Less than 24 hours after finishing the Vätternrundan—a 315-kilometer ride that had been a key milestone in my endurance journey—I should’ve been on a smooth recovery trip to Prague. But travel had other plans. A canceled flight rerouted me to Düsseldorf for the night, delaying the start of my carefully designed three-day decompression.

That unexpected stop became a soft launch into recovery—one shaped more by fatigue and context than I anticipated.

Düsseldorf: A Pause Before Prague

What surprised me most after the Vätternrundan wasn’t the usual post-ride soreness. My legs actually felt… good. Solid even. The real issues were lingering fatigue from a cold that hadn’t fully cleared, and some irritating knee pain. So with low energy and no agenda, I wandered through MüGa Park in Mülheim an der Ruhr.

The park was green and gentle, perfect for passive movement. The highlight was discovering a cycling highway—wide, smooth, and separated from traffic in a way that felt like a blueprint for cities everywhere. But after just a few short climbs, I was wiped. My body was still catching up.

By the afternoon, I was at the airport, prioritizing rest over anything resembling tourism.

Day 1 in Prague: A Gentle Start

When I finally reached Prague, I stayed true to the plan: keep things slow. A relaxed morning at the hotel set the tone, followed by a visit to the Army Museum in Žižkov. Newly renovated, the museum turned out to be a highlight. The exhibitions spanned centuries—from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to both World Wars and the Velvet Revolution.

It gave weight to the city. I found myself surprisingly moved by the scope of Czech history and how it intersected with names I recognized from Swedish textbooks—Gustavus Adolphus, the 30 Years’ War, and more.

That afternoon, I made the obligatory walk across the Charles Bridge. It was… fine. Historic, sure. But the crowds made it hard to connect with.

Day 2: Heat and History

The second day kicked off early to dodge the forecasted heat. A stroll through Letná Park gave sweeping views over the city and its bridges, a quiet reward for beating the sun. Then it was time to retreat into air conditioning, electrolyte drink in hand.

Later, I visited the memorial for the paratroopers behind Operation Anthropoid. The atmosphere in the crypt was heavy. It reminded me that resistance often comes quietly, and that courage isn’t always loud.

Dinner was simple and satisfying: grilled meats, dumplings, and Kofola. I stayed away from beer—hydration still felt like part of the mission.

Day 3: One Last Loop

On my final morning, I packed slowly, knees feeling a bit off, but better than expected. I wandered toward Vyšehrad and followed the river back. Prague felt like a city best appreciated at walking pace—one where time stretches gently if you let it.

Lunch came from a kantina, filling and uncomplicated, before I made my way to the airport.

Reflections on Recovery

This trip wasn’t about pushing limits. It was about creating space—mentally and physically—for the body to absorb months of training. My HRV data told the story clearly: starting low post-Vätternrundan and climbing each day.

Even though I didn’t ride or run, I was still progressing.

I brought my camera but never used it. I saw the potential in the early light, the architecture, the human rhythm—but I didn’t have the energy to engage with it. That’s something to reflect on.

Weekly Training Summary: 2025-06-16 to 2025-06-22

Total Duration: 1 hour
Total Distance: 27.6 kilometers
Total TSS: 64

HRV avg: 37.2  RHR avg: 69.6 bpm  Weight avg: 72.8 kg

Wellness Trends:

• HRV rose steadily from 27.4 to 47.2 before tapering
• Resting HR dropped from 72 to 67 bpm
• Sleep ranged 7 to 8 hours per night—stable and restorative

Activity Highlight:

• 2025-06-21: 1 hour Zone 2 ride, 27.6 km, 64 TSS

Looking Ahead

Next week is about returning to gentle structure:

• June 23–25: Three short easy runs
• June 27–29: Hiking days

It’s still a light schedule, but that’s intentional. The goal is to maintain momentum while keeping fatigue in check. There’s time yet to build back into full load.

Takeaways:

• Bring Resorb and sunscreen. Always.
• Don’t assume you’ll want to shoot photos, even in beautiful places.
• Prague rewards slow exploration. I’ll rent a gravel bike next time.
• The Army Museum deserves more visitors.
• Sometimes recovery is about subtraction, not addition.