Annual August Collapse
08-17-08 | 12:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Overacting because I can
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,552
Likes: 0
From: The Mean Streets of Bethesda, MD
Bikes: Merlin Agilis, Trek 1500
Annual August Collapse
Seems like every August, my legs go limp on me. I have a flat out and back section of road that I use for 2x20minute intervals, so I can tell I'm not getting nearly the same speed out of the same perceived effort and heart rate.
I used to chalk the August blahs up to the heat and humidity in DC, but this has been an absolutely wonderful August (which is saying something).
I probably get in about 4000 miles per year (including trainer & roller miles), so I'm not getting a huge number of hours in each week.
Anyone go through a similar dip? Is this the point where I should just ride easy miles for a month or do I need to grind through it.
I used to chalk the August blahs up to the heat and humidity in DC, but this has been an absolutely wonderful August (which is saying something).
I probably get in about 4000 miles per year (including trainer & roller miles), so I'm not getting a huge number of hours in each week.
Anyone go through a similar dip? Is this the point where I should just ride easy miles for a month or do I need to grind through it.
__________________
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
08-17-08 | 01:29 PM
#2
pan y agua
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,810
Likes: 1,232
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
To me it happens whenever my A goal for the year is done. Since that's September this year, my blahs are postponed for about 6 weeks.
It's just natural, you can't go hard 12 months a year, if only for mental health.
A few questions, 1) what does your off season/ base phase look like?
2) are you following a periodization sort of schedule?
3) Do you have easy weeks during the year.
One thing about my program that I think helps with burnout is that it works on 4 week cycles. Within each cycle there's an easy week every 4th week
It's just natural, you can't go hard 12 months a year, if only for mental health.
A few questions, 1) what does your off season/ base phase look like?
2) are you following a periodization sort of schedule?
3) Do you have easy weeks during the year.
One thing about my program that I think helps with burnout is that it works on 4 week cycles. Within each cycle there's an easy week every 4th week
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
08-17-08 | 02:31 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Overacting because I can
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,552
Likes: 0
From: The Mean Streets of Bethesda, MD
Bikes: Merlin Agilis, Trek 1500
generally following 4 week cycle, 1 easy then 3 weeks ascending load.
The hard weeks for the last 4 months it's been 3x5 minute intervals above LT on Tues, 45 minutes at LT low cadence Thurs, 2x15-25min at LT on Saturday and 2.5 hrs just spinning on Sunday.
Base phase usually gets a bit squeezed. I tend to go skiing in January, so December is more focused on running and weight lifting. February-March is back on the bike building up to the workouts listed above.
I'm still figuring out what works, so I'm not claiming the workouts above actually make sense. Overall goal is to become better time trailist. I had a decent TT in June but a terrible one last week. The funny thing is is that I actually think my legs are stronger than before - I can punch out a 2-3 minute effort in the 24mph zone for the first time ever. But anything longer than that and I just fade dramatically.
The hard weeks for the last 4 months it's been 3x5 minute intervals above LT on Tues, 45 minutes at LT low cadence Thurs, 2x15-25min at LT on Saturday and 2.5 hrs just spinning on Sunday.
Base phase usually gets a bit squeezed. I tend to go skiing in January, so December is more focused on running and weight lifting. February-March is back on the bike building up to the workouts listed above.
I'm still figuring out what works, so I'm not claiming the workouts above actually make sense. Overall goal is to become better time trailist. I had a decent TT in June but a terrible one last week. The funny thing is is that I actually think my legs are stronger than before - I can punch out a 2-3 minute effort in the 24mph zone for the first time ever. But anything longer than that and I just fade dramatically.
__________________
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
08-17-08 | 02:45 PM
#6
grilled cheesus
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,957
Likes: 5
From: 8675309
Bikes: 2010 CAAD9 Custom, 06 Giant TCR C2 & 05 Specialized Hardrock Sport
it was late july for me this month. took 3 days off. think i needed 5 days off. anyway, i am over it now. later.
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