Q: I have been bike racing for three years and I am following the plan as detailed in your book, The Cyclist's Training Bible. I am training based on doing 500 hours per year. Over the winter I built a big aerobic endurance base doing lots of long, slow distance and felt good. Anytime I felt signs of overtraining I backed off and was fine again. But lately I feel so rotten that I've dropped out of my first two races of the season. My legs are constantly sore, even after taking days off. I am climbing hills worse than I ever have in my life, and I feel tired most of the time, even when I'm not on the bike. Compared to the workload I was handling over the winter, the weekly hours I am doing now are much less. What could be causing my problems? Should I see a doctor? - M.M., East Providence, RI

A: It sounds like you've been very wise with your training regimen, so I doubt your problems are due to overtraining. But there are a wide variety of other possibilities. A stressful lifestyle could produce the symptoms you describe. Stress from factors such as moving, divorce, job change and financial problems will make you feel overtrained on the bike. There also are symptoms of medical conditions that may mimic overtraining. Some of these are mononucleosis, iron-deficiency anemia, certain viral conditions, Lyme disease and even myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle caused by infection or disease).

I'd suggest you see a doctor. If medical conditions are ruled out, then I'd advise you to take a week off from training to see if rest is the answer. Start back slowly, and, while keeping the intensity low, gradually rebuild your base watching your body's response to the increasing volume.

Source: fitlinxx.com