Feeling Sluggish

[Matty]

Every Friday.

The thing I find odd is that no matter how you feel, there is actually very little difference in your commute time - only a couple of minutes either side.

 

[Nebulous]

I've come to the conclusion it is a combination of staleness and tiredness.

I have a two mile commute uphill on a hardtail mountain bike. It has felt a bit of a drag for ages, probably ever since my summer holidays. Last week I was working away for 3 days and had longer hours on the other 2, which meant I got very little opportunity to exercise. I didn't mind because I was supposed to have a time trial on Sunday. Saturday was an easy 30 miles to check the TT course, Sunday TT was cancelled for safety reasons due to rain and standing water, Monday I was working away from home again. Early Tuesday morning I did a hard session (2x20s) on a gym bike, went home and did my first sub-9 minute commute since July - 1 second off my best ever.

I reckon it was a combination of more rest last week and not having done the commute for about 8 days. Your brain spends a lot of time trying to work out novel ways of stopping you pushing hard - too tired, can't be bothered, sore legs etc are often self-protection mechanisms that we may need to get past to improve. A reminder if one was needed about following the oft-given advice to mix up your training to keep it fresh.

 

[Maylian]

I get the same as well and it confuses me constantly, 4 times a week I will cycle from work to the gym and the days I feel the most tired and least inclined to get to the gym are when I perform the best in the gym. The times I feel most energised on the bike and do my best times I end up under performing in the gym.

Got to agree that for some reason cycling in the rain gives me my best times on my 3.6 mile route unless I've got a good pace setter. Whether its reduced friction on the road or just getting soaked I don't know. Looking forward to getting a road bike and hopefully see my times dropping a bit more.

 

[Silver Fox]

Isn't it something to do with biorhythms, a physical, mental and intellectual cycle.

 

[lozcs]

Could be a touch of subsyndromal SAD (seasonal affective disorder) kicking in. Light levels are on the decrease and it's well known that it can cause diminished energy levels and lethargy.

I suffer from delayed sleep phase syndrome one of the reasons I took up cycling was to get out in the morning sun to soak up some rays as part of light therapy - no way I could sit in front of a light for half hour each morning!

I agree, it could be SAD kicking in...

 

[JonnyBlade]

Over heating from too much clothing is an issue with me. Trouble is you can't just ditch it half the way into nowhere and deciding what to wear at the start of a ride is often a bit hit and miss. One minute you're flying along the next thing it's like going up hill on the flat!