Happy to hear you found a way to manage your issues!
I’ve definitely experience some form of this too. Due to the nervouseness my breathing often feels more shallow and sometimes I feel like I don’t get enough air in.
I will now definitely focus on listening to my body and state of mind and doing more intuitive training sessions. When I feel ready I will restart with a 4-week plan I did last winter that really worked well or me.
Thanks a lot for sharing and keep on riding!
Interesting idea I will maybe try out when I get back to using my HR-monitor, thanks!
Early on I did remove heart rate from most of my Edge screens, and somehow got comfortable with my heart beat range. I’m over the usual formula recommendations, and do get concerned when it goes over 175, but somehow just spend the time riding thinking big thoughts about little things (not to make light of this at all). Yeah my heart pounding did freak me out at times. Doesn’t mean I’m going to die. (The chest pain I was having was more stress inducing, but it was nothing)
I used to hate people telling me to ‘just relax and enjoy it’.
One thing that I did notice is that I was the only one using an HRM strap on group rides, so there is something to be said for not using one and just letting it be. I still ride with one, and only check the data/telemetry post ride. Does any of this make sense?
Hey, getting a cardiologist checkup really helped me be more comfortable with my heart rate and the pounding I was feeling/hearing! He had me at ‘all athletes deal with that.’
Hi there,
A lot of your experience resonates here.
I’ve had anxiety issues, and I’ve had COVID and high RHR and low HRV. I’ve had people tell me I should go back to training but the numbers and my sensations told me not to. Over time, cycling ceased to be a stressor, but people did really stress me even though their intentions were good.
If your numbers are bad, and you don’t feel that good anyway, you can do light stuff that you enjoy (scenic rides , not pushing it etc)… Until you feel you are ready to push hard.
I’d say, trust your feel, and only go back when you want to , on your own terms. Peer pressure is tough in these situations, it’s well-meaning but can do a number on you