Am I overtraining. (Fairly new to road cycling)

[roadracerash1]

Hi guys I've got this dilemma. As i'm relatively new to this way of life (cause its more than a hobby) I'm not a hundred percent sure about a few things. I'm probably not the first to admit this but i take near about every opportunity to go out on my road bike. As i've just left college and i don't start my apprenticeship until two months time I've formed this daily habit of doing one- two hours in the gym (upper body and core work outs) and then roughly 35-40 miles of cycling a day. I've been doing this for two weeks and over the last 48 hours I've noticed a few things. I'm sorry for the next couple of sentances which explain some quite detailed problems but the following has started occuring:

• Im constantly sore everywhere. Especially my gluteus (Saddle soreness).
• I've been noding off at 7pm when i usually fall to sleep at 10 ish.
• My bowel movements have been eractic: as in the frequency and other things are different concerning that area.
• My performance is not improving: still doing my average 13 mph up some moderately steep hills and i cant seem to push myself anymore even though i know i could.
• I've dropped down from 76KG down to 72/73KG in under two weeks even though i'm increasing my protein and Carb intake with sports suppliments.

There are a few other things but i rather not put them down.

Do you think its down to overtraining? I say this as last year when i had my school hols I did something similar but i never had such adverse effects.

Thanks

 

[Nearly there]

Do you have padded shorts?If not they help plus you butt needs to get used to being on a bike that long.Personally I think your over doing it you need rest days to recover or you'll burn out

 

[cyberknight]

Are you stretching ?
If you think your overtraining you probably are , try a few lighter days a week to let your body recover .

 

[Andrew_Culture]

It may sound counter-intuitive but make sure you have rest days - I'm guessing that I'm considerably older than you, and if I don't take rest days I really suffer.

 

[berty bassett]

if you read about training on the internet a lot of people say the rest days are as important as exercise and i must admit as hard as it is to rest , you do come back stronger . when you pee if its very dark then you are dehydrated - but you probably know that - that might be going towards weight loss and toilet habits so might the supplements you are taking . if you are constantly pushing at a hard rate your body will start to eat away anything it can get - including muscle so you will get more tired and there will be no benefit - if the other things in the short department include precious items retreating - thats temporary and maybe you can adjust saddle abit . all the things i said are just guessing as i aint no doctor - but if you are that worried i bet theres a doctor s in your town good luck - think your overdoing it but its easy to do

 

[black'n'yellow]

You're not 'over-training', because you are not training. By the sounds of it, you are simply riding your bike too much without giving yourself sufficient time to recover. Doing exactly the same kind of riding day-in/day-out will not be helping either

 

[roadracerash1]

Thanks all. I've also been doing research and I think I'm putting a little too much strain on my body. Sorry if the thread sounds abit me me me but I've never had felt so much pain like this. I just wanted to hear opinions and experiences of other riders. Oh i haven't really divulge all details. In reply to "Nearly there" yes I'm wearing padded lycra bottoms but im still getting some discomfort. In reply to "cyberknight" Im always stretching both before and after a ride but I think a day off or two in the week will help so thank you for your suggestion. In reply to "berty bassett" I'm kind of aware that my diet and exercise might be taking a toll on certain habits and that I'm constantly aware of my hydrational needs and carbohydrate requirements. I've been using maximuscle protein powder for muscle recovery before and after rides and Isostar Isotonic drinks through out. I think ill take up your advice about saddle adjustment as the bike shop i recently bought my Trek from weren't very good with bike fitting. TBH I think they just wanted the sale. And lastly in reply to "black 'n' yellow" I know i'm not altitude riding or using other methods like pros do but I'm training for my first sportive which is in exactly a months time. As i live in the derbyshire peaks I find that I'm applying alot of "resistance training" as god didn't give me the natural ability of being a hill specialist. So i'm applying training methods to improve my climbing technique. Sorry I didn't mean to bring your comment down but I thought I give all the facts. Thanks all for all your comment.

 

[black'n'yellow]

what distance is this sportive..?

I repeat though - there is a huge difference between 'riding a bike' and 'training'.

 

[amaferanga]

You're riding your bike a lot more than you used to and not eating enough. No wonder you feel crap.

Over-training takes many, many months. You're just tired and sore from riding your bike a lot and eating too little.

 

[fossyant]

Only been doing it two weeks though - it takes time to build fitness, so it will be a long drag. You are doing too much at present, and not allowing recovery. Once you've got time and miles under the belt (this will not be overnight) then things get easier.

Think you are looking for too many gains, too quickly. I'd say 6-12 months before you really feel the benefit.

 

[roadracerash1]

In reply to black 'n' yellow the sportive is 100 mile. Since i've only been back on the bike for 2 months since i was hospitalized by a van I've had to work very hard to gain what i have lost through recovery. I completely agree there is a huge difference between riding and training. I think applying different techniques such as fartlek training, interval and resistance training constitutes as above mere "riding". Just another question does anyone here compete? I wouldn't mind competiting in the future.

 

[roadracerash1]

What i meant in my last comment was that I would like to know how to get into competitions.

 

[smutchin]

You need to find a club. You'll get a lot more out of your rides, plus you'll get lots of good advice (getting it first hand from people who can see how you ride is better than getting it at distance off the internet). You'll also find it a good route into competitive riding - they'll know where the local races are and will give you advice on how to get into them, and how to ride in them (you'll also need to sign up for a licence from British Cycling).

d.

 

[black'n'yellow]

ok - if the sportive is 100 miles, then continually riding a route of between 30-40 miles - or indeed interval training - is probably not the best way to prepare. On a 100 miler, it is likely you will be on the bike for 6+ hours. You need to be planning some long rides fairly soon if this event is in less than a month - which will get you used to spending that much time in the saddle...

Racing - look on the BC website, seek out your local circuit race series and turn up. Preferably join a club too...

 

[roadracerash1]

You need to find a club. You'll get a lot more out of your rides, plus you'll get lots of good advice (getting it first hand from people who can see how you ride is better than getting it at distance off the internet). You'll also find it a good route into competitive riding - they'll know where the local races are and will give you advice on how to get into them, and how to ride in them (you'll also need to sign up for a licence from British Cycling).

d.

About a month ago I signed up with BC so I'm half way there. Just need the stamina next.