I've read other people making comment on this, the phenomenon where, after 2 hours or so, you sort of "open up" and everything starts to feel better. Is there any name for this? Does anyone else experience this? Is this a common experience?
I wonder if it has anything to do with my pre-ride nutrition. I suppose I should also mention that I've been trying to lose weight this offseason, so I end every day with a (roughly) 500 calorie deficit. In doing this, that also means I don't eat any post-workout foods to aid recovery like I would in season. But I find this also happens during the season when I'm eating properly as well.
I've read other people making comment on this, the phenomenon where, after 2 hours or so, you sort of "open up" and everything starts to feel better. Is there any name for this? Does anyone else experience this? Is this a common experience?
I wonder if it has anything to do with my pre-ride nutrition. I suppose I should also mention that I've been trying to lose weight this offseason, so I end every day with a (roughly) 500 calorie deficit. In doing this, that also means I don't eat any post-workout foods to aid recovery like I would in season. But I find this also happens during the season when I'm eating properly as well.
Thoughts appreciated.
I mentioned this pnenomenon in one of my posts some time ago. I find that after 3 hours out on the road I come into my "second wind" for want of a better term. I also used to find this on runs over 15 miles. It's as if someone has suddenly oiled all your joints, vacuumed your lungs, and slowed your HR down.
I'm not sure what happened this past weekend, but for the first hour I could not get my body to respond. I even stopped about 15 miles from the start just to ponder my situation as I watched my friend ride away from me. He noticed, turned back and asked what was going on as I was leaning over the bar in total discouragement. In total frustration I went ahead and ate 2 energy bars and a full bottle of sport drink.
On the way back everything seemed to "open up". Wow.....I was like the complete opposite as my legs felt great, heart rate was down and the pace was strong all the way to the end.
I seem to find it is HR related. Below a rate (162+/-, or about my LT) it is hard to crack the cieling. Once over, for a while, I can cruise up and down in the higher range, and feel great. See if it is heart rate dependent...
Thinking about this a little more, it seems to make sense to point to pre-ride nutrition, or at least it bears more investigation. Yesterday when I started to feel good it was after I had downed 2 hours worth of Accelerade.
I find this same phenomenon, but on a smaller scale during longer l4 intervls. You reach a point where you don't think you will last another minute and then something happens... I don't know if it a better mental foucs, finding a comfortsble breathing pace, or what?
Thinking about this a little more, it seems to make sense to point to pre-ride nutrition, or at least it bears more investigation. Yesterday when I started to feel good it was after I had downed 2 hours worth of Accelerade.
It could also be caused by the release of endorphins associated with aerobic exercise. I was out doing some light training on Saturday over some hilly terrain in the pouring rain and felt great about 2 hours into the ride. One of these "I love being out here" moments!!
I definitely get this. I rode 40 miles yesterday, the first big climb after 10 miles or so nearly wiped me out. I thought about packing in. Then 15 miles later I came to a huge climb, 10 times as long, and flew up it.
It's as though the first bout of heavy exercise is a shock to the system, but then my body gets used to, and craves more.
