I don’t know if it’s the reduced amount of time I spend on the bike, now that training for the century is over, or if it’s inhaling cool air in our autumn weather, or if I’m just starting to put on my few extra wintertime pounds, but I’ve noticed that what used to be a routine ride really takes it out of me these days.
Sunday morning, I went out for about 20 miles. Nothing special, although I did step it up several times to try to cover some sections at a good clip. But at the end of the ride, I felt good. Exhilarated, but not wiped out.
Then, after grabbing a quick lunch and sitting down to catch a little pro football, it felt like a wave of tiredness swept over me. I went into the bedroom, flopped on the bed, and the next thing I knew, my wife was waking me up. It was 5 o’clock.
“I didn’t think I slept that much,” I told her.
“You were sawing logs,” she said.
During August and September, that never happened. More often than not, I’d finish a longish weekend ride, say 35-50 miles, have lunch, and then do some yard work. Even after I finished my century, I didn’t crash on the couch. I took it easy, but I didn’t fall asleep.
I’ve noticed my tired spells have started over the last four weeks or so. I’m not much for naps usually, so when I conk out in the middle of the day, it’s noticeable. Not that I mind a good nap. It just surprises me that after all the effort I went through to condition myself, that a lesser amount of activity should leave me tuckered out.
Does this happen to you?