Hitting a 'wall'

[kaillum]

I'm into my 4th week of cycling my 4 mile commute and feel like I've hit a wall.

Up to now my average speed has been increasing and my time decreasing. But for the past couple of days it's been a real struggle both coming in and going home. Last night it took me nearly 17 mins to get home Instead of the usual 14 mins!

Is this normal? To go through a slump in fitness? I think I should still be getting quicker etc.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I'm into my 4th week of cycling my 4 mile commute and feel like I've hit a wall.

Up to now my average speed has been increasing and my time decreasing. But for the past couple of days it's been a real struggle both coming in and going home. Last night it took me nearly 17 mins to get home Instead of the usual 14 mins!

Is this normal? To go through a slump in fitness? I think I should still be getting quicker etc.

It is normal. Your body will get fitter and you will go faster. You will then either plateau or slump for a while. I really wouldn't worry about 3 mins TBO. Traffic and or weather could lose you that amount of time unless you commute is less than a mile

 

[BrumJim]

Go longer distances. Your body gets used to JUST doing enough for your commute.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Go longer distances. Your body gets used to JUST doing enough for your commute.

Also a very good point.

 

[gaz]

There are so many things that could effect how you feel and perform. I know if I don't eat enough during the day then it will be a hard ride home.
Wind can make a ride a lot easier
Traffic levels can slow you down
Traffic lights can put a stop to you completely and for me make up 15% of my journey time!

 

[pshore]

I'll second what is said above. There are loads of variables.

Something else to add to the list is simply long term fatigue. Are you giving yourself time to recover at weekends ? If not, all this extra effort adds up and makes you under perform. If you are feeling like you don't want to cycle, then give yourself a day off and you'll be like a spring chicken the day after.

Also, make sure you eat well, enough calories, whole grains, plus nutrients from vegetables and salads, nuts and seeds etc. Cycling makes you push your body and it needs all of those ingredients to run well, recover and repair ... and if you've done well, 'ave some cake! Mmmm. Slurp.

 

[2Loose]

I hit a 'best time' plateau after a while, but found that I could easily cycle much much further without any performance loss and also take hills far easier. Speed is not the only indicator of performance.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I hit a 'best time' plateau after a while, but found that I could easily cycle much much further without any performance loss and also take hills far easier. Speed is not the only indicator of performance.

Indeed

 

[crumpetman]

Also think yourself lucky that you have not hit a real wall as I did on my very first day of cycle commuting!

 

[pshore]

Indeed

Couldn't help smile when I spotted that 'crumpetman' was the next to reply.

 

[david1701]

Also think yourself lucky that you have not hit a real wall as I did on my very first day of cycle commuting!

outstanding

 

[perplexed]

Also think yourself lucky that you have not hit a real wall as I did on my very first day of cycle commuting!

Very good!

 

[kaillum]

Thanks for all your comments

I'm having the weekend off. But seem to be getting slower and slower. Might start going the long way round home to add a bit more to the journey.

Cheers
Andy

 

[Wankelschrauben]

I've actually slowed my peak speeds down from high 30's to low 30's but am getting to work just as quickly.

I am a lot quicker uphill and on flats averaging 14-18mph at leisure and have increased my short hill climb sprint away from the lights on my commute from 17mph day after day upto 20mph day after day.

I have discovered that top speed isn't everything and often, to gain an extra 1kph at top speed will incurr more effort than it would to maintain a slightly slower speed over a greater distance.