I've been reading this forum for a while now and have been very impressed with the quality of the discussions and the incredible knowledge of some posters. Although I have already asked this question in another BB, I will therefore give it a try here.
First, who am I? I'm a 19 y.o. female who has been riding regularly for about 8 months. Right now in the middle of our Canadian winter I ride strictly on the rollers, about 10hours/week. I have been on such a "program" for about a month. In fact, up to november, I strictly rode on the roads without much thought about training. From mid november to the beginning of january I trained very loosely on the rollers and jogged quite a bit. (I stopped jogging because I can't stand it. ) My goal is to start racing this spring. So here goes the problem. Whenever I get back to training after days off (1 or 2) I find myself much less performant on the bike. It doesn't last long, most of the time a day or two, before I get back to my usual self, but i still find it intriguing. My thought is that days off should help the body recover and get stronger therefore improving performances when fully rested. This is not my case.
An example. I weekly do 2x20 intervals at about 320 watts. Heart rate avg of 185. Today, after two days off, I did 30 min on the bike (it's really all I could take) at 170 watts! Heart rate? 175! It was not the same intensity as my 2x20s but it definately felt like a good hard tempo ride. HR matched the effort perception except that for such an intensity I usually have a much higher power output.
I am not too concerned with this though because I know I will get back to normal. But I am really intruiged as to why such a phenomenon.
I must add, because it had been addressed on the other BB, that I am most certain that I don't overtrain. I can track and feel progress weekly in my indurance capacities and power output at different intensities. I also feel very good and have much energy for the rest of my daily activities.
Any input will be greatly appreciated!
First, who am I? I'm a 19 y.o. female who has been riding regularly for about 8 months. Right now in the middle of our Canadian winter I ride strictly on the rollers, about 10hours/week. I have been on such a "program" for about a month. In fact, up to november, I strictly rode on the roads without much thought about training. From mid november to the beginning of january I trained very loosely on the rollers and jogged quite a bit. (I stopped jogging because I can't stand it. ) My goal is to start racing this spring. So here goes the problem. Whenever I get back to training after days off (1 or 2) I find myself much less performant on the bike. It doesn't last long, most of the time a day or two, before I get back to my usual self, but i still find it intriguing. My thought is that days off should help the body recover and get stronger therefore improving performances when fully rested. This is not my case.
An example. I weekly do 2x20 intervals at about 320 watts. Heart rate avg of 185. Today, after two days off, I did 30 min on the bike (it's really all I could take) at 170 watts! Heart rate? 175! It was not the same intensity as my 2x20s but it definately felt like a good hard tempo ride. HR matched the effort perception except that for such an intensity I usually have a much higher power output.
I am not too concerned with this though because I know I will get back to normal. But I am really intruiged as to why such a phenomenon.
I must add, because it had been addressed on the other BB, that I am most certain that I don't overtrain. I can track and feel progress weekly in my indurance capacities and power output at different intensities. I also feel very good and have much energy for the rest of my daily activities.
Any input will be greatly appreciated!