failing legs

mikeh202

This is probably a very stupid question but please help anyway! I have been riding relatively seriously for 6months or so and have now started doing turbo sessions most nights of either 10mile tt or a one hour work out (Carmichael Racing Sim DVD). My fitness is obviously getting better but I am now finding that my legs are giving out long before the rest of me feels knackered - heart rate suggests that I should still have something left in the tank, I can still talk (just) etc but cant get my cadence to get up.
Is this just plain lack of fitness or should I be doing other leg specific excerise?
Any help from the wise (or wiser than me) would be much appreciated.

Murr X

mikeh202 wrote:

This is probably a very stupid question but please help anyway! I have been riding relatively seriously for 6months or so and have now started doing turbo sessions most nights of either 10mile tt or a one hour work out (Carmichael Racing Sim DVD). My fitness is obviously getting better but I am now finding that my legs are giving out long before the rest of me feels knackered - heart rate suggests that I should still have something left in the tank, I can still talk (just) etc but cant get my cadence to get up.
Is this just plain lack of fitness or should I be doing other leg specific excerise?
Any help from the wise (or wiser than me) would be much appreciated.

Most likely you are just doing too much and need to back off a good bit for a little while.

phreak

I've had a similar problem recently. Going to take a few days off (or significantly less riding anyway), and see if that helps.

Thooms

+1

Same thing happened to me, I think I was just overdoing it. Take a couple of days off like the others have said and see how you feel.

phreak

I presume of course that because the legs are feeling it that after the rest they'll be stronger than before. Kinda hope so anyway

mikeh202

Thanks guys - hope you are right - I am not going to look at my legs for two days whilst resting after which time I will probably find that I have Chris Hoys legs!!!!

Murr X

mikeh202 wrote:

Thanks guys - hope you are right - I am not going to look at my legs for two days whilst resting after which time I will probably find that I have Chris Hoys legs!!!!

Depending on how fatigued you are you may need a fair bit longer than 2 days off.

Then again you may not. Just play it by ear and if you are feeling tired all the time then you probably are.

If you are doing hard turbo sessions most nights then you are likely doing too much especially for someone who has only been cycling for 6 months.

Good luck!

mikeh202

Thanks MurrX - so how do you find the balance - my theory was work as hard as you can and if it hurts like hell you must be doing your self good but thats obviuosly not altogther right. It seems to be quite hard to nail the balance beteween not doing enough and overdoing it especialy when you only have time for short bursts - any suggestions?

Murr X

mikeh202 wrote:

Thanks MurrX - so how do you find the balance - my theory was work as hard as you can and if it hurts like hell you must be doing your self good but thats obviuosly not altogther right. It seems to be quite hard to nail the balance beteween not doing enough and overdoing it especialy when you only have time for short bursts - any suggestions?

Working like hell can be OK - well great infact, if you are getting adequate rest and recovering properly between sessions. Doing it all the time though is a recipe for disaster (for anybody).

Another important point is not training when you don't need to. This can just lead to more tiredness without getting the benefits of the training and it will NOT make you stronger, just the opposite. Make sure you are able to spot the signs of fatigue and back off accordingly sooner rather than later.

You should be taking at least two rest days a week (possibly more), depending on how hard the training is. Be sure to consume plenty of high glycaemic carbs post ride as this will help with recovery.

Obviously things like getting adequate sleep and having a balanced diet goes without saying.

It takes some time to find YOU'RE balance but you learn more as you get more experienced - trial and error is the way.

mikeh202

thanks - appreciate the advice - I guess I was trying to get fit by brute force a little!
If I add some lower heart rate turbo sessions instead of a couple of the harder ones will I actualy get any benefit? Say an hour or so at level 1/2 heart rate just spinning.

Murr X

mikeh202 wrote:

thanks - appreciate the advice - I guess I was trying to get fit by brute force a little!
If I add some lower heart rate turbo sessions instead of a couple of the harder ones will I actualy get any benefit? Say an hour or so at level 1/2 heart rate just spinning.

As I said earlier brute force is great (and necessary) but just not all the time. 8) Hehe. You must tax you're self to improve and see gains.

The easier turbo sessions will be significantly less taxing without doubt, but the benefits will be significantly less too. I would avoid training too much in the lower zones.

Although I stopped using HR training a few years ago riding at about 80-85% of max HR for many guys is a good level and gives good benefits without being super stressful and requiring a long time to recover from. You may find that 80-85% is too easy or too hard for you depending on very many factors which can vary.