Originally Posted by BearsPaw
The first time I rode a century, I thought I would sleep like a baby that evening. Instead, I spent about an hour freaking out because my heart rate wouldn't go down. (And I had finished the day's ride several hours earlier.) I eventually just fell asleep, and when I woke up the next day it felt fine. If mine can stay that high even after I'm off the bike, I think what you experienced is completely reasonable.
I have felt the exact same way after high-intensity workouts. I thought I was overtraining, but isn't the main symptom fatigue? Another thing I've experienced is these wierd shivers, where I all of a sudden get really hot. I don't know what's causing this, but it's kind of scary--if I wasn't 19, I would think I was having a heart attack!
I only drink coffee when I need to, but I usually have a cup of coffee before my workouts for energy. That could have something to do with it...