DaveQ24

I've slumped. I've gotten very little saddle time in for the last 3 weeks. I find it really distressing, but also unsure what to do about it.

It's not mental, it's primarily physical. It isn't even that I'm in poor health or anything like that. Just really busy, always burning the candle at both ends.

Basically, I'm just tired out.

I see various doctors regularly, everything is fine in that sense. My ferritin/hemaglobin could be a bit low again, I'm actually having that blood draw tomorrow, but this doesn't actually feel like that ... that is a "tired" that all the sleep in the world can't change. I feel great after I get enough sleep ... until I wear myself out by the end of the the next day.

Work has been very busy, too, the firm I work at has been advertising agressively for clients and it's brought in more business than we realistically can handle ... but I'm not management that decides these things.

The main thing that changed in my life is I decided 2 months ago to go back to using a personal trainer 2 sessions a week, which I really need to get back on track with strength training. Which is great in terms of my overall strength, especially upper body strength.

The downside is, that is 2 evenings a week when I can't ride, and, doing it after work, getting home 2 1/2 hours later than normal ... basically in time to do a few necessary chores (pesky dog, insists on eating and going out, lol) then go to bed. This is combined with a 3 day a week 6 AM boot camp which means I have to be out of the house by 5:15 am 3 days a week.

So, when I could be riding ... I'm often sleeping. I know, it's "healthy" in that sense ... but I wish I had the energy of years past when I could do it all. I got by with a lot less sleep when I was 10 years younger ... even 5 years ago.

Isn't it supposed to go the other way ... less sleep as you age?

Any suggestions?

Barrettscv 

I would continue with the strength training and get a smart trainer for indoor training this winter. Indoor training is more convenient and is ideal during reduced daylight in the winter months.

As soon as outdoor cycling weather returns in the spring, get in more outdoor miles and reduce your strength training to make time for cycling.

KBentley57

It sounds like you're stressed beyond the max to me, with the stress manifesting itself as general fatigue. It's hard to work out when you're stressed; I know most people say exercise relieves stress, but only if you can muster the motivation required to get out on the road. Stress/anxiety isn't good for the body, and it's especially bad for riding . While I haven't read it, the "Time Crunched Cyclist" training book is well revered for those that are limited on time. You may give it a read until the willpower comes back, maybe it's got some good tips, physical and psychological.

berner

Some trainers warn that severe overtraining can sometimes take weeks to resolve back to a normal situation. If you are in that situation there is no real solution except to rest, sleep and eat properly. If only mildly overtrained, then several days off consecutively are in order. When I've been "off my feed" lacking motivation, I take a day or two off or do very mild and short (say 10 miles) rides at a pleasant state park bordering Narragansett Bay. I also take walks in the same park, usually several miles. I think it is helpful to cause blood to circulate through the brain and muscles with no goal of accomplishing anything.

Wildwood 

Go take a short ride, on familiar turf, where you feel safe.... not fast.
You'll work it out.

chelvel

While you sleep the brain assists repairing your body. As you age the repair becomes less efficient, so you need more sleep. That's it. "less sleep as you age" = X

Biker395 

Personally, I feel fatigued and tired when I don't get out and exercise.

Here is my suggestion: Devote time to yourself, just like you do anything else. Whether it's an hour a day, or two hours every other day, allocate that time to yourself and don't give it up.

This may be selfish of me, but ... screw the dog and the other stuff (including the boot camp, if you're not enjoying it). Your personal health, happiness and well being is more important than the dog or anything else. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others, ya know.

YMMV of course. lol

RonH

Can you bike commute to work? That's how I got time on the bike when I lived in ATL.

Papa Tom

Here in New York, where it's starting to get cold and dark early, I tend to get a bit depressed this time of year. This definitely affects my physical stamina. I passed on riding to work all last week and I don't know if I'll have the energy tomorrow morning, either.

I know, from experience, that I am never sorry when I push myself and get out there, but the challenge grows every day as we move toward winter. Are you in an area that is starting to see the effects of autumn? I wouldn't worry that there's something wrong with you. If anything, you just need to boot yourself in the butt a little harder right now.

Jim from Boston

Any secrets for lifting yourself out of a slump? Too tired to ride!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveQ24

I've slumped. I've gotten very little saddle time in for the last 3 weeks. I find it really distressing, but also unsure what to do about it.

It's not mental, it's primarily physical. It isn't even that I'm in poor healthor anything like that. Just really busy, always burning the candle at both ends.

Basically, I'm just tired out…

.Any suggestions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonH

Can you bike commute to work? That's how I got time on the bike when I lived in ATL.

I’m in a similar lifestyle situation and for me the only way to incorporate cycling is by commuting. Last week I posted to this Training and Nutrition thread, “Commute as training - just ride hard?”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimfrom Boston

...last year I developed for myself my" Time-restricted,Personally Ambitious, but Non-competitive Cyclist Training Routine,"as discussed on this Fifty-Plus thread, “Riding versus Training” (also with other good training tips).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

About two weeks ago I described a new training routine for myself combining a well-established Ten Week CenturyTraining Schedule of daily mileage goals with a personalized intensity scale based on ”Relative Perceived Exertion (RPE).” My basic premise was that I wanted to get significantly fit, within a busy work/family time-crunched life, but not suffer so much that I would abandon the program.

