[OldZaskar]

Bit of background - 47-years-old, max HR is 182, can avg 168 for 2hrs; ride 3-4 days/week - typical stuff, e.g. weekday 25 miles, saturday 50-75

Past couple weeks, I've just been slow. I can't figure it out. I feel fine - healthy, sleeping great, stress is moderate level.

The only quantifiable data points are:
- Just not seeing the top end of the HR range. I feel like I'm maxed, look down and see 162 or 168 BPM... not 175, 177, etc.
- Power average is off by maybe 5-8%

If I had a carburator, I'd say the butterfly isn't opening all the way.

Any clue what's going on? Am I just in a valley? Getting old?

 

[arai_speed]

Sounds like you need a break. 1 week chillaxing in a tropical island can do wonders for the body.

 

[Srode]

your legs are tired, take 2 days off and report back.

 

[Roland44]

Any clue what's going on? Am I just in a valley? Getting old?

I wouldn't worry at all. Just take some time off to relax and let your body recover fully. Eat and sleep well for a few days and you will be fine.

 

[Jay Strongbow]

Seasonal allergies could be a factor. Though I have no idea what your heart rate evidence says about that possibility.

I was around 44 when I stated getting allergies in the spring and it definitely impacted athletic performance. Took me a while to figure out what was up because I'd always thought allergies was something someone either had from birth or didn't have and that wouldn't change but that's not the case.

 

[pedalbiker]

depressed heart rate is a strong indicator of overreaching and fatigue.

Two days may not cut it. If you've been pushing through this for a few weeks, I'd take a week off and another week extremely easy (or off).

 

[OldZaskar]

This is good feedback - thanks guys. I eased up for Tuesday's ride, and am taking the rest of the week off. Hoping a 4-day break is enough... really hate not riding ;-)

 

[Mike T.]

A few years ago I was way under-rested (a better term than over-trained as almost no-one admits to over-training). I couldn't even lap the velodrome at 18mph and I felt like I was riding in wet cement. I took 9 days off (went on a mini holiday) and on my return I felt perfect and was lapping at 25mph the first night back.

Anything that causes stress (riding, working, parenting etc) without adequate recovery can cause this and they're all accumulative.