Training & Nutrition - Bonk?

Strange occurance! First let me say that I have been strugling to make riding time (family and work obligations), however, this experience came so soon in my Satruday morning ride that it took me by surprise.

The temperature was about 86 degrees. I rode about 10 miles over moderately hilly terain after eating a bowl of cerial about three hours earlier. The one item that may be our of joint was that I was going on four hours of sleep on Friday night (I usually get about six). When I hit mile 10, and the biggest hill of the ride, I got about 1/4 way up and had to stop. Rested for about three minutes, and finished the hill, stopping at the top for a Cliff bar and drank a fair amount of sports drink.

I then got on my bike to find that my legs were prety well gone, so I turned around and slogged my way home.

I am carefull to drink quite a bit when I ride (I sweat profusely when riding even in mild heat and humidity) and my sports drink includes carbs, potasium and salt. I carry three water bottles, one with sports drink, two with water. I go through one water bottle about every 10 miles.

Can someone suggest where I might have gone rong?

Lack of sleep doesn't help but come on. One bowel of cerial 3 hours before your ride just doesn't cut it as enough fuel to power a ride.

Regards, Anthony

Though one bowl of cerial is not enough for a long ride, this was after only ten miles. I do ten every morning first thing before work, without eating anyting (maybe a bananna).

I rode again today (after a good breakfast and pasta the night before) and was only a little better. Way overheated for the ambient temperature, however at about 90 degrees today the humidity was 50%. I stopped after 10 at a conveniece store just a mess.

I am thinking alergies or I am coming down with something. I was just wondering if anyone else had any similar expreiences.

You shouldn't be bonking after only 10 miles ... especially if you ate something before you headed out. Unless you've been on a severely restricted diet, you've got enough stored calories to see you through at least an hour or two out there.

You might be coming down with something. Take a day off, get lots of rest and fluids, eat well and give it another go the next day.

That's my plan...although rest?? Two kids, very active; there is no rest, only downtime!

Thanks for the input.

It is only my opinion but I belive very few people ever "bonk". Running out of energy due to lack of ability or sleep or any other factors are not the same as bonking. The gatorade ad with the ironman that colapses 50m from the finish line and can't even manage to get to his feet is a much better example of bonking. If you were able to take a quick breath and a swig of drink and keep going I think it was just being tired.

I was able to get home, though it was much slower than usual and just plain drudgery. Based on the fact that an intense burst of carbohydrates in the form of an energy bar did no make any significant difference, it must have been something else. I never get enough sleep which depresses the immune system and everything else. Perhaps the body had just had enough and finaly went on strike!

I intend to take some time and let the body and mind have some of what it needs.

Thanks

It is only my opinion but I belive very few people ever "bonk". Running out of energy due to lack of ability or sleep or any other factors are not the same as bonking. The gatorade ad with the ironman that colapses 50m from the finish line and can't even manage to get to his feet is a much better example of bonking. If you were able to take a quick breath and a swig of drink and keep going I think it was just being tired.

Eh, I don't know. I think that Gatorade example is more of a complete system shutdown than it is a bonk. I've bonked before, and it's more just a matter of your body making you slow down.... way down. However, I didn't have to crawl home or anything like that. Best thing I've found to do is to just stop, take an energy gel or two, drink some water, then ride again in about 15-20 minutes.

How is your salt intake? I've found I sweat a lot in hot weather and sweat out a lot more salt than most. Maybe you could try some electrolyte tablets if it's applicable.

Eh, I don't know. I think that Gatorade example is more of a complete system shutdown than it is a bonk. I've bonked before, and it's more just a matter of your body making you slow down.... way down. However, I didn't have to crawl home or anything like that. Best thing I've found to do is to just stop, take an energy gel or two, drink some water, then ride again in about 15-20 minutes.

Indeed, when you bonk you switch to fat and you can only maintain performance at about 1/2 your v02max.

I sweat a lot, but have not seen a need to increase my salt intake. I use sports driks with sodium and potassium. bpohl's discription is the symptom. The discription of slowing waaaay down is exactly what happened.

Watch the hummidity. For some reason, the hummidity, rather than the heat, takes a lot out of me this time of year.

BR

Consider getting a blood test. It might be something else (cholesterol?).

Consider getting a blood test. It might be something else (cholesterol?).

Or a blood glucose disorder.

Indeed, when you bonk you switch to fat and you can only maintain performance at about 1/2 your v02max.

fat and muscle... :( Bonking's not a good thing..