If you have to have 7 to 10 days off due to, say, cold/flu in the middle of a training programme, should we just continue with the programme where we left off? Or, do a few active recovery sessions before resuming the programme?
If it was a mild illness and the time off the bike was mostly spent recovering (e.g., 3 days sick, 4 days slowly recovering), it depends whatās on the schedule when it picks up. If it was a recovery week next, then yes, Iād probably hop on it. If it goes straight into high-intensity sessions, I would do a few mid-intensity sessions first, little tasters to see how my body responds. If I feel sharp and powerful, then get back to the plan. If I feel dull and my legs are heavy and my heart rate is not responsive, Iād ease into it over a week. The new No Place Like Home would be a great place to start!
On the other hand, if it was a tough illness (e.g., 7 days sick, and Iām getting back to the bike gently in my early recovery), then I would definitely build up with small recovery rides. When I had COVID last year, I got back on the bike as soon as I could face it, but only did ~30-minute recovery rides for a week.
the key thing is before/during/after each session, reflecting on how your body and mind are doing and giving yourself the space to change tomorrowās plan in response.
hope you feel 100% (and do your rides at 110%) soon!
1 Like
First, I wait until I feel recovered.
In these kinds of situations, I like to do Recharger, and see how I feel.
If I feel OK, I will continue where I left off, acknowledging that I will have lost a little fitness because of the time off, and the body fighting off the illness. If the next workout is something like 9 Hammers, I might do some recovery rides first.
If I do not feel OK, I will wait a little longer, do some recovery rides and do Recharger again.
2 Likes
Rina,
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to provide such a helpful reply. Of course it was āmanfluā I had!
1 Like
Heretic, Rechargerās good and the Office Commute looks as though it might be worth a try too. Thanks for the suggestions.
Iāve heard manflu is the most dangerous of all the flus ā¦ though I did hear that from my husband.
hope you feel a lot better soon!
4 Likes
What I like about Recharger is that there is a cadence pyramid, a power pyramid that goes close to FTP, and some āpain shakesā at the end that test out NM/AC so I get some feel as to how harder efforts might go.
I have ridden the Office Commute about 5 times, and it is more of a recovery ride.