When to take a break

cs5150

I'm kinda still a rookie so I need some advice.
I'm 43 years old and have been riding for 2 1/2 years (1 1/2 on a road bike).
I've been riding hard for 2 months straight (12 Hours Per Week) without any recovery days. My legs are feeling a little tired and lately I've found it hard mentally to get out and ride even though I continue to train.
Am I burned out?
Should I take a day or two off to recover and get recharged mentally?

The problem is I have a hard time riding withing myself. Even if I intend to take a recovery ride I find myself pushing hard within 20 minutes of my ride.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

rayhuang

Understand I dont know you so sorry if I am wrong, but sounds like a case of exercise addiction or somethng driving you to drive yourself so hard.


I used to be similar in my youth, only I had set days off, but when I was on the bike (5 days a week) I pushed and pushed and rarely even stopped pedaling to coast for hours on end. Of course there were shorter days and longer days and race days and interval days but for the most part it was push, push, push and after awhile I got worse and worse at racing.

When I quite cycling I quite for 15+ years ( I always knew one reason I couldnt get restarted was I knew how hard I always rode), but when got back in I hired a coach. Best move Ive made.

Ray

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rwinthenorth

Living a parellel life at 44yrs. old here is what I've learned:
Rest is good. Hard riding at our age is good if you've been training all your life, but not good if you've just picked it up. As Ray stated, yes you are addicted to the mid-life crisis of cycling. And yes, take a week off to recover. You won't lose your edge or desire. You probably won't even gain weight!

Try a garden project or a different activity if you need to constantly move like I do. I just spent a week kayaking and swimming in a lake. Got back and did a 50 mile ride with no ill effects, other than the heat and humidty slowing me down. I'll be going back out tomorrow and Sunday. Take a rest or you'll be forced to at some point and you may not like it. Also, if you keep pushing to hard in the beginning, mentally put on the brakes and back off. Gradually work into your groove. 12 hours a week is not to hard, but a few days off each week is what your body needs to recover, build back muscles and recharge. Don't forget nutrition either. This whole endurance thing is more about the engine and fuel than anything else.

Strumpetto

You NEED recovery days. I can't imagine going 2 months without a day off, especially if I'm riding hard. I suggest getting off of the bike immediately and taking some time off. You don't want to overtrain, if you haven't already. It will take a long time to get back to normal if you overtrain. I suggest taking a few days off, if not a week. Just my two cents. It would be terrible to ruin all of your hard work by overtraining. Good Luck!

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