Training & Nutrition - Health question for male master riders...

I am a 60 YO avid cyclist who trains 2-3 hours per day. My question concerns mild headaches after working on the trainer. I am not over training, I get tons of rest and my nutrition is 100%. My electrolytes are in balance and I do not think this is the problem. My rides on the bike are great,, no problem after them. I feel really strong during the trainer workouts, but after I cool down I have a mild headache for about an hour. It seems that it is located in the forehead right over the eyes. My doctor tells me he has no idea what is causing it. Of course he suggests time off, but I feel too strong to need rest. If anyone else has experienced this communicate with me please.

skidmark

skid,

questions, some weird some not. Do you stretch? Do you practice any kind of meditation or calming exercises?

Dave

Yes, I stretch. I do not practice any calming exercises. What do u suggest?

Question: You live in south central Georgia and train indoors???
I'm 59 and live in the Atlanta area and never train indoors, at least not until the temperature is below 30F.
Maybe the headaches are from being bored (riding the trainer does that :rolleyes:) or looking at the same thing (TV, computer monitor, etc.) all the time.
I ride outside and see all the sights and hear all the sounds and rarely have headaches.

Hi! Welcome. Sorry about the headahce. Must be a "pain."

I am 64, and ride a couple of hours per day, all outside except when it comes to winter time, when I use a trainer and LifeCycle.

No clue as to the headaches, except agree with RonH that perhaps boredom?

In the winter there is no way that I could stay on a trainer for 2-3 hours and I admire your persistence. Or perhaps you train 2-3 hours but only a short time on the trainer? My best is 45 minutes to an hour.

Is there a reason you don't ride outside, or perhaps you ride outside in addition to the trainer?

Hope you solve your problem.

Did your Dr recommend a stress test?

You could be dehydrated, and not know it. I'm tippin' that you sweat 3 times as much on the indoor trainer?

Setting up a large fan would reduce the profuse perspiration that occurs indoors

I'd hazard a guess that you shoulder and neck muscles may contribute. To have these groups in tension for hours @ a time can cause headaches (do for me.) More stretching of the upper back, shoulders and neck, before, during and after.

I'm not a Med, but do get headaches from shoulder, neck tension.

Hope you can locate the source and feel better.>jef.

Air quality could be an issue.

Most people do not realize that often times the air quality can be worse inside then it is outside because we may have the building/house closed up for heating or air conditioning.

If you are even slightly allergic to anything in your house it may be causing the headaches. I am just guessing though.

I like the idea of neck/shoulder muscle tension. When you say trainer, do you mean a rear wheel stand or rollers? Do you raise your front wheel to maintain the same position you would have on the road? I ride rollers indoors and noticed two things: my position is different enough that I need to adjust my seat, and I definitely sweat more even with a fan on. I always increase my fluid intake when riding indoors because you simply "run hotter".

If it is stress, try this. Caution, it may take you a few minutes of total rest, on the floor, to recover.

My wife paniced when should could not get off the floor instantly.

http://www.gaiam.com/

Rodney Yee AM yoga, an easy stretch/meditation.

The tape is $2.99.

!!!!!HEADACHE PROBLEM SOLVED!!! Thanks for all the great suggestions. Since I only use my trainer to do really hard slow revolution work to improve strength ( there are no real hills in south georgia) I apparently was stressing my upper back, neck and shoulder muscles. I now stretch and relax the upper part of my body and I have not had any headaches after the last two workouts. Thanks again.

Skidmark