I'm Overtrained and it Bums Me Out!!!

Spring is on its way.  That will clear up this overtraining malaise that is going around.  Frogs are croaking the puddles even inside the city limits of Atlanta.  Until then, you know the drill, cut it back by half for a week like the experts say and walk so you can see the flowers poking through the snow. In a couple of weeks, you will be setting PB's every day.

TW 

If you are on a weight reducing diet, it is possible you're not taking in enough calories or vitamins and minerals to maintain your body while also exercising.  It may not be overtraining at all.  Also, if you know you are in a healthy weight range as it is and have already lost 5 lbs, any further weight loss should be expected to be slow, so if you have determined that it is still safe and healthy to continue reducing, be patient. 

Do you know your resting HR when you first wake up in the a.m.?  That is also a good measure of whether or not you are over training.  That will be elevated.  Also unusual insomnia is a symptom of overtraining.  If you have backed off a lot and are still sore, maybe you should stop altogether for a few days.  It would be a good opportunity to focus on stretching, reading up on training techniques, etc.  Good luck.  Rest days are not the same as being lazy.  They are every bit as important as the workout days.  Think of it as an investment of your time.

Sharon

I agree with and am a strong proponent of doing another activity that we like. Let's remember one of the reasons we do this training. Yes, we want to compete in a tri, but I at least want to maintain health, fitness and a full life of activity. I have been active all my life and training in anything has been simply my way of keeping fit and limber enough to continue all those other things -- backpacking, kayaking, sailing, day hiking, snowshoeing, etc.. It wasn't until last year when I found triathloning that I started training for a "purpose" (you know what I mean). I like to train with that purpose, but I do not lose sight of life in general, and will take time away from my training "plan" or calendar to enjoy some other activity with friends and loved ones. That will usually get me out of a training slump (and recently did just that) fairly quickly. And I'm still using the muscles and cardio strength I've been building on in training.

My thoughts.

Nancy

I also feel wierd when I take a day off that wasn't scheduled.  But I've also learned that I'm not as young as I used to be and if my body says stop, I have to listen.  Last week I felt awful right at the beginning of what was supposed to be a long training day but my body went on strike and I had to take 3 days off.  It's kind of hard but you have to learn to let go and ignore what's on the training schedule sometimes.

Sharon