Stupid, stupid, stupid
My friend James and I were out for a ride one Sunday, oh, a couple of years ago now. We were just heading out, on the Cary Parkway. Admittedly, we were riding next to each other, which we shouldn’t have been. But it was Sunday morning; there wasn’t a whole lot of traffic, and it’s a four-lane road. This guy in an SUV comes roaring around us, and pulls into a parking lot , facing us. As we ride by, he rolls down his window and screams at us. ”Stupid, stupid, stupid!” And some other tidbits that probably wouldn’t make it through your spam filter. I got over it; if you ride enough, you get used to the occasional ear-splitting horn blast, or unmentionable expletive. It’s a standard joke at my house now.
But today I was really stupid, stupid, stupid. I did something I’ve never really done before: I bonked. It wasn’t a big bonk; just a tiny one, but I don’t care to repeat the experience. I rode the 50 mile loop of the Tour de Moore, in Moore County, NC. It’s a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser, and a great ride. Info is at http://www.sandhillscyclingclub.org. Moore County is horse country, and I got to see where my friend Amelia’s daughter rides in a Thanksgiving Day hunt, as well as stables and riding schools and horse farms galore. Later, we wound around through golf country, which is entertaining in a different sort of way. I had a long, lovely chat with Amelia, whom I don’t get to see often enough, since she lives in that area (it’s about an hour from where I live in Cary). She’s deep into her Ironman training right now, and is considerably stronger than I am on the bike, especially on the rolling hills down there. Her husband very gallantly pulled me up some hills, and I got to meet a number of their riding buddies from Rainbow Cycles, but I was having so much fun, and riding so far past my comfort zone, that I got totally distracted and didn’t eat or drink nearly enough. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I’m constantly preaching to Amelia about getting enough calories to go the distance. Apparently, I need to heed my own advice.
Around 40 miles I really started to feel bad–shaky and nauseated and pedalling through molasses. It was also INCREDIBLY humid and muggy. My head started drooping down; I know this because I remember watching the sweat drip onto my top tube, and thinking randomly that there was nothing I could do about it. I ate a gel, and just felt sicker. Finally we got to the last rest stop, at 42 miles. The rest of the folks I was with were feeling feisty, smelling lunch, but I had to stop. Phil, a very kind soul, offered to hang back and pull me up to the group if I was going to be quick at the stop, but I couldn’t face trying to keep up at that point. They rolled on. I ate a fig newton, and half a banana, and chatted with the volunteers for a few minutes, and then got back on the road.
After 8 or 10 minutes, the calories kicked in, and I felt much better heading into the last few miles. I also backed off a bit on the speed, and enjoyed the run into Southern Pines. All in all, I had a great time, but there was definitely a lesson to be learned. Five hours after the finish, I’m still feeling icky, and I have a terrible headache to boot. Apparently, 400 calories just won’t cut it for a 50 mile ride. Not for me, anyway.
September 4th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Hey Lisa – Don’t get too down on yourself. Everybody bonks now and then, and it so often happens just the way it happened to you – riding the next level up, with a stronger rider. The fact is, you couldn’t have gotten into that groove at all if you weren’t already a strong rider. And you rode hard for 80% of the distance. It wasn’t stupid, it was just a mistake, and you’re on top of it; you know what caused it and you won’t make it again soon. Here are a couple of things to consider:- Endurolyte gel caps from Hammergel. These are super lightweight and replace the electrolytes and sodium you’re burning through. One an hour on a normal day should do it. On a day like you had today – 3 an hour is more like it. – Keey your food handy. As you stretch out your rides, you’re going to find that you need to eat more and more, and you should try to keep your food in view and easy to get to. That’s why so many randos use handlebar bags; that, and also because you can add and remove layers without stopping.-The longer you ride the more you can expect that normal cycling food like bars and gel are going to taste bad. Think, instead, about getting your favorite snack foods on the bike with you, things you know you can get down after you’ve ridden 100, 150, 200, 250 miles. That’s what you’ll be doing at PBP. Good luck – thanks for linking to my site. I’ll see you in France – August 2007. dr
September 5th, 2006 at 2:36 am
You definitely helped me realize how important it is to eat and drink during long periods of exercise. IF I ever decide to do another marathon you will be my nutrition resource!! Enjoyed reading David’s feedback.
September 5th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
OK, so what’s a bonk?
September 5th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
I just figured it out- I was thinking the bonk was related to the first paragraph and kept looking for the connection there. I re-read and I see you bonked in your 50 mile ride when you didn’t take in enough calories! I’m a little slow.
September 9th, 2006 at 1:22 am
yes, we all know lisa southwick is a little slow. poor lisa.any more questions?