Discussion
On the way home from work (15 mile) while on by big heavy MTB with a slightly draggy (brakes are clamped nearly shut) rear wheel, and in a bloody awful headwind, I went very dizzy, my eyes became super sensitive to light, my legs effectively gave up (no aches - just no power at all) and I started day dreaming about chocolate!!!
All evidence would suggest this was a little 'bonk'.
But on such a short ride?! Surely I should be good for 60/70 miles before any of that nonsense?
That said, obviously i cycled to work (15m) yesterday I put in a sprint 5 mile run and Monday a moderate paced 10 (run). Wed last week I may have suffered food poisoning - went home ill, spent the night and next day in and out of consciousness. No sickness, though, and felt absolutely fine by Saturday.
What on earth happened to me?!
Or, Rule5?
All evidence would suggest this was a little 'bonk'.
But on such a short ride?! Surely I should be good for 60/70 miles before any of that nonsense?
That said, obviously i cycled to work (15m) yesterday I put in a sprint 5 mile run and Monday a moderate paced 10 (run). Wed last week I may have suffered food poisoning - went home ill, spent the night and next day in and out of consciousness. No sickness, though, and felt absolutely fine by Saturday.
What on earth happened to me?!
Or, Rule5?
Edited by MocMocaMoc on Wednesday 3rd April 20:43
Hmm, well I wouldn't subscribe to the idea that it's 60/70 miles before succumbing to the bonk. Depends on your level of training (being trained means being able to hold more glycogen in your muscles and liver), your level of exercise in the days before and probably some other stuff I don't know.
Doesn't sound good though - perhaps see the doc.
Doesn't sound good though - perhaps see the doc.
Sounds like a mini bonk, what had you eaten before going out?
When I get it, it's usually because I haven't eaten enough before heading out. I've got off the bike and just fallen on the floor before.
Legs like jelly, blinky lights, dizzy. Quick scoff of a mars bar and then you feel totally fine again!
When I get it, it's usually because I haven't eaten enough before heading out. I've got off the bike and just fallen on the floor before.
Legs like jelly, blinky lights, dizzy. Quick scoff of a mars bar and then you feel totally fine again!Hadn't eaten a great deal today - couple handfuls of nuts (very funny) packet of Asda prawns + cottage cheese, tin of mackerel... Promptly stuff my face when I got home, mind!
I've cycled that distance plenty times before, with no issues. In fact, I feel silly just admitting to it - 15 mile on a bike is Mumsnet territory.
Maybe more sugar before heading out next time!
I've cycled that distance plenty times before, with no issues. In fact, I feel silly just admitting to it - 15 mile on a bike is Mumsnet territory.
Maybe more sugar before heading out next time!
MocMocaMoc said:
Hadn't eaten a great deal today - couple handfuls of nuts (very funny) packet of Asda prawns + cottage cheese, tin of mackerel... Promptly stuff my face when I got home, mind!
I've cycled that distance plenty times before, with no issues. In fact, I feel silly just admitting to it - 15 mile on a bike is Mumsnet territory.
Maybe more sugar before heading out next time!
Not such a good idea: sugar = quicker, bigger high, and quicker, bigger slump. Fine for short, sharp stuff, or if you keep it topped up, but otherwise, slow 'n' steady I've cycled that distance plenty times before, with no issues. In fact, I feel silly just admitting to it - 15 mile on a bike is Mumsnet territory.
Maybe more sugar before heading out next time!
My commute used to be 27 miles each way, the morning was always fine but sometimes the return caught me out especially if work got in the way of eating properly.
The worst instance was when I knew within 3 miles it was going to be a struggle, by mile 10 I was suffering, arms went numb, I felt as if I couldn't turn the cranks over and all I wanted to do was stop. I stopped at the side of the road and if it hadn't been for a conscious effort I think I would've fallen asleep! Rather shamefully I had to call on my wife for emergency chocolate.
The worst instance was when I knew within 3 miles it was going to be a struggle, by mile 10 I was suffering, arms went numb, I felt as if I couldn't turn the cranks over and all I wanted to do was stop. I stopped at the side of the road and if it hadn't been for a conscious effort I think I would've fallen asleep! Rather shamefully I had to call on my wife for emergency chocolate.
croftsj said:
Could be, could be you're hypoglycaemic, see a quack just to be on the safe side.
