[TRIUMPH KID]

Ok, here goes, as a noobi racer last year I ended up severely over training causing less than stellar race results. Going into winter my plan was to rest December and part of January, then hit it hard but with more down time (45 years old). Problem is, I have been very sick most of the winter. The first week in February I felt great, legs were strong and ready to go but I forced myself to slowly ramp up the training on my indoor trainer. A week later wham... fever, weakness and respiratory/sinus issues. This has lasted another week with no real signs of improvement. As I type this I am thinking...dumbass, I need to see a doctor. I guess my question here is does or can overtraining affect ones body 4-5 months after race season ended?
I should also add my 2 kids and wife have been sick as much as myself but they usually snap out of it in a few days. This last one has really kicked my ass and I currently feel as if I am really down for a long time.

I know, go see a doctor, just would like info on the overtraining aspect.

 

[jeffscott]

Ok, here goes, as a noobi racer last year I ended up severely over training causing less than stellar race results. Going into winter my plan was to rest December and part of January, then hit it hard but with more down time (45 years old). Problem is, I have been very sick most of the winter. The first week in February I felt great, legs were strong and ready to go but I forced myself to slowly ramp up the training on my indoor trainer. A week later wham... fever, weakness and respiratory/sinus issues. This has lasted another week with no real signs of improvement. As I type this I am thinking...dumbass, I need to see a doctor. I guess my question here is does or can overtraining affect ones body 4-5 months after race season ended?
I should also add my 2 kids and wife have been sick as much as myself but they usually snap out of it in a few days. This last one has really kicked my ass and I currently feel as if I am really down for a long time.

I know, go see a doctor, just would like info on the overtraining aspect.

It is not likely that your current problems are related to overtraining....

As long as you have been resting healthfully ie not a lot of booze etc.

 

[mooddude]

A friend of mine kept getting sick, turns out he had mold in his house. Since he had it removed and a full clean up - he has been sick about 1/10th of the time. I have a feeling something else is going on like i.a.n. said.

 

[RideStrong]

From what I've heard, if someone is truly and significantly overtrained, it can take months to recover. You could be be overthinking this though. Intense training beats us down and makes us more suceptible to illness, especially without proper nutrition and adequate sleep. Try taking it slow for a couple of weeks, back off the intensity a bit, get lots of sleep and really watch what you eat. See how you feel. If this helps, maybe a lifestyle change is in order before you start ramping up the intensity again.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

You might look at this

then hit it hard .

Kids and family illness pull the pins out from under all of us, no matter how healthy and resistant to illness you are.

That said, I am not sure why you should be hitting it hard so early in the season. This is a common mistake, usually induced by the idea that the legs are feeling good so why not ramp up?

What is the hurry? Long and slow early on works pretty well. I know some people feel this is fallen out of favor but I still support it. Take the time to build a good base and you will benefit from it throughout the season.

Get healthy. Good luck.

 

[PissedOffCil]

I'm with Mike on this one, you didn't properly ramp up. After 2 months off the bike, you'll need a couple of weeks or even months to get back to form.

I took a some time off from serious training in october (still was training but without plan or objectives) and it took me 1 month to get back to my end of season fitness. That was after 4-6 weeks of prep to get used to the higher volume target I had.

My guess is that you skipped the preperation phase. You're asking for trouble if I'm right.

 

[TRIUMPH KID]

Thanks for all the advice, this forum never fails to deliver. The advice on the household mold issue is interesting as we just moved into a home last fall that did have some mold in the basement. We purchased the home knowing this and had it professionally removed, sealed and spray foamed and also heating ducts cleaned. My wife was at the doc with our daughter yesterday and she asked him if we could have some mold in the upstairs carpets (they were also cleaned before we moved in, house is only 7 years old). The Doc said that unless the mold is from a flood or sewage/waist issues he didn't believe it affected humans much. he also said that once the warm weather hits and the house is opened up, if our sickness continues, then replace the carpeting.

The same doctor said he normally gets sick once per winter and this year has had 3 respiratory bugs and 1 GI illness. Pretty much what I have had.

The training tips make sense, I am a no pain no gain guy, should have learned that doesnt work.