Age and fatigue
Discussion
I'm 68, and have been a regular cyclist most of my life. Was reasonably successful in my youth riding many time trials.
Got married, had kids, so stopped,and began leisure cycling again in 2005.
Fitness progressed, culminating in riding Lands End/Cape Wrath.
Then the racing bug was forming and so began training, resulting in doing a 26.00 dead 10 mile TT in 2010, aged 57.
A crash whilst training occurred, and so resumed leisure cycling again, managing 75/100 miles per week. Felt pretty fit, and was happy in myself.
Just before Covid struck, I was very ill in the February, and was totally wiped out for 6 weeks, whilst the pandemic was announced.
Began riding again, starting gently, but even so, 15 miles was hard work, and I could only do this a couple of times per week.
Gradually built the miles up to 60 per week, and really had to push myself as every time I went out, I felt dreadful afterwards. So much so, that now I hardly go out at all, because I know it'll take days to recover.
So to all those out there of similar age, how do you feel after a decent ride?
I ask as I don't know if I have long Covid, or it's just age. Covid testing wasn't available when I was ill.
I've since had all jabs.
If on holiday or days out, I can easily walk 10,000 steps on consecutive days and not feel tired.
Got married, had kids, so stopped,and began leisure cycling again in 2005.
Fitness progressed, culminating in riding Lands End/Cape Wrath.
Then the racing bug was forming and so began training, resulting in doing a 26.00 dead 10 mile TT in 2010, aged 57.
A crash whilst training occurred, and so resumed leisure cycling again, managing 75/100 miles per week. Felt pretty fit, and was happy in myself.
Just before Covid struck, I was very ill in the February, and was totally wiped out for 6 weeks, whilst the pandemic was announced.
Began riding again, starting gently, but even so, 15 miles was hard work, and I could only do this a couple of times per week.
Gradually built the miles up to 60 per week, and really had to push myself as every time I went out, I felt dreadful afterwards. So much so, that now I hardly go out at all, because I know it'll take days to recover.
So to all those out there of similar age, how do you feel after a decent ride?
I ask as I don't know if I have long Covid, or it's just age. Covid testing wasn't available when I was ill.
I've since had all jabs.
If on holiday or days out, I can easily walk 10,000 steps on consecutive days and not feel tired.
I am so sorry to hear that. I am no medical expert but have you spoken to a doctor? They may run routine blood tests first. I am not sure if Covid leaves any long term markers that can be identified too so that you rule in/out long Covid.
If that fails there may well be specialist sport doctors who you may want to consult privately as whatever it is, you're probably not the first one to experience it.
What about running one of those effort tests on a stationary bike where perhaps they can see something in your body's reaction to the effort?
Clutching at straws here and hopefully others might be able to help you better.
If that fails there may well be specialist sport doctors who you may want to consult privately as whatever it is, you're probably not the first one to experience it.
What about running one of those effort tests on a stationary bike where perhaps they can see something in your body's reaction to the effort?
Clutching at straws here and hopefully others might be able to help you better.
Get an ebike. One of the light weight minimal assist ones like the FAZUA boardman. It will get you the joy of cycling again but drop the load on your body (knees and lower heart rate) and allow you to build back up.
I built my fitness on an ebike and now I can do 50+ miles on my clockwork bike no probs.
I built my fitness on an ebike and now I can do 50+ miles on my clockwork bike no probs.
Thanks for your reply. No, haven't been to the doctor as my general health is unaffected. Not over weight, blood pressure ok, and resting heart rate still in low 40's.
Was just wondering whether at 68, I'm expecting too much from my body. Usual thing, head says yes, body says no!
And of course with people experiencing difficulties as the Press are saying, was wondering if it is long Covid or age.
I'm aware of those veterans that can still race etc, but they are a rare breed!
Was just wondering whether at 68, I'm expecting too much from my body. Usual thing, head says yes, body says no!
And of course with people experiencing difficulties as the Press are saying, was wondering if it is long Covid or age.
I'm aware of those veterans that can still race etc, but they are a rare breed!
Possibly COVID. At the start of the month both me and my partner traveled up to Ard Rock, so I could Race. She basically chilled out and treated it as a bit of a festival and a mini break.
