Training & Nutrition - Overtraining

This is my problem, and with the type of personality that I have. I can preach to the choir about moderation is the key, just doing it ain't so easy. I was off for over a year with a running injury, that I probably caused by not recovering enough after a couple of marathons. I have no one to blame but myself.

I told myself during the year that I was off, that when I got back I would listen to my body. Well I did for about the 1st 4-5 months, and just recently have reintroduced cycling into my program.

I know that cycling will be good, less impact, and enjoyable. Once again though I am trying to get my speed back to where it was 8yrs ago. So I go up to Huntsville Al, and ride up a mountain, where in Mobile, we don't have big hills. Plus I did no prior training beforehand on any hills. So now I am having to take a few days off, and it is frustrating. I am asking myself, why do I do this to myself. It is so easy to get caught up in this, and it seems that the older I get, the less the symptoms of overtraining show up.

I kinda wonder if anyone else has had the same experience's?

well, while i agree that you need to monitor your training and use discipline not to overtrain...

what you described above sounds fine: i.e. doing a hard ride in the mountains and then taking a number of days off for recovery. that sounds fine as you are stressing the body and then providing the time for it to heal and recover.

although having some base fitness is necessary (and it sounds like you do from running) cycling is much less like running where it is so important to NOT increase intensity to quickly (what is it 10% per week i think) b/c cycling is not as hart on the joints and the body as running.

maybe you know this, but it wasn't clear from your post:: avoiding overtraining doesn't mean you can't ride hard or train hard, it just means that AFTERWARDS you need to give yourself rest and not try and ride hard every day.

and if you feel weak or muscle soreness, don't just blindly go out and train harder b/c you think you should be stronger or are pissed you are so weak -- THAT is the real danger.

cycling is a great sport in that the injury potential (other than crashes) is very low - especially compared to running where it is very difficult to remain top fit and injury free (i know from a series of knee and back problems and now i only run occaisionally and cycling is my main sport and no more knee or back problems even though i train A LOT!)

train hard. recover hard!

You aren't overtraining. You are simply working hard to get in shape for a new sport.

Well after 2 days of total lower body rest, I can tell the difference this morning. I felt great climbing the mountain, and even after 2 days (monday&tuesday) of intense exercise, checked my resting heart rate, and it was just right. I figure it just took a little more, and the long run this past Sunday, took its toll. I should have known when I took off Wednsday last week,and ran easy on Thursday, but Friday I tried to ride, and my legs were dead. That was my cue, that I needed to stop, and take another day or two off.
I was thinking about riding with a group last Saturday morning, but I knew my legs were tired, and of course I ran an easy 4 miles that morning and felt fine.

I have made a decision that since I do enjoy cycling, I am going to cut back running to 4 days a week, still take off one day from everything, and that will give me more time on the bike's.