nkodner

Vitals 6'2", 190 lbs, ftp ~301. During last night's group ride, at what seemed to be our normal tempo, I was big-S Suffering. The suffering began almost immediately. My PE was far higher than normal, and I felt like my HR was in a solid zone 4 or zone 5 all night. While I was ok to keep up with the group, it seemed like it took far more effort than my usual outings. In my mind, I was begging the group to stop, praying for red lights, etc. A few times, I was riding on pure will. Even though my powertap numbers were lower than normal(I didn't have HRM), it seemed like double the effort. I dont know if I just didn't have it, or what-all i know is that ride seemed brutal even though we didn't go as hard(power-wise).

Toward the end of the ride, I felt like I ran out of legs. My lungs seemed ok, my legs just emptied when trying to respond to an acceleration on a hill. These accelerations are not usually an issue. A little while longer, and after maybe a gel and some cyto, and a bite of a snickers bar, I was feeling much better.

On the day of the ride, I typically eat a burrito filled with black beans and rice. I eat about 1pm or so, the ride is at 5:30. Right before the ride I munched on whatever was handy at the house. During the ride, I downed 2 20oz bottles of cytomax, half a bag of shot blocks, and 2 gels. The ride was 78M in 3:55.

Yesterday, however, I skipped my 3:30 pm baked sweet potato(I think I had a bad one). Was missing out on those calories/carbohydrates enough to affect performance? I just can't remember the last time I hit the wall like this.

Some ride data from last nights (and other group rides) can be found
here.

nkodner

anyone?

veloGeezer

It could be, but honest to God, somedays you just don't have it

and if you could figure out why that is, you could probably publish a book

Chances are that missing the regular sweet potato did have an effect. Our bodies don't like surprises, that's for sure.

But will eating the sweet potato guarentee that you won't have a tough day in the future?

I would say take note of it in your logs and keep your eye out for similar occurences. Maybe with some more data points you can figure out what it was for sure, but some days (for no aparent reason) are better than others

Nickel

Sounds like you just need a rest day. Do you take a week of rest in your training?

nkodner

Actually, I'm about to take my first 100% rest week. I thought that incorporating recovery rides after long efforts was enough but I'm second-guessing that. Some of my rides just haven't 'felt' right - i.e. I would be straining while only putting up mediocre power/speed/HR numbers. Sometimes, I couldn't wait to get off the bike-maybe its just a general fatigue. I'm planning on a week off and then an easy week after that. Hopefully that will make a difference!