fresh air and more importantly than taking the first step, you are continuing on even with some normal set back. Yes it can be discouraging when the body does not cooperate with our spirit which is eager to get back out and "do it again," but you will get to the place you want to be because it's easy to see you have abundant determination!

Be kind to your body and it will take you places with your bike you only dreamed of.

Keep up the good work.