I’m one of three things: over trained, under motivated or a bit of both.
I really don’t care to waste a whole lot of time wringing my hands over the whole ordeal, it is what it is. I went out for a short ride yesterday and it hurt. This isn’t necessarily surprising after Tuesday’s ride but my legs feel impossibly heavy and lacking in their normal strength. In addition, my resting heart rate is extremely elevated. As I’m typing this, at 4am after my second cup of coffee, I’m sitting at a steady 55 bpm, 12 bpm above normal. These are classic signs of needing a break.
Over the next four days we’re expecting three days of rain and I plan on taking advantage of that by taking a much needed break. I can also say, with utter certainty, I am pleased to be in this spot. I took full advantage of an amazing stretch of good fall weather with a thousand miles over the last month and a half.
Now, tomorrow is supposed to be the one nice day over the next four – though they’re calling for 30mph winds (holy smokes!) – so I do plan on putting in a decent amount of time in the saddle before a nice three day stretch of rest.
Finally, I need to ride my 5200 a little more often! Riding my old bike makes me much more grateful for my Venge! What a bike!
UPDATE: I almost forgot! Typically I am highly skeptical about claims of over-training… The notion seems odd – you’ve got pro cyclists riding daily for weeks, if not months, on end and a guy like me has a tough time with just his 20-40 miles a day? I don’t know… Anyway, if it is real, that’s what I’m going through but I’ve let my body know that it will be rarin’ to go again before the weekend is over.
UPDATE II: Fatguy2Triguy added this: One thing you have to remember about pros, training is their job day in day out. You work all day and then go out to train. A pro may train for fours, then rest for four hours and then go out and train for another four hours. You work 8-9 hours and then off you go to train for another 3-4 hours.
That’s a very good point. Though most pros do have day jobs.
Fit Recovery 
Yes you need rest, but two cups of coffee and you are at 55?? Resting HR should be before your feet hit the floor in the morning. You still have a low heart rate when compared to most. Enjoy the r&r!
After two cups in the am I should be in the low 40’s. I always feel like I’m cheating if I’m close to sleep or just after waking up. LOL…
To put the HR in context, I’m at 52bpm when I’m getting my teeth cleaned (yes, I checked just for giggles).
Sounds like it’s time for some rest my friend. Good luck with the down time.
Thanks, I need it… Down time and I typically do not mix well together.
“Typically I am highly skeptical about claims of over-training… The notion seems odd – you’ve got pro cyclists riding daily for weeks, if not months, on end and a guy like me has a tough time with just his 20-40 miles a day? ”
One thing you have to remember about pros, training is their job day in day out. You work all day and then go out to train. A pro may train for fours, then rest for four hours and then go out and train for another four hours. You work 8-9 hours and then off you go to train for another 3-4 hours.
That’s a very good point and I haven’t really looked at it that way.
Even pro’s watch out for overtraining,that’s why these periodize their training program. Given how hard you hammer I wouldn’t be surprised if you were overtrained.
One little suggestion that may sound weird but I think would help you is meditation, it would help you deal with being still. It also helps with stress. I highly recommend it (plus there’s plenty of science to back it up).
Brother, you ever seen what happens when a grown man with a kid complex and ADD tries to meditate?! AFTER the train wreck we call it sleep. LOL!
My wife and kids are gone for the weekend… I already broke my bike down, cleaned it and put it back together. I almost Armorall’ed the tires just for laughs (I would assume this would be rather unwise).