After an accident late last summer, I was not able to ride for nearly 6 months. Before the accident, I was riding 200-250 miles/week steadily throughout the summer., and my RP was 48. (I am 53 y.o.) Starting in January, I got on the trainer, but at that point I had gained 12 lbs (up to 175) and my resting pulse had gone up to the high 60s.

I got outside to ride starting in early March and my mileage increased slowly up to 150 miles week by mid-April. My RP had gone down to about 56.

In May the weather got better and I upped my milage to 200-250 miles week. I couldn't resist. The rides began to include some all out hill-fests and the like. I am now up to 1300 road miles since I got outside.

By late last week, I had lost most of the extra weight, but noticed that my RP had gone up to the low 60s. Fortunately, owing to travel, I just took 3 days off, and this morning my RP is down to 48.

So I was pushing the mileage and the intensity too quickly, right? And I was headed toward overtraining, but not too badly? Obviously, 3 days of rest were very much what my body needed.

My plan is to return to riding (tonight!) and dial back the intensity just a little, hoping to build back to 225-250 miles/week by some time in June.

Thoughts?