Thanks @John Withrow for the help. Yes, you are on track… Now begins the transition from Training to Races preparation. Good luck and may your spring comes soon!
@Coach Patrick I'm concerned that I might be in an overtrained state... and I have a race in a couple of weeks (Muncie 70.3). I had a great outseason and up until the last 2-3 weeks I've had a great lead up to the Muncie 70.3. Over the last 2-3 weeks I've seen the following symptoms:
1) Higher perceived exertion 2) Slower paces / less power for a given heart rate. Having a very hard time holding power on the bike. 3) Feel tired and unexcited about workouts... very unusual for me... I absolutely love triathlon, training, and my workouts... but lately I just can't get excited about them... but I push on and try to push through... only to find myself not completing the workouts, not hitting my numbers, etc. 4) Today I swam a race sim for Muncie... found myself having a hard time going more than 100-150 yards without stopping... also very unusual.
I'm not sick or anything that I'm aware of... just seems to fit things I see on the web about overtraining / over reaching. I've never had this happen before. I've been doing triathlon for probably 5-6 years now. I've done two full 140.6 races in the last two years and things have just been going great... until lately.
So, now for the bottom line... I'm registered to race in Muncie in a little over two weeks. I'm kinda freaking out because of this state I'm in... not sure how I'm going to be ready to race if I don't do something different. Can you provide some guidance? Should I take a break? Should I stop altogether for a few days... or should I just slow up and slash workouts. Not sure what to do. Thanks for any direction you can provide.
@Robert Patrick - Sorry I didn’t see this earlier. You should just shut it down. Do 30 minutes of something easy day, but just rest. You have achieved the state, most likely, for two specific reasons:
First, you were doing a great amount of work for a significant period of time and that fatigue adds up.
Second, the weather has officially turned here and with the heat of summer training itself even a baseline level has become significantly more difficult. We have moved from her. When using power is OK to one were using heart rate is required.
If you have a chance before Muncie, please give me an update. All you need is one or two short booty workouts after resting to turn the corner. Make sure you are sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night now that you won’t be working out so much. And get on top of your hydration please!
@Coach Patrick just following up. I’ve taken it easy and now was able to do a couple of harder workouts this weekend. Getting better but not where I was 3-4 weeks ago for some reason. Heart rate is probably 10-15 higher than 3-4 weeks ago for the same temps etc. I did see a Dr. and they noted that my testosterone was very low and red blood count was a little low... both which I think could be affects of overtraining right? No other medical issues... things just changed fairly suddenly. I’m working my way back. Any thoughts on whether I should proceed with Muncie this week? This is a “B” race for me. Louisville full is my “A” race. I thought about just doing it and thinking of it as a workout but to be honest I’m concerned about finishing/ tanking based on my current situation... and I don’t want to dig myself a deeper hole. So... I’m really on the fence... I generally don’t quit anything but I don’t want to be stupid either. If I don’t do Muncie how should I proceed with training? Load the Ironman plan and go? Thanks for any advice and direction you can provide.
@Coach Patrick just another follow up... see reply above from July 08... I continue to feel better each day. I'm thinking I may proceed to race this weekend... not expecting set any records or PR based on recent health challenges... but I do feel excited to race again...I'm just going to have to be smart about pacing etc. to ensure that I do finish and don't implode. I do feel like I'm going into it a little blind since it seems my heart rate zones have shifted significantly in the past 3-4 weeks for whatever reason... so I'm flying a little blind. I'll be eager to see your thoughts on this post and the last post since the race is 4 days away. Thanks!
@Robert Patrick - I say you race but it’s by RPE. Since you won’t be going full gas, you could just keep it steady on the bike and the early part of the run. Goal will be to get a fun event in and enjoy tje day; no expectations.
Im hesitant to give you HR zones as we just don’t know how your your body will respond.
You CAN work on your nutrition and transitions.
Amd don’t be afraid to take a lighter day or two after the race; then right into the Full plan!
@Coach Patrick Good morning. Just wanted to check in on my season training plan. I think I submitted it a week or two ago... wasn't sure when to expect the plan. I am in run durability right now... wasn't sure if you loaded that or if I did and forgot. Lastly, I'd like to tack on an Ultra Run (50 mi) to the end of next year. I am targeting a race which I anticipate to be on November 9 (actual date not announced yet). Can we incorporate that into the plan? Thanks!
Comments
1) Higher perceived exertion
2) Slower paces / less power for a given heart rate. Having a very hard time holding power on the bike.
3) Feel tired and unexcited about workouts... very unusual for me... I absolutely love triathlon, training, and my workouts... but lately I just can't get excited about them... but I push on and try to push through... only to find myself not completing the workouts, not hitting my numbers, etc.
4) Today I swam a race sim for Muncie... found myself having a hard time going more than 100-150 yards without stopping... also very unusual.
I'm not sick or anything that I'm aware of... just seems to fit things I see on the web about overtraining / over reaching. I've never had this happen before. I've been doing triathlon for probably 5-6 years now. I've done two full 140.6 races in the last two years and things have just been going great... until lately.
So, now for the bottom line... I'm registered to race in Muncie in a little over two weeks. I'm kinda freaking out because of this state I'm in... not sure how I'm going to be ready to race if I don't do something different. Can you provide some guidance? Should I take a break? Should I stop altogether for a few days... or should I just slow up and slash workouts. Not sure what to do. Thanks for any direction you can provide.
Second, the weather has officially turned here and with the heat of summer training itself even a baseline level has become significantly more difficult. We have moved from her. When using power is OK to one were using heart rate is required.
tje day; no expectations.
Im hesitant to give you HR zones as we just don’t know how your your body will respond.
You CAN work on your nutrition and transitions.
Amd don’t be afraid to take a lighter day or two after the race; then right into the Full plan!
Keep me posted.
@Coach Patrick Good morning. Just wanted to check in on my season training plan. I think I submitted it a week or two ago... wasn't sure when to expect the plan. I am in run durability right now... wasn't sure if you loaded that or if I did and forgot. Lastly, I'd like to tack on an Ultra Run (50 mi) to the end of next year. I am targeting a race which I anticipate to be on November 9 (actual date not announced yet). Can we incorporate that into the plan? Thanks!
Thanks!
Robert I’m on it. My apologies.