Masters Racing (All Disciplines) - Late Season MoJo is Missing... Really, Really Missing. What to Do Now?

This isn't strictly speaking a racing question because I don't race. But I do work to get better and think this group is most competent to give advice on training issues, so I'm asking...

For the last couple weeks I have ridden so badly that I'm getting kind of concerned about it. My speeds are consistently WAY off of normal.... at least 2.5 MPH slower for my normal two hour rides. This is so weird I almost can't believe my Garmin at times. I've ridden well throughout the year and thought I was making progress in inching my cycling competence up. I'm on course for my yearly mileage goal. But suddenly I seem to have no power. I feel pretty fit and am not not getting breathless but my legs are tired and feel dead. Now I've been tired before but this is much worse than anything I've experienced in four years of riding. Otherwise my health and energy feel fine. What to do? Should I:

A. try to push on with normal ride frequency and times
B. ease off frequency and keep normal ride times
C. ease off both ride frequency and times
D. take at least a week off the bike
E. ride less frequently but harder/shorter
F. Other

PS...It might not be important, but my HRM has been malfunctioning so I can't give good data until the new one arrives.

I am assuming that you have upped the ante this year over prior seasons. Last year in the fall I had the same happen to me during cyclo cross season. I had been training since December and racing beginning in late Feb. My body was tired and I kept getting colds and infections. The medicine was rest. I took a week off the bike then rode only for fun with buddies. If no one wanted to do a night ride I stayed home. For the next month I probably rode 1/3 the normal miles with no hard efforts. Come December the indoor cycling program started and my training plan kicked in with base building.

Currently I have a recovery week every 4th week. I intend to discuss with my coach the possibility of a recovery week evert 3rd week or alternate with 3/1 and 2/1 next year.

Billydonn, my thoughts are that you may need some time off the bike for recovery.

Thanks AJ... . I am taking that as one vote for a C or D response to the multiple choice format. Yes, I have ridden harder this year, and a bit faster, though not necessarily more total miles. Will post back with progress, or lack thereof, on MoJo's return. Thanks again for the input.

I try to avoid telling others what they should do, instead relating my response to my experiences. if your current issue is similar to mine then D followed with a dose of C is what I would do. After a couple weeks push yourself on a familiar ride and compare the results.

I'll add that, for me, it doesn't take long to bounce back, or at least enough to tell that it's fatugue. If you do a rest week, and the next weekend your pace is up a lot, then that's a good clue. I'd also take a close look at nutrition. Anything change there?

JRA

Just ride along.

Rest. No structure. Ride when you feel like it but don't hammer or test yourself.

My two cents.

JRA

Just ride along.

Rest. No structure. Ride when you feel like it but don't hammer or test yourself.

My two cents.

I agree. It happens to me a couple of times every year, usually after I've been doing a high volume of riding. Generally, just riding for fun and when I feel like it tends to fix things.

From iPhone during the ride- "Favorable signs today. More later after end of ride."

Strava Link: http://app.strava.com/activities/22199473

Post ride report: I am really relieved to feel like my old self again. Did not push too hard but the ability to make the bike go forward was vastly improved today. Despite a bit of headwind and some slow riding in traffic, my speed and overall power was pretty much back to normal. Am still a bit spooked by how severe the performance dropoff was for the last couple weeks. I have not been there before.

What caused the recovery? Was it the buttery waffles and bacon for breakfast, the magnesium tabs I started taking, or just the rest and slow riding? Will be riding again tomorrow to see if today's good results feel like they are repeatable.

Thanks to those who offered advice. I did follow the "just ride along" plan. Lots of days off and noodled along slowly on the few days I rode.

Return of my MoJo appears to be confirmed. Had a great ride today considering wind and hills. A really fun day! It is good to be competent.

http://app.strava.com/rides/22336517

Buttery waffles and bacon breakfast are now ruled out as cause of my recovery. That leaves rest and magnesium supplements.... or "unknown factors".

Return of my MoJo appears to be confirmed. Had a great ride today considering wind and hills. A really fun day! It is good to be competent.

http://app.strava.com/rides/22336517

Buttery waffles and bacon breakfast are now ruled out as cause of my recovery. That leaves rest and magnesium supplements.... or "unknown factors".

Welcome back!