Training & Nutrition - Cross-training during a week or two off?

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nkodner
07-18-08, 01:27 PM
I'm taking a much-needed rest week off the bike and am planning on just easy base miles the following week. I'm sure that once I get back into the swing of things, my breathing and stamina will be impacted from the two weeks of rest/recovery. Is there anything I can be doing in the meantime to cut my fitness losses?

Specfically, I play basketball or run(eeew) a few times over the next week, will that defeat the purpose of taking the time off?

During this week off, I plan on actively stretching, maybe some lunchtime-walking, and that's really about it - my legs are tired!

telebianchi
07-18-08, 02:40 PM
Last September a work trip kept me off the bike for 13 days. Luckily, I went some place with some great hiking opportunities (Phoenix + Grand Canyon on the weekend). I was on a trail eight or nine of those days. Got home and getting on the bike again was like a breath of fresh air. I felt great and did my first-ever century the following weekend.

If you're training to race, taking a week off may not be the best idea. But for the rest of us who just like to ride, I think that time away from the bike and doing other activities instead could be a great thing to keep from getting physically and mentally burnt out.