Originally Posted by atwl77

I think if you've just started using Garmin to track your performance this way, the first couple of weeks might not be reliable as it needs more data to build up a more reliable history. Once things have pretty much settled I think the results (e.g. overreaching, peaking, etc) can be more meaningful or trustworthy.

Originally Posted by canklecat

If you have energy to do other stuff after those rides, you're within your capabilities and comfort zone.

You'll know when you've exceeded those limits. The body will let you know. Listen to the body.

Happens to me more often than I'd care to admit. I tend to overdo it every ride and run and can barely function afterward. Then I repeat the same stupid thing the next day. If I'm too tired to run in the morning I'll run that evening, and overdo it again. Sometimes I'll take a day off when I should take two days off.

After resuming running in November, and doing less cycling, I got too enthusiastic in March, pushing toward a pointless goal of doing a full marathon run before summer. After consecutive runs of 7-10 miles, I ended up with persistent aches and pains, slowing me way down. And I was exhausted after every run rather than energized and invigorated. Instead of paying attention I persisted until it got worse.

And my heart rate data by itself wasn't very useful. A heart rate variability app (Elite HRV) was a bit more helpful, but I ignored those warning signs for a week and ended up... weak.

Don't do that.

Originally Posted by jpescatore

A really good book to read is The Time Crunched Cyclist by Chris Carmichael. A lot of well written information on training and fitness and explains those stress scores and the like. Also includes reasonable workouts for normal riders, as well as for racers.