Is this a sign of overtraining? Please HELP!!!

[Martingale]

Hi all,

We went out today for 5h30min club ride, strong group, but my legs were simply not there. I struggled right in the first climb; my legs were feeling very very heavy but my lungs were fine.

I never get dropped on climbs the way I was today, so my first guess would be that I over-trained this week (high wattage intervals), as my legs were already feeling heavy on the end of the week and during my solo Saturday 2-hour ride.

I absolutely hate being dropped so I can’t wait to get out there again and kick some butt. Do you know what might have happened? And how I could address that?

Please HELP!!!!!

Many thanks - Martingale

[jamesstout]

have a couple of days off and get some carbs into you sounds like overreaching rather than overtraining

[grebletie]

Hi all,

We went out today for 5h30min club ride, strong group, but my legs were simply not there. I struggled right in the first climb; my legs were feeling very very heavy but my lungs were fine.

I never get dropped on climbs the way I was today, so my first guess would be that I over-trained this week (high wattage intervals), as my legs were already feeling heavy on the end of the week and during my solo Saturday 2-hour ride.

I absolutely hate being dropped so I can’t wait to get out there again and kick some butt. Do you know what might have happened? And how I could address that?

Please HELP!!!!!

Many thanks - Martingale
Long ride. Tough group.

I think maybe take a couple days off. That feeling in your legs on Saturday is your body trying to tell you something, and it's not to go harder.

You get stronger through recovery. After a week of intervals, don't expect to be able to hammer it on weekends.

[ericgu]

If your legs are feeling heavy during your two-hour saturday ride and they're bad at the beginning of a long group ride, you need to abort the group ride. You need a recovery ride (or several)

[late]

Most riders hammer too often. Get on a periodised training program.

[Machka]

What did you eat during your 5.5 hour ride?

How much did you drink?

[Richard Cranium]

I absolutely hate being dropped so I can’t wait to get out there again and kick some butt. Yeah, well I guess maybe you should consider resting.Do you know what might have happened? And how I could address that?I don't know, do you think maybe you're tired?

[Martingale]

I had some pasta in the night before, and porridge for breakfast. On the bike I had one bottle of water and another with energy drink; one gel and two protein bars.
I was probably tired, specially my legs which were very sore, as I had trouble right in the first climb.
I am taking the next two days off from intervals, and will do some light recovery rides instead.

[recneps]

I had some pasta in the night before, and porridge for breakfast. On the bike I had one bottle of water and another with energy drink; one gel and two protein bars.
I was probably tired, specially my legs which were very sore, as I had trouble right in the first climb.
I am taking the next two days off from intervals, and will do some light recovery rides instead.

Eating more is going to help you last on a long ride like that, porridge is not enough for breakfest.

[kuan]

You had two bottles of water for 5.5 hours? That's 1.5 liters right? Cripes I drink that much when I'm louhging!

[branman1986]

sounds like you just need some rest/light spinning for a day or three

[Martingale]

I actually refilled the bottles just over half-way, but that does not explain my heavy legs right at first hill at the begining. All intervals I did during the week plus not eating enough pre-ride I guess are the main reasons.

[CrossChain]

Porridge and gruel are the culprits. Try oatmeal. And realize you are organic and not a car motor. Many more variables affect your performance. Bodies need to be finessed into greater fitness, not just stomped on like mashing a gas (petrol) pedal.

[Martingale]

humm!! porridge, oatmeal - what exactly is the difference?
the porridge I had was simply Quaker oats with milk.

[branman1986]

Why is everybody so concerned with the porridge? If he's hurting bad on the very first hill, he's obviously overdone it earlier in the week. Listen to your body, and be disciplined about a recovery ride if that's what you need.

[recneps]

humm!! porridge, oatmeal - what exactly is the difference?
the porridge I had was simply Quaker oats with milk.

ohh, I thought porridge was a light soup. Something about those damn 3 bears. Then I guess it wasnt that bad of a meal.

[cyclezen]

Why is everybody so concerned with the porridge? If he's hurting bad on the very first hill, he's obviously overdone it earlier in the week. Listen to your body, and be disciplined about a recovery ride if that's what you need.

oatmeal, good stuff, regardless of its consistency.
but back to topic, overtraining comes from an extended period of hard effort without the requisite allowance for 'recovery' and usually extends well beyond a day, few days or even a week.
Depending on what you;ve done prior to this period it could be early signs of extended over-exertion.
Or it could simply be the result of a few days of overextending without recovery. Only you would know that.
overtraining is often accompanied by rapidly rising heart rates. Also harder than normal efforts to ride at the same pace as when you;re feelin well, is another indicator. Signs of continued dehydration. Difficulty in controlling the apparent body temp - you feel that by getting chilled easier than normal for you, same on the reverse for overheating.
But if its just feeling punky on that day, then its likely that the old bod didn't have it on that day. If planing some recovery time before expected harder rides is difficult, then try massage. A good massage helps clear the muscles of waste products by promoting increased circulation. If you can't 'get' a massage, learn some self-massage techniques. A very useful sub for when 'getting' a massage ain't gonna happen.