Is it better to train or rest in the week before an event?

[Hip Priest]

Got a big sportive next week. I've done a century before, but this one is a lot hillier, so I've been doing a 50-70 miler for the last few weekends, along with the odd 25 miler in the week and a daily 10 mile commute.

The thing is, I'm now feeling mentally & physically tired, so I'm wondering whether to train again this weekend, or have a rest. Which is best?

 

[SquareDaff]

It depends on you! I have a 100 miler this weekend. I've been doing my "short" (7.5 mile each way) commute instead of the 30 mile each way one. Will do around 10 miles tomorrow then the 100 on Sunday. That works for me as I always feel refreshed just by reducing my training mileage.

If you're feeling a little tired (maybe because you've completely stopped?!?!) then I can't see doing a short easy 10-15 mile run will do any harm.

 

[Pottsy]

Rest, you won't lose fitness in a week.

Do an internet search on 'tapering'. Also look at 'active rest' - you want to keep moving i.e. don't do nothing at all.

 

[Hip Priest]

Yeah, I feel like my body is crying out for rest but my mind is telling me my fitness will drop off a cliff if I don't train. I did a hard 70 miles last Saturday, then 50 miles commuting this week, as well as a 20 mile TT on Weds.

I'm thinking I should just chill this weekend (and fettle my bike) then commute gently next week.

 

[Rob3rt]

Very much depends. I would say still ride but maybe reduce the volume a bit. TBH, you won't need to taper for such an event really.

 

[Pottsy]

Definitely rest. You want to hit an endurance event like that itching to go, full of energy. Sleeping and eating well the week before is massively more important than squeezing in extra miles, they won't help, it's too late for that.

 

[Rob3rt]

Rest, you won't lose fitness in a week.

Do an internet search on 'tapering'. Also look at 'active rest' - you want to keep moving i.e. don't do nothing at all.

Yes you will. However you will also "lose" fatigue at a much greater rate, i.e. you will gain freshness, a contributor to form.

You will perform better slightly less fit, but considerably fresher than you will fitter but very fatigued.

 

[Pottsy]

Most of my experience is from marathon running mind you, that gives the body a real battering so tapering is very important. Perhaps slightly less so in this instance but still a good thing.

 

[Hip Priest]

Very much depends. I would say still ride but maybe reduce the volume a bit. TBH, you won't need to taper for such an event really.

Yeah, I don't want to overcomplicate things, but I'm just feeling whacked. If I still feel this tired next Fri, I'll not be relishing the 104 hilly miles! Perhaps I'll do 40 miles tonight, rest all weekend and take it gentle on the commute next week...

 

[Hip Priest]

Right, I'm overthinking this aren't I? In the last four weekends I've done a 70 miler, a 60 miler and two 50 milers, and when you factor in commuting and the occasional evening ride, I've done over 500 miles in the last 30 days.

Whether I go out tonight and do a couple of hours or not ain't gonna make any difference to my performance in the sportive is it? Sod it, I'm going to have a rest instead.

Thank you for all your advice. I think the most sensible thing is to sleep and eat well in the week leading up to the event, so that's what I'm going to do.

 

[VamP]

Standard tapering protocol is to maintain intensity but reduce volume. Judging by the amount of riding that you have been doing, I would say that you're unlikely to be seriously over-reached, and therefore unlikely to benefit from tapering.

You should be able to shake off short term fatigue in 1 day of rest, then I would carry on riding as normal. Recovery ride only the day before your event. Sorted.

 

[Hip Priest]

Standard tapering protocol is to maintain intensity but reduce volume. Judging by the amount of riding that you have been doing, I would say that you're unlikely to be seriously over-reached, and therefore unlikely to benefit from tapering.

You should be able to shake off short term fatigue in 1 day of rest, then I would carry on riding as normal. Recovery ride only the day before your event. Sorted.

Something to think about, cheers. My fatigue is a not just caused by cycling, but by a stressful few months and work and reduced sleep (ie. my kids keep waking me up early). I'll relax tonight and tomorrow, then if I feel ok, I might ride on Sunday.

I'm going to commute all next week either way, which is 50 miles in total.

 

[Hip Priest]

Another thing to point out is that I'm not a racer like some of you guys, and I've not got a target time for the event. My aim is to complete the course, and get up all the climbs. I know I can do all the climbs on the route. Whether I can do them with 70/80 miles in my legs is another matter!

 

[Rob3rt]

You will be fine

 

[400bhp]

Something to think about, cheers. My fatigue is a not just caused by cycling, but by a stressful few months and work and reduced sleep (ie. my kids keep waking me up early). I'll relax tonight and tomorrow, then if I feel ok, I might ride on Sunday.

I'm going to commute all next week either way, which is 50 miles in total.

Sounds like more sleep would be better than reducing mileage. Easier said than done with kids though.