Originally Posted by Psimet2001
I have to agree with Grasschopper - I was off the bike from October through late March and I am just now starting to feel like I have some form back. Granted I was off for medical reasons, but I was climbing the walls (and building bikes) the whole time.
I have lost so much form that now I think I have overtrained and hit some sort of wall. I have no energy and can't seem to get my HR even close to where is used to stay. I also have a permanant case of not being able to "get the lead out" of my legs. First instinct is overtraining, but that's what sucks...it's from my commute....
Between work, a long winter, and a messed-up back, I was off the bike from Oct thru mid April. It seems like my 1st instinct is to try and "catch up" and push too hard, too soon --- which is probably the best way to mess up my back again. I rode 106 miles on Sat (previous high this year was 40). I was smart enough to stop paying attention to average speed after 40 miles, but in retrospect it was something I shouldn't have done.
So what I did to help avoid trying to "catch up" and concentrate more on enjoying the fact that I'm actually back on the bike was to buy a camera and take it w/ me on my rides. It's caused me to become more aware and appreciative of my surroundings (instead of the stupid numbers my computer is spitting out). I figure this way the base miles will accumulate, the chances of overtraining will decrease, I'll develop a good level of base fitness and I'll get some great pics in the meantime.
Don't get me wrong though, once I figure I've taken enough pics and my fitness level has increased a bit, I know that I'll want to do a couple hammerfests a week in preparation for some races.