meech151 

Whats up? Normally I am on the frame builders forum but today I need training advice. I have been riding roughly 150 miles a week, usually 20-30 miles at a time with an occasional 50 miler. My problem is my legs seem to be hurting more than usual and i can't seem to push through the pain, I can't seem to maintain a pace for very long before I just back off entirely, feels like I am dragging bricks. I am sure I have been through something like this before because I am an ex-cat 2 racer that use to put in 300+ miles a week, but that was 10 years ago. I am not in bad shape but am just sluggish every day and I keep trying to push through it and it keeps getting worse. Does it sound like a diet issue, need time off the bike, ride easier, etc.? I know its not over training because I am not training for anything, I am supposed to be enjoying it but I also like to keep my speed up. Could also be the summer heat I guess but that doesn't explain the hurting legs. Any coaches out there want to give me some advice? Please.

thanks
MEECH Custom Bikes

"Fly with MEECH"

JasonC

Thoughts from a newb (me)....

You said "its not over training because I am not training for anything."

150 miles a week isn't too bad... but just because you aren't training for anything doesn't mean you aren't overexerting yourself. I imagine anyone in decent shape doing 30 miles five days a week would hit a wall, assuming they are trying to keep up a fast pace every day.

- Jason

ericm979

Sounds like under-resting to me. One of the things that sucks about getting older is that you don't recover as well and need more rest.

meech151 

Thanks for giving me some insight. I believe that both of you are on target. Sometimes I think that because I am only riding an hour or so that I shouldn't ever get tired but I know thats not totally true, sometimes it just takes someone else to make see it. thanks again. chao

bauhaus92

If you are riding a 53-39 you might consider going to a compact crank for higher cadence much easier on the legs -

Carbonfiberboy 

If your legs hurt while you're on the bike, you probably need more protein. Try adding ~60g whey protein/day, in several servings, for a couple of weeks. See if that helps.