Had my FTP at an all time pb 1s, 5,20, 60, 4 hours. Met all my goals this season, won a race, placed top 5 or better in most of them. My last race, I got dehydrated and felt like crap. Its been 3 months now and I'm not excited about getting back on the bike. This is the longest I been off the bike in 4 years. I rode nothing under L3 and mostly trained L4 and higher. I thought it couldn't happen to me, over training is a bunch of bs? I totally believe in it now, after its too late. I wonder if I would have not trained with power if I would at least be on the bike? I hope I find the want and motivation again. Be happy with your fitness, think long term as in years, dont be afraid to take a week or two off because you think you will loose a lot of fitness. Thanks for letting me get that off my shoulders. I hope I will soon be back out there, and if I do, I think competing is over with, winning is not all I thought it would be.

Any suggestions for getting over what ever I'm experiencing? (whatever it is, overtraining, burnout??) please chime in.

Rediscover the core of the sport...stop thinking about training. Go find some new trails, new buddies, lose the laptop mounted on the front of your bike for real-time training stats... Sounds to me like you are burnt out on the serious end of the sport not the activity itself.

In otherwords, mix it up. I got out of downhilling because the sport got stupid and too dangerous for people that have to go to work on Monday, not because I didn't enjoy it. It was a blast...in the process I lost sight of what brought me to the sport of cycling in the first place. Just going out and seeing things, new things, new people, friends, etc...

That's something that most of us competitive types need to learn. I used to be a pretty good runner, but was always dissatisfied because I was always looking at the guys who were better. When I look back now and realize what kind of running shape I was in, I wish I could have appreciated it more then. The same could be happening with my cycling. But now, with the wisdom of age, I do appreciate the health that allows me to do it and the results that I've worked hard for. Yes, I'm trying to catch the guys in front of me, but even if I do, there will still be guys in front of me. It's kind of analogous to making a habit of putting your life on hold for the future: you'll never live it.

It depends who you are. I assume your a racer becuase you care about your power.

If your an elite racer- I recment watching as much bike racing as possible, quit your job, getting back on the bike (NO I POD) and going on rides. Soon. Maybe make your goals a little bit easier, only to get top 15s even if you think you could win. Fill all of them, get your confidence back and then start REALLY going for it again. Even if your not structured i think it is important to keep riding, base miles long and slow will last you a long time, and from what it sounds like, you have already missed a month of them.

If your recently turned 2 a 3 or 4- I would take the computer off the bike. And go riding. You gotta love the bike. Love every little part of it.

I have been there, Seriously. Once you ride out your driveway, and down some hill by your house, and hard for a min. or two. youll be back. the hardest part is putting all your **** on and goin.

wun

Sounds like it is more "burnout" than anything else. The mental side greatly effects the physical side even though it may feel mostly physical. The stress and the anxiety struggling over the thought of losing fitness or being discouraged that you are struggling to make the effort only adds to the physical pressure.

I don't know the cure, but if it were me just doing some pleasant weekend club rides help add some peace and tranquility until this phase of burnout is finished. There shouldn't be any pressure or anxiety involved in a mild club ride. As long as you are focused on losing racing fitness the anxiety and stress will only continue the burnout phase. Continuing to struggling mentally will not be efficient in training so it is best to relax a little.

Just my thoughts

I have no idea what is the cure...BUT IF YOU CAN BOTTLE YOUR PROBLEM, I WILL ORDER A DOZEN OR SO FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO!!!

I always say it all about perspective...

-JS