She had COVID last July and was quite ill with it and was unable to carry on digging (Archeologist) she thought she was ok, but the camping destroyed her.
According to Garmin body battery. ( Obvs not that scientific) she dropped to 5.
I was racing, it was wet, so big draggy knobblies, with tough casings to avoid rock damage.
I had more energy than her afterwards. I think my 'battery' dropped to seven. I was pretty broken but not as exhausted and I'm also 15 years older.
She had COVID last July and was quite ill with it and was unable to carry on digging (Archeologist) she thought she was ok, but the camping destroyed her.
According to Garmin body battery. ( Obvs not that scientific) she dropped to 5.
I was racing, it was wet, so big draggy knobblies, with tough casings to avoid rock damage.
I had more energy than her afterwards. I think my 'battery' dropped to seven. I was pretty broken but not as exhausted and I'm also 15 years older.
I'm 75 and I experience fatigue. It's an age thing, it varies with everyone and it seems that actual fitness doesn't make a lot of difference. You can increase your strength/power but still get knackered.
Due to a variety of reasons, I do most of my riding in the garage on a turbo trainer. I'm doing at least 3 X 1 hour sessions a week and have recently reduced my efforts to where I'm not training much, more just exercising. That change has resulted in a raise in resting hr to 52, but a reduction in weight and BP.
I had my second knee replacement about 4 years ago and although the knees now are much, much better; I find that if I have to stop cycling for a period, then getting back up to the performance level is very difficult. Over the last couple of years I'm really struggling to stay in one place.
I do find myself just dropping off to sleep at lot more than I used to!
Due to a variety of reasons, I do most of my riding in the garage on a turbo trainer. I'm doing at least 3 X 1 hour sessions a week and have recently reduced my efforts to where I'm not training much, more just exercising. That change has resulted in a raise in resting hr to 52, but a reduction in weight and BP.
I had my second knee replacement about 4 years ago and although the knees now are much, much better; I find that if I have to stop cycling for a period, then getting back up to the performance level is very difficult. Over the last couple of years I'm really struggling to stay in one place.
I do find myself just dropping off to sleep at lot more than I used to!
Always have a drink on a ride, but as I'm only out for a leisurely hour, no need to eat. Don't really need recovery foods either. Have never monitored power etc, as always gone by feel.
Always feel OK when I get back from a morning ride, but then can't do anything in the afternoon, spoiling my day. Switched to afternoon rides, and then spoiled the evening falling asleep, ignoring and annoying my wife.
I'll see if I can get an appointment with the doctor, especially as they are encouraging exercise.
Always feel OK when I get back from a morning ride, but then can't do anything in the afternoon, spoiling my day. Switched to afternoon rides, and then spoiled the evening falling asleep, ignoring and annoying my wife.
I'll see if I can get an appointment with the doctor, especially as they are encouraging exercise.
Age will get you in the end.
I'm much fitter at 60 than I was at 50, but I'm also slower which is annoying.
Just trying to tell myself to go and ride, and average speed and segments don't count. It's hard to do though, so sometimes I just turn my elemnt off.
It's quite liberating to not actually care about the number, maybe you can try that.
I'm much fitter at 60 than I was at 50, but I'm also slower which is annoying.
Just trying to tell myself to go and ride, and average speed and segments don't count. It's hard to do though, so sometimes I just turn my elemnt off.
It's quite liberating to not actually care about the number, maybe you can try that.
I’m 71
I find that my power levels have dropped but stamina remains.
Ageing is a process that we can’t stop but we can delay it.
Weight gain is a problem and motivation mainly weather related can be a problem.
You can ride all day at your own rate, trying to keep up with younger mates is a problem.
When I ride with a bunch, both road and MTB I ride electric. Solo or with my age group standard bike.
Just keep riding
I find that my power levels have dropped but stamina remains.
Ageing is a process that we can’t stop but we can delay it.
Weight gain is a problem and motivation mainly weather related can be a problem.
You can ride all day at your own rate, trying to keep up with younger mates is a problem.
When I ride with a bunch, both road and MTB I ride electric. Solo or with my age group standard bike.
