2ndGen

Have you ever met your limit in one day?

Has your body ever quit no matter how badly your mind & heart wanted to go on?

If so and you overcame that limit at another time, how did you do it?

roadiejorge 

1. No
2. My body quit but my mind didn't so I kept going
3. Assess whether the pain is due to an injury, if it isn't then I keep going until that pain threshold subsides. Never push yourself to the point you hurt yourself, but do push when it's to get over your current limitations.

Quel

Yes

Yes. Though my mind was pretty screwed up ta that point.

Food.

Bonking is a *****.

AngryScientist 

every. single. day.

calamarichris

Not yet, I'm too chicken.
Closest I've come so far was a 202 mile ride. Rode to Palm Springs & back. This was back when the Hadley's Date & Nut place was the only building along the road out there. I bonked and ran out of money, ended up grabbing some nasty-@$$ed, soggy nachos someone left on the outdoor picnic area. I wretched and dry-heaved a few times, but forced myself to eat that $#it. I can't even stand crappy nacho cheeze when it's fresh out of the glop-dispenser, but I was so desperate at that point I was scanning the road for any dead insects, chewing gum, or anything that might contain a calorie.
When I got home, I went straight to sleep on the doormat in the garage--too tired to shower and too filthy to enter the house.
Blacked out the next day after my shower and woke up on the kitchen floor in a pool of milk with my legs twitching.

milliron

Yes. Bonked while mountain biking in Georgia during the middle of the summer. Dizzy, threw up, couldn't see straight, etc. Had to lay down next to the trail for a bit. Then limped back to my car. Not good.

2ndGen

I came to a halt once. I won't even mention the mileage because the best guys here probably knock out where I stopped in an hour and a half.

Anyway, my legs cramped up to the point that I couldn't even stand up.
I didn't feel bad personally because it was the most mileage I'd put on in one run ever.
As I sat there thinking about limping to get a cab, I got mad at myself.
I hit the road without breakfast and ate the wrong food to make up for it 2 hours in (greasy deep fried food).
On top of that, I chased an amateur athlete for about 5 miles at full speed after putting in 25 miles already.
Mind you, all this after not having ridden for almost a month.

I got stupider (my word) and mounted my bike and kept going managing another 15 miles.
I was okay after that, but I couldn't go on to do the Century I had planned the next day
(which was kind of alright since I "got in" the last 60+ degree day of the year and
it rained all day the next day).

I realized that I needed to get smarter quicker because my riding had progressed to the point that I could seriously injure myself.
Today, I can easily throw on miles that I used to struggle at before and now hills and climbing is "fun".
But, I've come to the conclusion that I need to take what I'm doing more seriously.

I haven't reached that point that my body totally quit yet which leads me to believe that I'm not doing "enough" yet.

hopsing08

I thought I met my limit a couple times. But last summer I rode up to Lake Cuyamaca in San Diego from Lakeside...about a 70 mile ride or so. It was a beautiful day but on the way back I ran out of water and it got up to the mid 90's. I cracked with 10 miles to go. I was delirious and every push of the pedal was willed by my mind. (there is a really steep short section close to the end of the ride.) I dry heaved a couple times but kept going and when I got to the gas station I stepped off my bike and fell over. I still had to ride another 10 miles to my truck. I went home and ate as much pasta as I could and went to sleep. felt like crap for 2 days. It has never happened to me since and I think if I would have timed my hydration better and food, it wouldn't have happened.
Worst feeling I have ever felt beside Pneumonia that I had this last November.

It was a good learning experience though. I learned that nutrition IS important and that it is a science that I need to study to keep my body fueled.

2ndGen

The Bear Grylls of cycling!

2ndGen

Not mocking you, but that's frickin' awesome.

GirlAnachronism

Yes. Pretty much every time I do men's races. I want to keep accelerating but eventually I just cannot put out any more power and I get dropped. Depending on the race I wait until the next lap and jump back in. It hurts and it makes me stronger.

hopsing08

No worries. I posted it cause I knew there was a little comedy in it...Looking back. At the time I felt like my blood was jelly pumping through my veins. Not my brightest moment in cycling.

