Have I been overtraining or under-resting/recovering?

(Read my previous blog post for context)

My good friend Liam Maybank pointed out that overtraining symptoms typically involve struggling to ‘get it up’ (heart rate, that is). My HR was too high for my power output. He suggested that it could be under-fuelling, dehydration/overheating or something else.

Feelings of depression and not wanting to ride your bike are typical overtraining symptoms. I experienced this last year, this is something else, my mindset is positive and focused.

I’m addicted to indoor training, I can’t get enough. It’s my escape from the whole COVID-19 situation. It helps me ‘getaway’ and feel in control during a time of uncertainty.

Perhaps my recent lack of form is due to under-recovering, under-fuelling (not having enough glycogen in the muscles), dehydration, or other contributing factors such as temperature and work stress.

With last weeks temperature increase, my sweat-fests became… sweatier. Perhaps it was this simple?

Great, this was just the kind of justification I needed to continue the masochism and ride my interval session this morning, rather than taking a break.

Liam mentioned that he’d purchased a fan to help with his indoor training. Temperature isn’t just about comfort, it can help or hinder performance. I’d overlooked this fact (probably because I’ve never trained indoors during spring/summer, I’d usually be on the road).

Tony Martin acclimatised to the 40°C+ temperatures of Qatar, ahead of the 2016 World TT Championships in Doha, by training in his bathroom with the heating turned on. Everyone thought he was crazy, but he won. This is an extreme example of how temperature affects performance.

I know from experience that I excel in cooler conditions and suffer in the heat.

It was nice and cool this morning, so I cracked open the door at 04:30 in preparation for my interval session.

My heart rate was looking much better, so I pushed through the session. I still suffered more than usual to produce the same numbers, but I got through it… just.

After guzzling 1L of Robinson’s fruit squash beforehand, I needed a ‘comfort break’ 40mins into the session (see graph below), so at least we can rule out dehydration for this session. 😉 

So, what’s the conclusion? Why did I experience a drop in my performance?

I think it was a bit of everything: fatigue, under-fuelling, dehydration, stress, overheating, etc. One thing is for certain - it wasn’t from lack of motivation or trying.

You may think I’m stupid for doing my interval session this morning, but I had to prove to myself that I could, even if I shouldn’t. I also needed to experiment and ‘run diagnostics’ (I’m becoming more and more robotic each day 🤖).

Now I’m looking forward to a few low-intensity days to recover. Wednesday evenings social spin with Brad Wiggins on Zwift (hosted by Le Col) sounds like the perfect recovery ride. 👌 

Gareth.