Crash & Burn Cycling Trainer Session; What Gives? Rest Days Before Hard Rides

Sometimes workouts go awry. Take a step back and critically think of why. Talk to your coach or training buddy (I keep saying this because even though we are a coaching company, I just want you to get faster and enjoy the journey!)  Here's the email exchange...... don't forget to check out the blog: https://www.evoq.bike/blog Athlete:  My face this morning...🥴  My son had a stomach bug Tuesday into yesterday (his birthday no less!) so no one was resting well. Chalked up Tues and Wed to "life (or 💩) happens".  I hopped on the trainer this morning since it's raining and could barely get through 30 mins. RPE was through the roof. I know there's so many factors that affect performance....rest, food, hydration, etc. but I just don't get how I can have an amazing ride last Sunday and can't do 30 mins on Thurs.  I'm trying not to get too down on this. I'm wondering if maybe my FTP is down (despite what Garmin says) even though maybe I'm getting more comfortable in Z2?  Rain will clear up so I could ride outside after work. Should I retry the lactate clearance ride tonight? It looks doable in TP...not sure why the first 23 mins kicked my butt today before even getting to the hard parts!!!  I'm trying to keep my eyes on my goals, while knowing "life happens" but I'm worried about falling off track since Aug is a big month.   MY REPLY:  Let me frame it this way: What does worrying accomplish? Don't waste energy doing that. 😄  The lack of sleep / poor sleep is a huge contributor to RPE. It goes skyhigh for me even when I'm just a couple hours off.   Also, you had 3 days off!! That is massive. 3 days off is a lot. Sadly, endurance performance drops, and hard rides can be very difficult. PLUS, indoors. It's harder to go hard inside. My error there, I assumed you were going to be outside with that ride.   I would just ride endurance today to get the legs back. Go enjoy the bike!  You will only fall off track by not pedaling. Keep pedaling. No one workout, or two workouts (!), will get you off track. But big gaps will. Stay consistent.  We got this!!! ONWARDS.