The Effect of an Unhealthy Holiday ?

kingrollo

Been back just over week, after 10 days on an all inclusive family holiday. Its taken me a week to feel anything like myself. The holiday consisted of cooked breakfasts, burgers, doughnuts on demand - I didn't go mad on the booze - but had a tipple most nights. - I wasn't sleeping brilliant either - v small beds

On returning, Not only did I not feel like riding my bike, I didn't care either - I finally managed to do a very slow 25 miles on sunday - this seemed to help - I got a good nights sleep - and have felt better since.

Surley I can't do that much damage in 10 days ? - whats the main culprit ?

Booze
Food
Lack of Sleep
or at 47 I need longer to recover !

dodgy

Doesn't sound much like a holiday to me!

TommyEss

I had 13 days off the bike before my attempt at the Chiltern Hundred Gran Fondo - guess how far I made it round?!

Bikerbaboon

TommyEss wrote:

I had 13 days off the bike before my attempt at the Chiltern Hundred Gran Fondo - guess how far I made it round?!

....

all of it ?

13 days you cant lose that much condition? ( says the bloke thats had a bad back for the last 2 weeks and is now eyeling up the dartmoor 100 in under 2 weeks time.)

TommyEss

Hmmm... Well to be fair I did go quicker than I should have, but given that I hauled my 100kg ass round last year, I was surprised and gutted in equal measure to have my 75kg ass pull out at the 60 mile mark, after suffering the third bout of crippling thigh cramps, complete with pulsating quads and nausea-inducing pain!! :shock:

(Seriously, I've never had anything like it... horrible!)

I would just say make a steady start at Dartmoor...!

Bikerbaboon

TommyEss wrote:

Hmmm... Well to be fair I did go quicker than I should have, but given that I hauled my 100kg ass round last year, I was surprised and gutted in equal measure to have my 75kg ass pull out at the 60 mile mark, after suffering the third bout of !! :shock:

(Seriously, I've never had anything like it... horrible!)

I would just say make a steady start at Dartmoor...!

I dont think steady is covering it. Out for my first trial run tonight will tey to get 20 miles in and then see how i feel..... so apart from crippling thigh cramps, complete with pulsating quads and nausea-inducing pain it was fine :shock:

TommyEss

Bikerbaboon wrote:

so apart from crippling thigh cramps, complete with pulsating quads and nausea-inducing pain it was fine :shock:

Yeah, a doddle!! :P

kingrollo

kingrollo wrote:

Been back just over week, after 10 days on an all inclusive family holiday. Its taken me a week to feel anything like myself. The holiday consisted of cooked breakfasts, burgers, doughnuts on demand - I didn't go mad on the booze - but had a tipple most nights. - I wasn't sleeping brilliant either - v small beds

On returning, Not only did I not feel like riding my bike, I didn't care either - I finally managed to do a very slow 25 miles on sunday - this seemed to help - I got a good nights sleep - and have felt better since.

Surley I can't do that much damage in 10 days ? - whats the main culprit ?

Booze
Food
Lack of Sleep
or at 47 I need longer to recover !

Any ideas folks ?- I felt terrible on my 25 loop last night .......and my time was well down

outofbreath2

Maybe it's just the totally different 'routine' that you got into on hols that's done it. If you're someone used to eating healthy, mostly unprocessed stuff with plenty of training then yes, it's what might be affecting you now. Don't underestimate the power of several nights disturbed sleep either. So, as to your wanting to know what the main culprit is, I'm afraid I've been no help at all have I. Sorry. I don't think it's ever just one thing unless your normal regime is so rigid you know instantly when something is amiss.

I shouldn't think you've done 'that much damage' but I guess you should look at it from the point of view from where you started. If you are superfit, you had further to fall I guess.

I did read somewhere, a long time ago, that if you slip up for a day, then you need to take action for the next 3 days. Mind you that nugget had more a weight loss bent to it, i.e. fall off the wagon for 1 meal, be good for the next 3. Similarly, if you fall off the wagon for a week's holiday, then you're confined to the naughtly step for the next 3. This is all purely anecdotal of course.

Only a month to go for you then Maybe suggest an activity holiday next time.

TommyEss

Wisdom in my bike club reckons that a week off the bike is enough to feel a noticeable drop-off. They reckon you at least need to do some riding, even if you're tapering for an event.

FWIW - my 13 days off pre-sportive were not a poor attempt at tapering, just a combination of needing to support my girlfriend as she had Ofsted in, and then a pre-planned holiday (and the car hire firm providing a 3 door instead of a 5 door, so I couldn't fit my bike alongside all the camping gear!)