Racing & How To Recover From Unplanned Time Off Due To

[2011 SWORKS]

Today will be my 10th day off the bike due to illness or allergies.
Had good form coming into the season, placed 5th in my second CAT 3/4 race ever attended (this is only my second season racing and my first season as a CAT 4), and haven't been on the bike since.
Feeling better but going to an allergy specialist tomorrow for 3 hours of testing.

Setbacks are always a possibility but I'm just wondering if you have any advice on training? I was just about to move from lactate intervals into more intense interval training at the time of my time off.

Thanks for your input.

 

[bgoetz]

Ouch! 10 days, that stinks!! I am maybe the single worst person to talk about taking time off, and how when needed it is important, I go to great lengths to avoid taking any time off of the bike. Last year it almost cost me because my leg got infected after a crash and I kept on going because my 2nd A race for the year was just a week a way. I ended up having a great showing and won the race, but I was very fortunate and every single second not on the bike was devoted towards recovering the best I could, so I had no life for a week.

Enough about me and my bad habits. It is good that you took the time off, provided that it was well needed, the good thing is that it is really early in the season so you will have plenty of time to get back on track. I would take an easy week of L1/L2, nothing too stressful on your system, I have seen too many people go back and try to make up for lost time that 1st week, only to get sick again. So start there and work your way back to your plan, whatever plan you had for the year, play it by feel and pay attention to your body while you get things back. Just remember that you can't make up for lost time, just go back to your plan, nothing more.

 

[danfoz]

Originally Posted by bgoetz .

I would take an easy week of L1/L2, nothing too stressful on your system, I have seen too many people go back and try to make up for lost time that 1st week, only to get sick again. So start there and work your way back to your plan, whatever plan you had for the year, play it by feel and pay attention to your body while you get things back. Just remember that you can't make up for lost time, just go back to your plan, nothing more.

+1. I believe Friel also advocates going back to some base work after 2 weeks off.