True overtraining syndrome takes weeks or months to develop and weeks to months to recover from. Most cyclists who think they're overtrained are actually 'overreached' — a shorter-term state that resolves with 1-2 weeks of reduced training. The distinction matters: overreaching is a normal part of training that leads to supercompensation. Overtraining is pathological. Warning signs: declining performance despite training, persistent fatigue, frequent illness, loss of motivation, sleep disturbance.
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