I'm hypoglycaemic and you can drop to very low levels pretty quickly.Before it was diagnosed at school I would run the 800m and get dreadful migraines. 400m was fine but 2 laps would muller me.
t.zebedee said:
Sounds like
a) you should have eaten some carbs in the day, not just protein < good point.
b) you should sort your brakes out < tried, thought I had, hadn't.
c) you should get a road bike if you are doing 15 miles a day each way < got, at the menders hence the slightly knacky MTB.
edited to add
d) yes, rule 5 < noted.
Above.a) you should have eaten some carbs in the day, not just protein < good point.
b) you should sort your brakes out < tried, thought I had, hadn't.
c) you should get a road bike if you are doing 15 miles a day each way < got, at the menders hence the slightly knacky MTB.
edited to add
d) yes, rule 5 < noted.
I do crash without proper fuel, and known to get really sh*tty when hungry. Always suspected a diabetes thing going on, but never serious enough to see a Doc.
Every days a lesson!
I get this, but always called it a blood sugar drop, infact Type 1 Diabetics know its as a Hypo.
Wasn't until a colleague got diagnosed with T1 I bought myself a blood glucose tester and found out exactly how low I can send myself! Now I am aware of whats happening I eat constantly when I'm exercising to stop it.
When it happens I'm not always outside the tolerance of a normal person, I've had a hypo at 4.3 before now and that one scared me as I'd just eaten and hadn't doen anything to cause it! The lowest i've recorded is 1.8 and felt fine (although I was far from it!)
A tester is only about 12 quid, get one and monitor yourself is my recomendation. That way you know how your body responds to exercise. I always have mine on me when doing archery comps, as that seems to be the worst culprit of me dropping and going moody inc throwing all toys out of pram when I screw up!
Simon
Wasn't until a colleague got diagnosed with T1 I bought myself a blood glucose tester and found out exactly how low I can send myself! Now I am aware of whats happening I eat constantly when I'm exercising to stop it.
When it happens I'm not always outside the tolerance of a normal person, I've had a hypo at 4.3 before now and that one scared me as I'd just eaten and hadn't doen anything to cause it! The lowest i've recorded is 1.8 and felt fine (although I was far from it!)
A tester is only about 12 quid, get one and monitor yourself is my recomendation. That way you know how your body responds to exercise. I always have mine on me when doing archery comps, as that seems to be the worst culprit of me dropping and going moody inc throwing all toys out of pram when I screw up!
Simon
Always an interesting part of the ride when you start dreaming about food! Funnily enough it's always burgers that I crave.
Does sound like a bonk though, and as others have said it's key to make sure you eat plenty of carbs throughout the day, especially if you're riding 15 miles each way.
Does sound like a bonk though, and as others have said it's key to make sure you eat plenty of carbs throughout the day, especially if you're riding 15 miles each way.
Worth pointing out, I'm a fairly experience runner / cyclist / swimmer.
On a good day, cycling to work, swimming over lunch, cycling home then going for a run isn't, usually, such a huge effort! Although it probably sounds / reads more work than it is.
This is a new thing for me... Maybe I've just taken too much time off these last couple weeks?
On a good day, cycling to work, swimming over lunch, cycling home then going for a run isn't, usually, such a huge effort! Although it probably sounds / reads more work than it is.
This is a new thing for me... Maybe I've just taken too much time off these last couple weeks?
Might be worth keeping a tube of these in your bag? www.glucotabs.co.uk
They last forever and they are there if you ever need them. I often go away on business and I'll be sat in meetings for several hours not knowing if/when I'll get the chance to eat. One tab is enough to see me through.
They last forever and they are there if you ever need them. I often go away on business and I'll be sat in meetings for several hours not knowing if/when I'll get the chance to eat. One tab is enough to see me through.
just keep an eye on it, but if you say had a mild virus coming on and your lack of carbs and a tricky day at work, then every now and again you are going to have a struggle on the ride.
I had a massive drop of form on the turbo trainer for no real reason, but think it was a combination of over doing it and maybe coming down with something, took 2 weeks off and felt really strong when I got back on
I had a massive drop of form on the turbo trainer for no real reason, but think it was a combination of over doing it and maybe coming down with something, took 2 weeks off and felt really strong when I got back on
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