Muscular endurance

fastercyclist

Hey guys, I think I had a complete collapse of 'peak' muscular endurance today. What I mean is that I got completely rumbled on hills but did really well on flats. I got the stats from my Polar below. Split into two rides as I pulled over on one hill - something I almost never ever do - because of the amount of pain I was in and accidental pressed pause at the same time it auto-stopped, which counts as ending the session doh - although it's more useful as you can see how I collapsed I suppose. Had plenty of food and water on me.

It seemed to be a muscular endurance issue as my heart wasn't really troubled (got a max HR of around 210) but it only appeared when the ground went up. After a while of suffering for example I was doing 20 without any trouble, small rise in front of me reduced me to 10mph. It wasn't even a hill.

It all started with a collapse of power on one hill around 25 miles in, 10% gradient I was dragging myself up it at 8 mph. Same for another hill just around the corner from it at 14%. Nearly died of humiliation from the speeds. But only 5 minutes later I got onto the flats for around 8 miles and consistently put out 26-28 mph (no wind).

I really don't understand this. I've had this "power on! power off!" problem for about a week but today it really came to a head and hurt me bad. Any advice on getting around this please? It would be really appreciated as I was ready to scream in pain at some points. I'm wondering if it could be connected to moving my seat position recently. I'm normally a monster on hills, especially as I'm 150 lbs / 6 foot tall.

Sport distance calculator puts it at 5,500 feet of ascent.

Monday 15/3/10
10:00-12.35 (2 hours 35 minutes)
Planet X
Total distance: 46.7
Average speed: 18 mph (38.2 max)
Heart rate: 167 (188 max)
Time spent between 129-169: 1 hour 11 minutes
Average cadence: 78 (117)
Kcal: 2428

Monday 15/3/10
12:35-1.28 (53 minutes)
Planet X
Total distance: 13.7
Average speed: 15.5 mph (33.1 max)
Heart rate: 154 (174 max)
Time spent between 129-169: 48 minutes
Average cadence: 73 (108)
Kcal: 727

Cheers.

Splottboy

Dunno, could be some sort of Electrolyte imbalance? These are essential for muscular contractions, as you seem to have no heart problems, but I'm no expert...

Seems as tho you're ok at flat, easy stuff but, but struggle on the harder levels.

Think seeing the Doc will be a starting point, but better still, see if there's a Sports Science unit at your local Uni. They love having victims to test etc. Could be for free if they can use any info they gain from you.
Good luck...

shockedsoshocked

If you've been having a few crap days, try taking a rest.

I wouldn't think it's anything major.

rokkala

I had this when i was pretty new to cycling last year. Doing two centuries on consecutive days, on second day i was going painfully slow whenever the road pointed up, but was absolutely fine on the flat.

Think that was just having used up all my strength in the muscles you use for climbing.

Made an effort to include a lot more hills in my ride after that, increase cadence a bit and do longer rides (was only doing about 30 mile rides max when training for that).

Have you been overtraining? Taking rest days?

When you say seat position, have you altered the height or fore-aft?

fastercyclist

Rokkala wrote:

I had this when i was pretty new to cycling last year. Doing two centuries on consecutive days, on second day i was going painfully slow whenever the road pointed up, but was absolutely fine on the flat.

Think that was just having used up all my strength in the muscles you use for climbing.

Made an effort to include a lot more hills in my ride after that, increase cadence a bit and do longer rides (was only doing about 30 mile rides max when training for that).

Have you been overtraining? Taking rest days?

When you say seat position, have you altered the height or fore-aft?

I literally moved the seat forward. Undid the bolts and pushed it forward. At same angle to the downward vertical still, just further forward. Did it because its a P-X frame which has a stupid geometry really. You can see how weird the position is http://www.charleswhittonphotography.com/photo4541003.html.

I have been taking rest days although everything has been harder recently as I shifted from short rides to doing longer ones. I suppose you guys are probably right and it's more of too much too soon then anything else. My glutes did feel a bit ripped even at the start of the ride. I'll just take out a rest day as that covers all the suggested remedial actions. Thanks

shockedsoshocked

Out of interest how tall are you and what size is your bike? Looks quite small for you!

fastercyclist

ShockedSoShocked wrote:

Out of interest how tall are you and what size is your bike? Looks quite small for you!

6 foot and it's a 56


I was sat on the boundary between sizes and chose the smaller frame because I have longer legs to my torso and didn't want my arms to pop out of my sockets trying to hold the bars It looks small but it's more my body proportions aren't good for the geometry. At least this way I can bend my elbows a bit to get more areo when I want.

paul.k

i had a powerloss and total bonk the other week and thought it was diet ,4 days later dry tickely cough and running nose yep MAN FLU, bad cold really and still cannot shift it