Training & Nutrition - Fighting Fatigue/Out of SHAPE

Most of the threads here seem geared towards veteren riders. But, I just got back on my road bike a couple months ago after about two years of a moderately sedentary lifestyle. And I'm really feeling it after rides.

I can't seem to get over muscle fatigue. I'm naturally atheletic. Small frame. Track in high school. Rugby in college. Bike messenger in grad school. Soccer here and there now, but, I can't seem to get back in shape.

My question: when will I stop being exhausted? Have I hit some kind of endurance plateau?

I do apologize if this question has been asked and answered. But I like to think mine is a unique question.

A couple of months? You are just getting started and patience can be your friend. Remember good rest can be just as good as a good workout. There are tons of threads on training programs for people who are trying to get back in shape.

Just stick with it, train smart and with time you will see results.

Err . . .

I notice you are 31.

No, that is not old - but, it does take a bit longer as you get a bit older. And it just gets worse as time passes by.

Patience is a virtue.

I "started" bicycling when I was 58 (longest ride prior to that was 7 miles). Within 4 months, I was able to "Ride the Rockies" - a 7 day 350 mile trip over Colorado passes.

If I could do it (10 years ago), then it will be a cinch for you - just a bit more patience on your part.

BE SURE TO GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF REST AND RECOVERY TIME. This is as important as the riding time.

I'm there with ya buddy. A while ago, I screwed up my back and through some crappy doctors, things got worse. Finally, one doctor told me that in order to save my back and prostate that I could never ride again (at 35 years of age). I was shattered. For two years, I didn't bike. Depression was an anvil.

Then I bought a recumbent. I'm loving biking again... but after two years of being sedentary, I'm slow and tired. I've got a two week bicycle vacation coming in mid-August and I'm hoping to be able to do 40 miles a day solo loaded touring. I thought it would be pretty easy. Now I'm wondering if I can hack it.

Thanks so far for the encouragement.

I'd like make a clarification. I'm not a tourer or a racer. I started looking for a bike in response to Chicago's gas prices so I use it to commute (less than two miles away) and for tearing down the city streets for thrill and sport.

Since I wasn't training for any marathons, I guess I didn't expect the adjustment to take so long. (Or for there to even be one). People are always so shocked when I tell them how out of shape I am at 5'5" and 115 pounds.

I guess I was starting to believe the hype.

well, I am doing a commute 10 miles each way after not biking for years. I have been at it for just over a month, averaging about 3 days/week. I am fatigued as well, and still trying to get in decent shape. For me, I am still working on adjusting my diet to account for the energy load. also, I limited my weekend riding to the morning coffee shop run for coffee and bagels, which is only 5.5 round trip. so, I am basically taking 29 miles off over the weekend.

I am hoping that the rest and eating more 'good' food, meaning right foods at right times, will get me over the hump.

I am hoping that the rest and eating more 'good' food, meaning right foods at right times, will get me over the hump.

That's a good point. I'm glad you said that because it makes me realize something: my eating habits suck. I don't like to eat first thing in the morning. I was about to say, I don't know why, but I do now that I've taken a moment to think about it. Eating - just about anything makes me drowsy. (This surely could be the topic of a whole new thread on diet and nutrition) But because of that, I eat midday and perhaps later in the evening. But I must be starving my muscles.

Is there a weekly meal plan "bike diet" (if you will) in this forum for non-calorie counting, out of shape people who don't eat?

Most of the threads here seem geared towards veteren riders. But, I just got back on my road bike a couple months ago after about two years of a moderately sedentary lifestyle. And I'm really feeling it after rides.

I can't seem to get over muscle fatigue. I'm naturally atheletic. Small frame. Track in high school. Rugby in college. Bike messenger in grad school. Soccer here and there now, but, I can't seem to get back in shape.

My question: when will I stop being exhausted? Have I hit some kind of endurance plateau?

I do apologize if this question has been asked and answered. But I like to think mine is a unique question.

It would help to know some details of how far you are riding, how fast you are riding, etc.

Your mind remembers what you were able to do when you were in high school and college and in good shape. Now you aren't.

My guess is that you're pushing too hard, not just a little too hard, but a lot too hard. You will stop being exhausted when you slow down a bit.

I like using a heart rate monitor, but you can monitor yourself by making sure you can talk easily during most of your ride.