Burn Out

[kgyoung]

People keep asking me if I am going to do the Memorial Park Crits and I know I should, but I just don't want to.  This feeling of just not wanting to has really been bothering me lately.  It seems like everytime I go to ride I have to drag myself to go do it.  I have been skipping my weekend group rides because the thought of having to hang with with people up the feeder road at 30mph+ makes me feel like turning the alarm clock off, rolling over, then riding later in the day by myself. It isn't that I can't do it, I just can't seem to find motivation.  I still ride 100+ miles per week, but lately it seems like getting that 100 in is more difficult than getting 200 has been previously.

Has anyone else experienced this?  Anyone have recommendations?  I am riding out at the track more and I really enjoy that, but even with that I don't look foward to racing.  I just find racing to be terribly mentally exhausting lately, even if it is just the run up the feeder road on a Saturday group ride. 

I don't like feeling like this.  I want to get back to where I am looking forward to racing.

[ThePrez]

burn out happens more than you think.  Happened to me last season.  I scheduled this year to try and avoid it and its working so far.  I basically race one month and then one month off.  Those road trips can really take a toll as well. 

[Vanessa]

i agree with blake:  the best way to avoid burn-out is to have a plan for your season.  that way, you can set goals for each race and can look forward to meeting those goals, rather than going out every week with the sole goal of placing in the money.  maybe plan your season next year to try and avoid future burn-out.  i use (and at one point talked blake into) this book:  http://www.amazon.com/Cyclists-Training-Bible-Joe-Friel/dp/1931382212.  if you get it, read the whole thing before you start planning, and do everything he says.  it's not very effective as a pick & choose plan.

for now, geez, don't race!  i haven't raced a bicycle in, oh, 8 months.  nothing wrong with a little time off   cycling is too big of a commitment to keep if you're not enjoying it.

[IronJoe]

My name is Joe and I am a burn out victim 

My recommendation falls in line with the gurus (Blake and Vanessa) and that is to take an offseason.  You just finished the collegiate road race season - as the club president nonetheless, which put forth a lot of physical and mental effort.  Racing requires physical and mental strength and when you don't feel like racing you won't perform well, which may be risking injury and then you won't be having fun lying in bed wishing you could.  So get well rested (mentally and physically) and you'll come back stronger with the excitement and urge to race again.  In the meantime, try something new, like going out to the track and prepare yourself for for the track races later.

Along with Vanessa, I think my offseason has been nearly 9 months now, but I'll come back, eventually.

[nando]

Howdy..I'm Fernando and i'm also a victim...

Mine came in the form of working full time, going to school full time, and training/doing the four main Texas marathons this past season.  By the time Dallas came in the week after finals, I was practically burnt out.  The thought of getting out of bed again at 445am to do a run followed by work, school, work, homework, maybe a ride, get home around 9pm or later...only to repeat it again the next day.  By the time the weekend came around, I was drained and actually didn't look forward to the weekend at times because of having to wake up early again for a run or ride.  I sometimes would even just turn the alarm off and roll over...then guilt would kick in, I would get up and go do the event. 

It's one of the reasons why I haven't been running as much...I just got burned out.  Since I haven't worked since the end of March, I've been trying to focus a little more on swimming, strength training, cycling, and adding a little variety really.  Plus making time for mental me time has helped quite a bit.  Now that I have decided to do only the Houston marathon as the only full marathon I do each year, it's time to focus on running a little more again to get my time down.

My burnout was more of a mental one though my body did at times cry uncle...but variety and time off helped a lot in keeping the sanity rather than just fully getting burned out and not wanting to do it again.  I totally agree with Joe (who is this guy anyway? ) that setting goals has helped me as well.  If all goes well, I do want to qualify to do Kona Ironman in 2012.  I do have a lot of work to do before I get there, but it's a goal I have.  This translates to me having to do my first half for the start of 2010 and also qualify for Boston in 2010.  Lots of work but finally have smaller goals set to get to these major ones. 

[IronJoe]

Cycling Addicts Anonymous is now open for discussion

[kgyoung]

I have to admit that hearing from you guys have made me feel like much less of a slacker.  I was afraid I wasn't taking cycling seriously enough.  It is good to know I am not the only one.

[SHASTA]

I've been burned out all season! Especially after the Lonestar Tri...