After doing so well the last few months enjoying my riding, always extending my ride distance week by week I have fallen into a heap the last week. Really struggling the last couple of rides, my legs have no power like they did before and I am breathless on climbs that I could chew up easily. I weight train 3 to 4 times a week as well as 2 to 3 rides per week. I am feeling pretty down as I can't understand what is wrong. Please Help

Dude go see a doctor first of all, to make sure it isn't something serious. It could be some kind of depression too, which a doctor can help you with.

Might be over-training, maybe you're not getting the right nutrition, hard to say without more information really.

You'd be amazed what a couple of days of rest can do. If you're pushing yourself practically every day you're going to knacker out eventually. If a few days' rest doesn't help then see a doc.

Have you seen a doctor lately? Could you be anemic? How many miles/kilometers are you riding?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

The answer is really simple.

You have been adding additional stress to your body every week. My guess is that when you started to struggle, you worked harder. And now you've overtrained - you've put so much stress on your body that you have overstressed it.

First, you need to buy a book on training. Carmichael and Friel are both good.

Second, you are going to have to back off *considerably* to allow your body time to recover. That means perhaps 3-4 *recovery rides* during the week - rides where you don't even come close to getting out of breath, and fairly short (maybe 90 minutes) - until you start feeling better. But don't expect it to recover quickly.

First, consult with a doctor. Secondly, you need to schedule your ride every other day instead of riding everyday. I noticed my riding is limited to 20 some miles if I ride daily but if I ride every other day, I average about 50 some miles. I guess that one day lay off allows the body to recuperate, IMO.

Recovery does wonders. Top athletes know that after a tough workout, the body needs time to heal and to adjust for the bigger physical demands.

I did push harder when I was struggling. I will take a few days off and get a trainig book. Thanks

Lack of iron was a problem in the past. I'll have to check that aswell.

Heart rate monitor is good, too. Can keep you from pushing too hard on your recovery days (intentional low heartrate). You can also see when you are overtraining and can't get the heartrate up.

Just an update guys. Went to see my local doctor, he done some blood tests and when the results came back I was sent to the ER where I was diagnosed anemic. Stayed the night in hospital and had a blood transfusion and now am feelig pretty good. Planning on doing an easy ride on Sunday to check everything is ok. Thanks for everyones Help.