In reply to Anonymous:
>interesting so having a few days off might be the way forward. Is this common, I thought it was a case of if at first you dont succeed, train harder. The only other thing thats going on in the last few weeks is getting out on the hill for a few winter routes, I wonder if that is having a knock on effect?
Yeah, it's frustrating to do it. The way I look at it, you can only push your body so far before it needs time to regroup and rest. When you start back, it's recovered and it's potential for getting stronger is greater.
If you don't take the time out, it will force the time out on you, in the form of injuries. I really noticed this recently, you need to ask yourself honestly whether the reason you can't pull on hold X when you could easily last week, is that you haven't been training hard enough?
I am pretty sure this is common, think most people take weeks out from time to time.