BigK75

Hey Guys:
.
Today I was on metric century (it was actually 108k) ride. It was my second one ever. The first 80K went great and generally I was feeling pretty good. The course was generally flat and I had an average of 29km/h. In the morning I eat a bagel had a coffee and my first gel pack before the ride. During the ride I kept drinking 2oz of water every 15 minutes and a gel pack every 45 minutes. We had a stop at 50k which I took to refill my gatoraide. At 70k we had a quick lunch which was half a Sub. At about 90K I serisouly thought that I am not going to make it. My legs were burning so bad that I had to stop and take a break for 10 minutes. It was the type of pain you get at the gym after doing too many leg presses. Needless to say the last 15Km were hell and I did not think I could finish. I ended up finishing and with an moving average of 28.4km/h. I went inside to refill my gatoraide and I was basically shaking. Even the lady by the water stand noticed that my hands were shaking like jelly and she mentioned I should get some fluids quickly. When I got to my car I just dropped and layed there for 10 minutes. On the way home in my car my legs were still hurting almost as much as the ride. I should also mention it was crazy hot today in Ontario rooghly around 33 degrees Celcius with no wind. So I am wondering what the hell happened to me? The last time I did a century it was much cooler but hillier and windier and I did not have the shaking I did this time. Any one have any thoughts????

Claude

jsutkeepspining

Maybe stop less. Think of it this way, for ever time you stop for more than 2 minutes your body will no longer be "warm" and ready to work.

10 Wheels

You should have gave it up a 90K.

John_V 

If you were well hydrated and also drank a lot of electrolytes, the problem could be hypokalemia (low potassium) or a sudden release of lactic acid. Both of these conditions cause cramps and muscle spasms. Did you have any bananas along the route while at the stops? You should also take along a quick recovery drink that you take during and after the ride. I use Hammer Perpetuem but there are other brands out there that are just as good and probably taste a little better.

If this happens again and you aren't too far from home when you get done, submerse yourself in a tub with hot water or let hot water run on your legs from a shower. This will help the muscles in your legs to relax. If the pain didn't feel like cramps or spasms and the pain is there for more than two days at the same or close to the same intensity, I would consult your doctor.

BigK75

Hi John_V:

You know that's what it might have been. There were bananas but I did not eat them. I stuck pretty much to eating the sub, gel packs and drinking Gatoraide. The other problem is I have Adldison's disease (very rare but not a problem if I take my medicine which I do) which causes all sorts of sodium and potassium problems if I am not careful with eating and taking my medication. I will ask my doctor what he thinks about it. Thanks for the advice.

Claude

hueyhoolihan

probably a combination of lactic acid buildup and glycogen depletion.

used to be called "overdoing it"...

jonathdo

Classic bonk