Just keep riding
Tabs said:
Always have a drink on a ride, but as I'm only out for a leisurely hour, no need to eat. Don't really need recovery foods either. Have never monitored power etc, as always gone by feel.
Always feel OK when I get back from a morning ride, but then can't do anything in the afternoon, spoiling my day. Switched to afternoon rides, and then spoiled the evening falling asleep, ignoring and annoying my wife.
I'll see if I can get an appointment with the doctor, especially as they are encouraging exercise.
How far are you riding in that hour? Always feel OK when I get back from a morning ride, but then can't do anything in the afternoon, spoiling my day. Switched to afternoon rides, and then spoiled the evening falling asleep, ignoring and annoying my wife.
I'll see if I can get an appointment with the doctor, especially as they are encouraging exercise.
If one of my athletes came to me with the symptoms you’re describing I’d be looking very closely at
- what they’re eating before the ride (or run in my case of my athletes)
- how hard they’re going. Just because it’s only an hour doesn’t mean you can’t be working hard. Are you riding at a pace where you could easily hold a conversation, or are you blowing out of your arse?
- and what they’re eating afterwards. You could easily burn a thousand calories in an hour ride, you need to put it back afterwards, doesn’t need to be fancy drinks, just a source of protein and some carbs. Bacon sandwich will do!
Only once all this had been looked at and ruled out, would I be looking at medical opinions.
stargazer30 said:
Get an ebike. One of the light weight minimal assist ones like the FAZUA boardman. It will get you the joy of cycling again but drop the load on your body (knees and lower heart rate) and allow you to build back up.
I built my fitness on an ebike and now I can do 50+ miles on my clockwork bike no probs.
Very much this. Nothing wrong with a ebike to get you out there enjoying cycling again. Cycle for pleasure not sport you don’t have to push yourself all the time OP. I built my fitness on an ebike and now I can do 50+ miles on my clockwork bike no probs.
Also it’s probably worth visiting the doc. A nurse can run your bloods just to make sure you’re not difficult in iron or something.
OP again. 3 years ago aged 64, I could do 50 miles easily within 3 hours. And in the afternoon, a 6500 step walk with wife and grandchildren, joking that if I went for a swim it would be like a triathlon!
And then I had suspected Covid. So 2 and 2 together, suggests Long Covid.
Now I'm doing 13-15 miles in my ride, with the mentioned results.
I'll try for a doctors appointment, and see how it goes.
And then I had suspected Covid. So 2 and 2 together, suggests Long Covid.
Now I'm doing 13-15 miles in my ride, with the mentioned results.
I'll try for a doctors appointment, and see how it goes.
You guys riding in your 60s and 70s, respect! That’s my aim.
I’m 55. Mystery illness in March. Loads of tests. Conclusion: can’t find anything wrong, all the Drs saying it was long covid; and that the effects of covid are much more profound than portrayed in general media (this from 3 separate consultants and my GP, all independently saying the same thing, quite disconcerting)
As other have said, get your tests done (prostrate, testosterone levels; all the bloods). But at the end of the day, might just be the mysterious long covid, AKA post viral fatigue syndrome.
Also, I changed my diet to include a lot more variety of veg/salad and I take various vitamin supplements.
For me it’s been a long journey back to health. But I’ve just completed the Swiss Epic, coming 204 out of 500 (astonishingly!). OP: get your full blood tests done and persevere. Keep riding!
I’m 55. Mystery illness in March. Loads of tests. Conclusion: can’t find anything wrong, all the Drs saying it was long covid; and that the effects of covid are much more profound than portrayed in general media (this from 3 separate consultants and my GP, all independently saying the same thing, quite disconcerting)
As other have said, get your tests done (prostrate, testosterone levels; all the bloods). But at the end of the day, might just be the mysterious long covid, AKA post viral fatigue syndrome.
Also, I changed my diet to include a lot more variety of veg/salad and I take various vitamin supplements.
For me it’s been a long journey back to health. But I’ve just completed the Swiss Epic, coming 204 out of 500 (astonishingly!). OP: get your full blood tests done and persevere. Keep riding!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff