Do I Have to Ride Today?

I knew it would happen, there'd be days that I was on a training 'downer'. Today was the first and I had a ride to do....followed by an evening swim.....followed by a ride tomorrow morning...followed by....

I left home at 415am to meet Jacque in Newmarket, to ride to Southbank to meet Sophie & Chris at 445am to ride for 2.5hrs. The plan was an extended River Loop, including rolling hills. As soon as we started the main ride I knew that I just wasn't firing on all cylinders. In fact I've been like that all week. Having just had a recovery week last week, I thought all would be good, I'd be raring to go this week...if only. Tired legs, gritty eyes; motivation is not lacking, rather variable emotions and a get up and go that seems to have get up and gone!

From the outset of today's ride, I wanted it to be over, I tried everything to shorten it, thwarted at every turn by my fellow riders who so graciously changed the route when I said I was just going to cut it short - they chose a less hilly extended loop. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, MY LEGS WON'T GO VERY FAST, I DON'T THINK I'M GOING AS WELL AS I THOUGHT AND THERE ARE TEARS BEHIND MY SUNNIES I DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE; LET ME BE SLOW AND QUIET ON MY OWN!

But I wasn't even allowed my original plan of sitting at the back for the entire ride. Sophie and Chris and Jacque chatted, bantered between themselves, let me ride quietly along, even came for coffee with me after when I'm sure they didn't really have time. So I quietly rode, and quietly got round, quiety had tears, and quietly cursed my fellow riders for sticking with me, quietly had coffee and got ready for my day ahead. AND LOUDLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU!!!!!!

I am sure there will be more days like this, days that are worse. I have some fantastic friends to train with, to help me get through the days when my mind or body, or both are not willing; who will not let me do it on my own. I hope that I can do the same the day my fellow IM have a day like mine.


So I did my swim tonight, my eyes are still gritty, and I'm off to bed....I have a ride to do in the morning.....

Faye
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Tired all the Time?

I Googled ‘tiredness’ today. Apparently common searches are:

- Tiredness in pregnancy
- Tiredness after eating
- Tiredness in children
- Tiredness and achy joints
- Tiredness and headaches

Well I can tick off the list all of those since eating usually gives me energy at the moment, achy joints…sometimes but definitely related to the crazy world of Ironman…headaches, not really….pregnancy, uh no chance of that…and I definitely do not qualify as a child…well ok only very occasionally in excellent moments of silliness :-)

Maybe I have ‘tired all the time syndrome’. It would fit. And did you know that in a recent survey 11.7 % of the NSW population has ‘chronic daytime tiredness’. I’ve even found a link to chronic tiredness and sleep apnoea – maybe that’s it, I am stopping breathing whilst sleeping which is causing disrupted sleep and making me tired! Or I am anaemic –yep that must be it, not enough steak. Note to self; must eat more steak. Or I’m depressed…that makes people tired. Must think more positively and do some affirmations every day.

Ok, so I consulted the experts. From fellow readers of ‘Bonzo’s’ question on Google answers ‘I feel physically drained and tired all the time, even after a period of sleep. What could be going on?’

Mr.Vincent van Jessup: Diabetes, for one

Lola B: You may not realize this but someone can be depressed without other signs other than being tired all the time. It happened to me. I was tired all the time could sleep all day or night and wake up tired. My advice is talk to your doctor explain how you feel they would know.

Xindaiel: try just plain and simple stress. I get nightmares when i'm stressed.

Spinster Wife: Go for a medical check up. Your testosterone levels could be low especially if you are older. Or you could be depressed.

Stephanie: You are lacking something, if you are not eating right and staying generally active you will lack energy... Try a multi vitamin?

Well Mr. Van Jessup, I am pretty sure I don’t have diabetes...and I’m pretty confident LolaB that I’m not depressed despite being able to sleep all day or night and wake up tired. And nope, I do not feel stressed, do not have nightmares, and sleep like a log. Spinster Wife, have you checked your hormone recently, is this why you’re a spinster – you’ve been pumping that testosterone and are sporting a goaty or mo? That might make you depressed....Hang on a minute Stephanie... I do exercise, I eat regularly and well -have you seen my shopping basket full of steak, fish, vegetables, fruit (ok some chocolate too..), and I take more than just a multi vitamin....my bathroom cabinet resembles a health store.

I just can’t figure it out...tired all the time despite doing stuff that are supposed to give you more energy each day...exercise, eat well, exercise, sleep and start all over again. Hang on a minute that word seems to pop up more than just once in a day.....exercise.

Mmmmmmm.........

I like the response from '5zerocool' - Try some coffee for a boost. I know that if I don't have my coffee in the morning I will be dragging until lunchtime. Some people I know complain about being tired all the time, but won't try coffee. Weird!

Weird indeed 5zerocool, weird indeed!

Faye
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