Am I burned out?

[markmyword]

Hi Lynda,

I’ve raced 5 of the last 7 weekends. Three 4+ hour races, one xc race, and one 2 man relay for 4 hours. Last weekends race was hard, hilly and soul sucking mud. This past week, I spun easy on a trainer on Monday and Tuesday, took Weds and Friday off, road on the road easy on Thurs, easy 2 hour mtb ride Saturday and easy 40 mile road ride today. Today my average heart rate was 129…my 2 hour is 171. My legs feel tired, I feel tired and I have little motivation. On Saturdays mtb ride I actually got off the bike and sat down to rest for 10 minutes because I was tired. I’ve never done that before. I even cut out the gym this week.

Is this what overtraining/over racing looks like? What should I do at this point? I have a race next weekend which I should race. Should I just continue to spin easy until I start to get my mojo back?

I’m using a modified 100m personal best 40+ plan. This past week was a week 12 thrown in. I race next weekend, have a week off (no race) and then a 50 miler the weekend after that. After the 50 miler I start week 8 and go through until week 12 which is the 100 miler on July 6.

Thanks for your help.

[Lynda]

Yes, you are smoked. Without immediate rest it will be tough to rebound again this season.

I recommend taking 5 days of complete passive rest. Sleep lots, stretch lightly, get a flushing light massage. Catch up on missed sedentary chores. Then do a 30 min zone 1 spin 2 days out from your next race. The day before your next race practice your warm up routine then ride lightly for 15 more minutes. Warm up well for your race and hopefully you will have rebounded by then. If not repeat your 5 days off.

Good luck.

Lynda

[markmyword]

Thanks Lynda. I appreciate your advice.

[Author]

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