Work stress impact on cycling performance

[Markellis]

Try supplementing your diet with L-Tyrosine

 

I’m not one to pop pills but was put onto Tyrosine a few years ago and felt a big change.

[Cafe Racer]

Amen Bud, I am with you at this point life stress and fear of unknown plays a huge role on performance. Lets hope some sort of normality returns soon  

The last couple of weeks have been incredibly stressful at work.

I have kept my training up at its normal level with a good balance of intense and recovery rides.

i have not increased my training load. i am only looking to maintain at this point.

GC figures actually show i should be feeling pretty "fresh"

 

and yet i still feel like my legs are heavy.

the only other factor i can think of is my work/life stress impacting performance.

my perceived effort feels extremely high

 

so my question is how many other people are also noticing the same physical effects due to the increase in non-physical stresses?

ie the lockdown and/or other influences

[100Tours]

I like Wimpie's take on it - listen to your body. He provides a nice way of assessing the appropriate intensity for your next session.

 

http://audaxsa.co.za/training-tips-for-cyclists/

[RocknRolla]

Lots of valuable info here.

 

Not having daily stress, and the physical exertion of visiting sites, traffic etc, has made me able to focus more on riding, having fun, with the added side effect of getting fit (without a structured program)

 

But before that happened, I shifted my focus to the enjoyment factor of riding. Concentrating on having fun on the bike. Forget intervals, forget watts, HR all that other crap and go and have fun.

 

This certainly got me to think about riding as a way to escape/alleviate stress, instead of a chore.

 

I don't beat myself up if i only decide to ride for 30mins, only, or not ride at all. it's not the end of the world.

 

In short, yes, stress heavily affects my HR response in physical exertion.

[Rocket-Boy]

Im in the IT field, I was really busy before lockdown, now I would describe it as stupidly busy.

Honestly I have no desire to do anything other than sleep when I have a little free time.

 

I have been on one run since we were allowed to exercise, the rest of the time Im in meetings from 5am or Im trying to claw back any sleep I can.

 

So yeah I wouldnt expect any decent performance if I was trying to train at this point.

[Frosty]

I've lost 5Kg since lockdown began, rounded up from 4.5Kg 

 

From offloading truck loads of product that filled 2x B777-300ER flights that ended at 02:00 in the morning on consecutive nights, on a long weekend (25-27 April), to not eating correctly all of the time, to the added pressure from work where everyone wants everything immediately, without having forecasted for it. 

 

I can't complain, as my fortune is having work is someone else's misfortune of worrying about their job.

 

That said, I've been able to ride in the evening, pretty much at the same time I was riding before lockdown, but it's the long Saturday rides that I am missing (50-60Km within 5Km radius is okay, but it's not the same as a long ride in open countryside of 100+ kilometres. Steady progress is better than no progress.

[ChUkKy]

Lots of valuable info here.

 

Not having daily stress, and the physical exertion of visiting sites, traffic etc, has made me able to focus more on riding, having fun, with the added side effect of getting fit (without a structured program)

 

But before that happened, I shifted my focus to the enjoyment factor of riding. Concentrating on having fun on the bike. Forget intervals, forget watts, HR all that other crap and go and have fun.

 

This certainly got me to think about riding as a way to escape/alleviate stress, instead of a chore.

 

I don't beat myself up if i only decide to ride for 30mins, only, or not ride at all. it's not the end of the world.

 

In short, yes, stress heavily affects my HR response in physical exertion.

 

What happens now if I ask you how much beer you've got?

[RocknRolla]

What happens now if I ask you how much beer you've got?

 

Sorry it took so long to respond, I was in the fetal position, crying in the shower....

Composed myself...thinking happy thoughts. I'm back now.

[Furbz]

Sorry it took so long to respond, I was in the fetal position, crying in the shower....

Composed myself...thinking happy thoughts. I'm back now.

 

oh no... is your bike ok?

[Let's Ride]

I found that cycling/running helped me destress and relax. Lack of sleep definitely doesn't help at all. With my job I used to often get home at 6am/8am after working a long shift. Would not be able to function for a good few days. 

 

Loving going to sleep early and waking up early and exercising. 

[Simon123]

then your "stress" is not yet high enough 

haha, 100 bucks says easily triple most peoples.   Just better at handling it.

 

Occassionally have the medics carry me off a project, but after an hour or two, I pull out that IV and check myself out. 

[The Ouzo]

haha, 100 bucks says easily triple most peoples.   Just better at handling it.

 

Occassionally have the medics carry me off a project, but after an hour or two, I pull out that IV and check myself out. 

if by occasionally you mean every 6 months or so then yeah. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

I own a business, cycling is where I go to get rid of my stress. I would not know if it affects my riding have not had a ride where I wasn't stressed the days before ???? ????

[Let's Ride]

I own a business, cycling is where I go to get rid of my stress. I would not know if it affects my riding have not had a ride where I wasn't stressed the days before ???? ????

Exactly this.

[ChrisF]

I own a business, cycling is where I go to get rid of my stress. I would not know if it affects my riding have not had a ride where I wasn't stressed the days before ???? ????

Think us weekend riders are lucky .... cycling is our escape.

[Me rida my bicycle]

Think us weekend riders are lucky .... cycling is our escape.

al goeie ding van die lockdown is nou ry ek meer as dit so aangaan sal ek binnekort dalk fiks wees ????????