Merryish

Ever have one of those days when it feels like your legs aren't actually connected to your heart and lungs? Two days now I've been feeling the burn in my legs - not bad, not actual pain, just a physical sensation of overwork - but my heartrate stays low and even, and my lungs are barely working at all. Kind of sore after the rides, too.

I pushed my seat up a bit, which probably has something to do with it - I'm working in a new area of my leg, or at least it feels that way. Maybe the glutes aren't getting into the picture as much in the new ride position...

</random weirdness>

nnewton123

dehydration? <--- my only guess!

Guest

You've got two classic signs of overtraining- first, your heart rate remains low during your rides. Second, your legs are feeling overtired.

Take a week off. If you must, just do easy rides, slow spinning of the legs, take it easy, and allow your body to recover. And if you can stand it, take the time off until your legs feel better and you can do rides where you can actually ride at elevated heart rates.

Koffee

Pat

Yeah, it sounds that way to me too Koffee. When I overtrain, I still ride but I KNOW I am beaten up and I don't expect anything out of the old engine except for just puttering along. I seem to recover much faster if I go out and ride slowly then if I sit around and let my legs mortify. The thing is you need to be able to listen to your body. Going out and training hard on top of overtraining is a good way to really beat up your body. I suspect that quite a few people are conditioned to riding hard each and every time they get on the bike.

Merryish

Thanks, guys - I knew I was feeling it, but it's been so long since I've made any long-term effort to stay in shape that I've forgotten what it feels like to do too much, if that makes any sense.

I don't think I can stand to take a week off -- though it's probably the smart thing, Koffee! -- but I'll definitely take it easier, and I won't do any rides this weekend. I suspect the weather's going to stop me before my legs do, so I don't want to miss the riding time I've got. And maybe I can take two days off next week instead of the usual one.

trlpmp

You might want to take avantage of this weekend weather looks sweet. At least in Chicagoland. Just take it slow. Sit back and enjoy the ride and drink lots of water and take it easy on those legs-you'll need them next time you go for a ride.

pacesetter

Even LA dont do that its foolish. look at it this way, would a race horse trainer run his horse hard everday?
makes no sense to do so.

Merryish

I specifically left my bike at the bikestation this afternoon, instead of riding home, so I wouldn't be able to change my mind and ride this weekend. So, until Monday afternoon, it's just me and my feet.

Unless I break down and swipe my room mate's bike. Which I will only do if it's reeeeeeeeeaaaaally nice out!