Training & Nutrition - REALLY tired lately

Hey guys.

In a couple of months I will be a qualified mountain biking instructor, therefore for the last 2 or 3 weeks i have been riding or running every night pretty much and riding to work and back.

Im eating 3 meals a days (cereal and fruit for breakfast, normally pitta breads and tuna for dinner and other random stuff that is cooked for me for tea)

Im not eating anything much in between these meals except fruit and about 5 or 6 pints of water a day.

For the last 4-5 days ive been feeling really tired really quickly, is this just because I need a days rest, or maybe im now missing something crucial in my diet from the cut out of snacks from my diet.

If anyone has any advice on what this could be and how to combat it, maybe by supplements of food that wont affect my weight loss etc i'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Lee

Hi Lee,

You know the answer to this one I know you do, but perhaps you need to hear it from another for it to sink in (I know that I often do!): EAT MORE.

If you are extremely tired it is your body telling you to take it a bit easier in your training and/or fuel up more. You eat foods I eat and if I track it in www.fitday.com it will figure out exactly how many calories I am taking in and how many I am expending. It gets tricky when weight loss is a goal during an intense training time. What I have found for myself is this: During the "on" season when I'm putting in 200+ miles/week there is no way in hell I'm going to be able to cut significant calories to drop the 5-10 extra I'd like to drop. "Off" season (winter time when you're riding a bit less) that is the time to focus on weight loss. Otherwise, your performance and energy and immune system will all suffer.

I know it sucks, but when you feel tired you must rest and recover. You can't be hammering everyday you must do long, slow/moderately paced recovery rides.

You body knows what it needs and will tell (IS telling) you. You gotta listen or you will suffer.

Hi Lee,

You know the answer to this one I know you do, but perhaps you need to hear it from another for it to sink in (I know that I often do!): EAT MORE.

That was exactly my thought when I read the post. With the amount of exercise you are getting, if you focus on quality food sources you don't have to worry a lot about gaining weight.

Hmm, I was thinking, you need to take a rest day. One day completely off a week, and one day that is a 'recovery' ride - so slow you feel stupid.