I do have the advantages of a very nice minimum 14 mile one way commute that is easily extended; and a high end, very comfortable carbon fiber roadbikethat encourages riding…

As an adjunct:

To prevent boredom on the Road, I have posted:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I'm very motivated by novelty, and stymied by boredom on a bike, but I do have the motivation of commuting to work. I have found that when I drive my frequent, decades-old routes I often notice things I had not seen before. I think it’s because I can look around at more than just the road surface when driving. So when the commute [route] is getting too familiar, I just raise my head higher and look over a wider field of view….

One other whimsical technique on familiar roads is to imagine I'm riding with a certain fellow BF subscriber from the Midwest I enjoy reading, and I'm showing him around on my route. I particularly enjoy having visitors to Boston and take them on tours…

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Wright

”I have an imaginary friend,but he won’t play with me.”

On a deeper, level, I have been greatly influenced by a book, The Power of Full Engagement ByJim Loehr and Tony Schwartz with the basic concept that “managing Energy,Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal.”


Finally, on an existential level,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

Several years ago, I had lunch with a couple of MD's and the discussion turned to thevissicitudes of life, such as sudden death, and trivial symptoms that are a harbinger of a serious disease. The conclusion of our conversation was that old chestnut to live life every day to the fullest.

As we were leaving, the surgeon, a marathon runner said, "Well, any day with a run in it is a good day for me." I was already a serious cyclist for many years, but it suddenly clicked for me; any day with a ride in it is a good day for me.

Ever since then, I make a definite effort to ride my bike every day and I'm lucky to have a nice year-round cycle commute.….

Rollfast

Watch the debates, then get out of the house for a long time, thankful they aren't really making portable DTV sets.

TimothyH

The OP does not mention a spiritual aspect to his life.

For me that means prayer and the sacraments of the Church. Whatever it is to anyone else - prayer, meditation, spiritual reading, quiet time or whatever - it is vitally important.

Life is imbalanced without it.

Ora et Labora


-Tim-

CliffordK

I was going to say, if you go "car free"... then there isn't a lot of choice but hopping on the bike once in a while.

PaulH

Bike commute. Also go shopping by bike. Stop thinking of the bike as exercise, and regard it as primary transportation. Repeat after me: "bikes are transportation, cars are recreation." Dump the boot camp -- it is not necessary. Neither is the personal trainer. Who cares how much you sleep as long as you can get the job dome at work? Unless your job involves personal combat, fitness is unimportant. On the other hand, riding home from work in the moonlight, in the snow, is priceless. Just ride the bike.

Biker395 

Shoulda mentioned that too.

I get in about 35 miles a day. Huge. And the only way I can do it is because I commute.

BigAura

It is mental. The schedule you created for yourself is too much. Reassess your priorities.

EnjoyinTheRide

We are all getting older (even the young kids). Everything effects us more today than it did yesterday even though we dont feel that way generally daily. Im 54, been very active all my life but you know there are "slumps" I get in as well. Not just cycling. ive been a charter captain most of my life, I retired out of that several years ago. I still fish Salmon in Lake Ontario. I have the boat the camp etc...everything at my fingertips....But I can be honest and say ive run into slumps with that. Do I want to go?? naaa easier to stay put and enjoy whatever....Yesterday I was pondering if I should go on my daily bike ride. I wanted to go but I didnt in the same breath.

It happens....so whats my cure..(if there is one lol) I force myself to go, yesterday I went for a shorter ride than normal ( I ride a beach cruiser) and I did end up feeling better...as soon as I got the bike on the rack lol.



good luck you wil figure something out.

jppe

Dave, the fact you even care is huge. That means there is still a spark and some level of desire to ride. You will get it figured out. I can recall being in a "slump" a few years ago. I built up a new bike and the motivation to put miles on the new got me over the hump! Maybe it's not a new bike but some new accessory that gets you going again???

But if it feels like "work or a chore" to ride just don't do it. Save riding for another day when you're excited to be out on the bike. Cycling is pretty hard as it is so there's no need to attempt to create the desire if the motivation just isn't there.

fietsbob

Reads like You have more Resources than I have had .. I just ride around town to get places and long ago dropped any performance Goals

Rode from SW Ireland To NE Scotland Came back Moved out of a College town to an old Fishing Town 19 years ago,
and rarely leave the city limits.
No Car, No GF ( or ex wife) bracing myself for my 69th birthday.

DaveQ24

Thanks guys for all of the advice and input. A couple of things that hit me from the various replies.

Commuting .. wish I could, just not practical for several reasons. No locker room/shower facilities in the office building where I work, and I spend a significant amount of time out of office and not often planned in advance if there is some client crisis.

Lifestyle choices/issues - I know, I know. It's nice to say "cut out this or that" ... it's just harder to do than to say.

So here's my plan. Back to basics, make sure I'm eating right, getting vitamins and supplements I need, cutting back on the caffeine at night, drinking enough water, etc. Basic stuff.

Then start putting rides into my calendar and force myself to do it.

osco53

I dropped a heavy contract because I could not ride as much.

I now work half as much and ride THREE times as much.

You need to remember, we get no do overs.

"The Two most Important days In your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why"
Mark Twain

TimothyH

Mark Twain was an ass.


-Tim-

martianone

IN a slump ?
Time for N+1 ?

GeneO 

That will do it for a couple of seasons at least!

Other thing is just take a few days vacation and ride. You will probably realize how much better you feel when you do, Space them though id you have not rode a lot recently.

osco53

Forgot about that,, N+1 did get me out there more.