I attempted to do a marathon xc race Saturday. My fitness is pretty good right now, I did nationals the previous weekend, rode sunday after briefly, rode mon. for about 1:20 hard on SS, Tues. off, Wednesday fairly hard on SS for just over an hour, thursday off, Friday morn drive to race and pre ride for about 1 hr semi mellow with a few hard spurts .....................I freakin sucked! quit at three hrs and went drinking! my nutrition has been pretty good/consistant, I think I have been tapering a bit for nats. and this race so volume is down but didnt think that should be it. I felt great but had no GO. I was in fourth place when I quit but I was "OFF". Mentally, I am in a better place than lots of previous years, meaning I am excited to race...was! Also, endurance stuff is generally my thing, especially 3-5 hr gigs.I am usually a contender short or long, but specifically longer. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Ryon
Late season burn out?
If you find out, let me know. I've felt motivated this season and feel like I've done everything right training wise, based on what's worked for me in the past. At best I've only been able to come close to performances from a few years ago, when I had first been upgraded from cat 1, but generally performing worse. I tapered for a set of races back in June and just got slower over that period. It's been downhill since, last weekend I got shot out the back of a cat 4 road race. I race elite cat for mtb and cross, so that's not really the norm for me. My powertap is showing numbers that makes me think its broken.
I went to the doc this week and she ran a full battery of tests including an ekg. Should find out this week whether I have something going on there or am just a burnt out headcase. The funny part is I don't have any OT symptoms, no sore muscles, sleep fine, energy level is fine, just suck on the bike.
i can tell you that i am beyond fatigued, but that is from throwing down a 23hr week on sweet trails and not getting much sleep.
what i tend to do with back to back races is focus on recovery early in the week, then ramp up at the end toward the race, providing i have gas in the tank.
you are a strong racer. maybe you are on the edge of your base fitness for the year. it is rather late.
i am racing this weekend but am not expecting much. i am fatigued and have been focused on recovery all week just to feel normal again. racing is hard on us, we need to respect those efforts.
Thanks guys. I really, honestly, have no other answers. This is the second race in my entire racing career that spans about 15 years that I have quit for no understandable reason. Atleast the first one I knew that I was burned out. I swear I feel good, but it may be time to drink beer, bbq, and mow the lawn...Maybe I will just SS and do some super d's, I love shuttle runs when it starts to get warm!
Is it feasable to recover and throw down in September for marathon nationals?
Strader, post back on what you find out, thanks. I really enjoy the feedback from this board, much appreciation. Whybotherme, good luck this weekend, you'll do well.
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