Tired legs

scallop

Hi, I've been cycling seriously now for about a year. Have improved quite a lot in this time, and have upped my mileage gradually and am comfortably doing brisk 60 mile runs now, and often 100 miles plus per week, as well as interval work.

Throughout this time I've always been able to 'kick' quite well, as I have naturally quite strong legs. Anyway this last few weeks I've had a general tiredness in my legs which is preventing me kicking as well as say a month or so ago, yet my mileage has increased and am doing more intervals and my average speed has increased.

Any ideas why this might be? Do I need to rest more? Do I need to think more about fuelling properly pre and post ride?

Graeme Jones

I think you may have answered your question in your post at 100miles per week and upping your mileage you may just need a few days off to recover. Rest is just as important as the riding.

Rich158

I don't think you're doing too much, 100 miles per week isn't a huge amount although if you have just upped the mileage it may take a little while for your body to adjust. I would look at your fueling strategy and maybe prioritise post/pre ride nutrition, that seems to be the biggest limiting factor to my training schedule. I find if I get the nutrition right I can get through 3 days of hard riding without too many problems.

scallop

Thanks for the responses guys.

What would you advise is sensible pre and post ride fuelling for 3 days of hard rides?

Rich158

Personally I try to get a decent amount of carbs post ride. I don't overdo things and tend to go for a number of smaller meals spread throughout the day rather than one massive feed, I also supplement this with plenty of fruit. My main priority is to replenish my glycogen stores. Pre-ride I don't go mad, generally if I'm racing I'll stick to a low GI breakfast, porridge or something similar, supplemented with a banana. I find if I eat too much before a big ride/race I feel bloated and uncomfortable. If I've got things right in the run up to a big event I don't generally need a massive feed beforehand, and find that energy bars/drinks/gels are sufficient to get me through.

This works for me and it's been a bit of trial and error, I've tried to restrict my carb intake between hard sessions and this just leaves me feeling empty. My general rule is to ensure I drink enough and if I'm feeling hungry have a snack