Training & Nutrition - I get headaches.

Sometimes after a ride I get headaches. Right in the middle of my forehead ice pick headaches. Is this because I'm not eating/drinking enough.

I mean sometimes I'll go out for a ride and not really feel the need to drink as frequently or eat much.

The worst thing that sometimes happens to me is I'll force myself to eat and drink but then feel bloated and full. So to avoid this, I try and pace my fuel up points like every 20ks or so.

Its a real pain in the butt, because I'll finish a ride and feel pretty tired but in a good way, however an hour later the headache sets in. :cry:

I'm not a medical doctor or anything close but, you need to drink before you actualy feel the need. You're body gives you the sensation you need to dirnk long after you actualy should have been drinking.

That much is true and that's my fault. I lack dicipline in that area. I'm pretty good at staying hydrated off the bike, like 4-5 litres of water per day. I wonder if its because of this, I don't feel thirsty until well into a ride. I mean, I'm not going to curb my water habits off the bike. So maybe I just need to kick myself in the arse and sip water or some electros right away while riding?

I actually got this solution from a comedy show- eat a little protein before your ride and see what happens- apparently, one of the people on the show was getting the same headaches, and the psychariast told her that it sounded like she needed to eat a little more protein before exercising, and it worked!

One of my students used to get headaches like that big time during spinning classes, and I suggested he eat a little more protein for breakfast on the days when he comes into class, and now he gets no headaches.

Try it, you got nothing to lose!

Koffee

Would a protien shake do the trick?

I use them when I diet down just before spring, so I still have some powder around the house.

By gosh its so simple it might just work!!!

Thanks.

Anything that's got more than the usual amount of protein- protein shake, protein heavy energy bar, a couple of eggs, a big 'ole glass of milk... whatever you think may work for you that you can easily eat in the mornings.

Let me know if it works. I swear, it worked for the guy I told to try it, and he was a big skeptic!

Koffee

stiffee_shane-

One thing I do, especially before strenuous rides, is take 2 aspirin before the ride. I wasn't getting bad headaches before, just minor ones, but now I don't get any headaches at all, even on the hottest of days. It thins out your blood a little bit, and I've found I actually have a bit more stamina. You might want to give that a try too :) .

Just another direction,,,,,,, does your helmet fit properly? If it is squeezing your head lightly, in the front and back, it can cause them as well. My motorcycle helmet gives them to me after long rides.

Another random thought - do you get headaches only when you ride in the sun? The sun can give you a headache after beating down on your head for less than an hour.

Being follicly challenged, I learned the hard way!