2ndGen

Actually, I like stories of people refusing to quit.
I have a lot of respect for those that bonk regardless of their athletic ability.
It shows that they've gone as far as they can go.

Nerull

joe_5700

No. I have read so much good information to drink before I am thirsty and eat before I am hungry. This has kept me out of trouble on 75 miles rides no matter how hot it is. This is a bit off the subject, but the most miserable and at the same time feeling great moments have been while racing.

adamrice 

Yes. Lots of times. I recall one ride vividly where a friend led me out on a longer ride than I had counted on. It was about 65 miles out and back and fairly hilly. We were most of the way home, about 12 miles to go, on an uphill, and my legs Just. Wouldn't. Turn. Had to get off and walk. That particular hill was one I'd ridden plenty of times, but that time, I didn't have enough left to climb it.

keisatsu

Yes, I bonked while out on an all day MTB ride. Started to feel dizzy on a climb, ignored it 'cause I wanted to reach the top before stopping. I passed out, not sure how long (I was alone), when I woke up I immediately puked and I couldn't stand, not to mention a few new bruises and scrapes from the fall. Finally got some food in me (grape nuts mixed with cheerios and honey).

Slowly rode back home, taught me to never again ignore the signs of bonking.

deacon mark

Not on bike but in 1989 end of a warm Chicago marathon. I ran the marathon in 3:22 should have been able to break 3:12 but 80 degrees in the sun last 6 miles. Ran the whole way no real wall but at the end I was done.

2ndGen

Know what's cool about that?

That when a professional and an amateur bonk, they're both equals.
One might crash after 125 miles in one day, the other after 12.5 miles in one day.
But both have pushed their bodies to the max and in that respect, both are equal.
Both experience the same voices in their heads and the battle between the heart, the mind and the body.

hopsing08

Its weird I picked up this habit in the Military. When we went on our long runs my mind would be like "dude, just stop...its not that big of a deal" I always have Mind fights. I usually tell myself to quit being a *****, or grab my stomach fat and say "If you listen to it, you will never lose this"

Jens Voigt is a beast.

2ndGen

Incorrect. It is totally on-topic.

2ndGen

When I did my first long run, I was sure I was going to get dropped.
But, I didn't. All the high school recruits were making fun of me as the "old man".
Those female dogs who were weezing and holding their sides didn't know what
hit them when I passed them in the 3rd mile and came in within the top 10.

Once I passed the pain threshold, I just became a machine and repeated every movement like a robot. I paced myself.
They went full speed ahead like they were charging into battle. Dummies...they were young, dumb and full of c**.
I held it for my last 2 miles, began to pass them in the 2nd to last mile and "then" unleashed The Kraken.

All the D.S.s were giving me props for showing up the kids and they didn't believe me that I had never run that far in my life.

eippo1

I've done this 3 times. Twice on the bike and once in rowing. The first time was a simple bonk where I fell asleep while resting at a gas station. Luckily, my riding friends were indoors getting some sugar. My HR average on that ride was 180 for 80 miles. Gah.

Next time was on an 80 mile training ride that involved the Kangamangus Highway and finished with an ascent up to Waterville Valley. I was lagging off the back, but it was my turn to lead, so I decided that it was going to hurt going slow or fast and so why not go fast. I ended up bringing up the pace a couple mph and getting accused of sandbagging, but I knew I was well past my limit.

Lastly, even though it was in college was when I was racing at the Dad Vail Regatta. We were in the final Freshman race and finished 2nd to Georgetown, but I remember everything going black in the last 20 seconds of that race due to lack of oxygen. About half the boat puked over the side after that race.

kleinboogie

Once. In Seattle back in 1993 I expected a 40 mile ride but a closed road and a big lake turned it into an 80 mile ride. Couple miles into the last 40 I bonked. Whole body was in pain and could barely walk. Back then I didn't know what electrolytes even were. Luckily-ish there was a 7-11 and I downed two Gatorades and a snickers. Waited 10 minutes and finished it. Worse day of my cycling life. Now it's usually just leg cramps or back pain that slows me down but that's because I'm big and old. I make sure I'm hydrated and have some electrolyte drink or gels to help out. GL

calamarichris

I love ze taste of blood in my mouse.