Over Extended.

I do this once or twice a year, mostly over a holiday. I call it over extended but it really is a bonk the size of a train wreck. This summers edition was especially bad with my limited food intake. Yesterdays ride, by itself, was not that tough. A few good size hills in the kettles did max me out but at the time I recovered just fine. The real culprit of this disaster was the two days prior.

Saturday had me on the B-ride as posted. Then I did my usual after dinner ride thru the park but it was so nice out I traveled a bit more than usual. Total ride time that day was over 5 hours between two rides. No biggie. Total mileage was around 80.

Then Sunday had me riding a 62 mile charity ride in the morning. About four easy hours with a few hills, then pounding out almost 2 more hours on the MTB in Greenbush (4th time in 7 days riding here). Estimated mileage around 70 with ride time over 5. Several good efforts in the woods. I was tired. Then over to Steve D's house for beer. Stayed up till 11, way past my bedtime.

So that bring us to Monday morn. I was tired as I threw my legs over the Madone but thought a bit of a easy warmup will get me going so I left the cabin and rode the 12 miles to the lot to meet the guys(and girl). For the most part things were just fine for 40 miles of the ride. But several good sized hills sure put a dent in what I had and when we stopped at a minimart to fuel up (meeting up with some cool girls, you know who you are), I grabbed a snickers and some Gateraide. That just is not what I needed on an empty stomach. After we pulled out of the mart I knew 5 miles in that my day was over. Power output was non existent and dropping fast.

At that point I was still 40 miles from home and was just waiting for the candy bar to digest. I knew I was in for a tough afternoon. I made the conscious decision to turn off the group at that point and take the straightest line home.

I was feeling really bad. Bmatter shoved a powershot down my throat before I turned for home. I was still smiling and nobody really knew how bad I was. I think Brian did tho. He mentioned Andrea was home and made sure I had a cell phone. I did.

So I turned off and headed for the cabin, at least 30 miles to go. Waiting for the sugar of the candybar and goo to hit my blood stream. It never has the chance. About 5 miles later I puked most of it up, it was not much, just kinda like a big burp. Now my stomach is again empty, felt sick and I hit the panic button.

Called Andrea but she was on her own ride. Left a message. Just keep pedaling. 20 miles to go I started losing my motor functions. All fluids gone. I had to make a huge effort just to maintain my balance. My body was doing all that it could to get me off the bike. Everything hurt. Real bad. Especially my stomach. I was down to 10 mph and did my best not to panic. At this point your brain go's into survival mode. I knew I was going to have to peddle all the way home as I had no one else to call.

I made it home. I bonked at mile 40 and rolled in with 74. I was sick and wasted. Ate an apple, limped into the shower, then to bed. I do not remember the last 10 miles.

How bad was I? Bmatter listened to the message on Andrea's phone when he got home and called 911. Really. I do not remember what I said but it scared him enough to make the call. At the time he was doing that I was almost home or just getting home. I did call them to let them know I was alive. He called 911 back to let them know all was well.

15 minutes later they showed up at my door with a homemade smoothie. And they later had me over for dinner to make sure I ate something. Thanks guys!

I realize that starving yourself is not the smart thing to do. But its the only way I know to run a calorie deficit. I knew there was a fine line between burning fat and bonking and I think I did a good job staying near but never going over it. Monday I crossed it. Way crossed. And I paid the price.

Its so hard to eat less when your riding more. In my defence, its way hard. Even when I do it right my riding suffers. I feel weak all the time. This was bound to happen sooner than later and I'm surprised it took this long.

I will always downplay the situation cuz I'm a bit embarrassed that I let it happen, but things could have gotten way worse than they did. I was lucky to make it home in the condition I was in. I'm surprised I didn't get hit by a car the way I was riding. My motor skills were shutting down and I was swerving more that a Cat 5 in a spring crit. And my senses were dulled to the point of not checking intersections. Just roll them slow.

It was a stupid thing, letting that happen to me. I hate it when I do stupid things. It makes me look stupid.

This morn I feel very tired but fine. Thanks to my good friends for taking care of me. They are the best.

I will not ride a bike today. And I will eat breakfast.

DLD