Bad ride--almost passed out!/2253 calories burned??

shorerider

Ok, so this morning I set out at 6:15am intending to go for a 30 mile ride. But it was so cool (only 70), I had plenty of water, and felt great, so I did the 30 and kept going.

Took a couple breaks--at 15 miles, I ate my South Beach meal bar.

At the 25 miles mark, I stopped in a little store and refilled my water, bought a HUGE blueberry muffin!, ate every bit and kept going.

I was hoping to make 60 miles today.

Got to the 47 mile mark, took a break, called hubby, was chilling out for few, and then all of sudden, I about passed out! I had spots in front of my eyes, legs went out from under me, I barely made it to the ditch to sit down.

Of course, I hadn't bought my test kit with me so I couldn't check my blood sugar levels. I didn't think I'd need it since originally I was only going 30 miles--DUMB MOVE! So I made it to the ditch and figured it had to be my levels down. So I chewed some glucose tablets (4 to be exact)--second big mistake!

Didn't feel better, so called DH for a pick-up and told him to bring my test kit with him. By the time he got there--20 minutes later--I was at 221 thanks to the glucose tablets :sick:

Now I really felt like crud.

And, I was starving!

According to my Polar F6, I had burned up 2253 calories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2253 freaking calories!

I had him stop at Burger King on way home I was SOOOOOOOOOOO hungry and got a Sourdough Bacon Cheeseburger. I could have eaten 10 of them! But I settled for 1 and ate that without the bread. I figured my BG level didn't need to go up anymore. Got a HUGE Diet Coke and sucked that up, too.

I'm feeling better now, but still have not urinated--so it is most likely I was dehydrated and it wasn't my BG levels.

My DH thinks I was dehyrdrated and didn't drink enough. But at the point where I almost passed out, I had drank 124 ounces of water, which is about a gallon. I had been riding for 4 hours at that point, and the temp. was 88.

It is possible I didn't drink enough--not sure if it was that or my levels since I didn't have my kit.

Either way, I'm frustrated. I can't seem to break that 52 mile mark I set a couple weeks ago.

And, it's so hard to keep my levels straight when I'm riding long miles like this---I'm just so over this diabetes!

Plus, I can't believe I burned up 2253 calories! Can that even be right???? that is definitely a new record for me.

Even with the BK burger, the muffin, and the South Beach Bar, I've still got over 1800 calories to eat today. :sick:

shorerider

Ok, so this morning I set out at 6:15am intending to go for a 30 mile ride. But it was so cool (only 70), I had plenty of water, and felt great, so I did the 30 and kept going.

Took a couple breaks--at 15 miles, I ate my South Beach meal bar.

At the 25 miles mark, I stopped in a little store and refilled my water, bought a HUGE blueberry muffin!, ate every bit and kept going.

I was hoping to make 60 miles today.

Got to the 47 mile mark, took a break, called hubby, was chilling out for few, and then all of sudden, I about passed out! I had spots in front of my eyes, legs went out from under me, I barely made it to the ditch to sit down.

Of course, I hadn't bought my test kit with me so I couldn't check my blood sugar levels. I didn't think I'd need it since originally I was only going 30 miles--DUMB MOVE! So I made it to the ditch and figured it had to be my levels down. So I chewed some glucose tablets (4 to be exact)--second big mistake!

Didn't feel better, so called DH for a pick-up and told him to bring my test kit with him. By the time he got there--20 minutes later--I was at 221 thanks to the glucose tablets :sick:

Now I really felt like crud.

And, I was starving!

According to my Polar F6, I had burned up 2253 calories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2253 freaking calories!

I had him stop at Burger King on way home I was SOOOOOOOOOOO hungry and got a Sourdough Bacon Cheeseburger. I could have eaten 10 of them! But I settled for 1 and ate that without the bread. I figured my BG level didn't need to go up anymore. Got a HUGE Diet Coke and sucked that up, too.

I'm feeling better now, but still have not urinated--so it is most likely I was dehydrated and it wasn't my BG levels.

My DH thinks I was dehyrdrated and didn't drink enough. But at the point where I almost passed out, I had drank 124 ounces of water, which is about a gallon. I had been riding for 4 hours at that point, and the temp. was 88.

It is possible I didn't drink enough--not sure if it was that or my levels since I didn't have my kit.

Either way, I'm frustrated. I can't seem to break that 52 mile mark I set a couple weeks ago.

And, it's so hard to keep my levels straight when I'm riding long miles like this---I'm just so over this diabetes!

Plus, I can't believe I burned up 2253 calories! Can that even be right???? that is definitely a new record for me.

Even with the BK burger, the muffin, and the South Beach Bar, I've still got over 1800 calories to eat today. :sick:

lina1131

Dude, that's a lot of miles. Awesome job for getting that far! :flowerforyou:

Your body probably just freaked out from losing that many calories. Honestly, I have no idea, but great job on getting as far as you got!

bleachcse

All I can say is WOW. I can't help but think you're a bit nuts, lol. I couldn't even bike 5 miles without falling over.

tanzmamma

WOW that's a LONG ride!

I'm glad you're ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tech_sarah

I'd say the HRM was right. I dont know how much you weigh, but when I ride 34 miles I burn @ 1600 calories... Good job

shorerider

This was my first long ride with my Polar, so I'm a little leery. It had me burning a little over 1300 for a 21 mile ride I did the other day, so that works out about right. My old HRM put me at 1800 or so for a 52 miles ride I did but I found out later it was broke!

jamdblake4

I'm new to MFP so I'm going to ask some question. Do you belong to a bike club. with all the mile you put in you need to eat better. A muffen was not the right food I don't think, you need slower burning carbs and protien. If I hit the gym for more then 2 hours I have shank with me sometime 2 shakes.
You didn't feel hungry? while you where riding?
Whan I started out on my bodybuilding quest I talked to some guy who have competed about what to eat how to workout I still talk to those guy.
All that being said 2253 frecking calories great work!!!!!!!!! hang in there you'll break through 52 mile just next time plan to go 53 mile and know when to stop.

Javancub

My fiance is diabetic and i know that when we go for our 7 mile walks, he tends to get low. I'm sure it has alot to do with the fact that your burning alot of calories (and sugar) You might also need electrolites which helps keep your body hydrated. Water alone might not be enough with the amount of exercise that your doing. I hope this helps.

shorerider

jamdblake4--

No bike club around me, plus I like to cycle alone, so always go by myself. No where near fast enough to keep up with others either. All I've got is a Raleigh Hybrid, so manage about 12.5 mph average and that's about it.

Yeah, the muffin wasn't probably great--but it looked so good! I figured the South Beach Meal Bar would have helped me some, too. And, I knew I need something else to eat at that point and like I said, they looked great! Homemade on the spot right there in the store!

Plus, I think I really need to get some sugar-free sports drink of some kind. I know they make them but I can't find them in my area.

No hunger while riding--I ate the bar and muffin because I knew I needed to eat something. I had a good breakfast before I left home. Now I'm still hungry--going grab a PB sandwich here in a bit I think.

lotusfromthemud

I try to avoid sugary drinks, and I've been using "Emergen-C" packets in my water during my two hour gym sessions. It helps with the electrolyte imbalance. I don't think there's any (or much) sugar in them. I've even seen them at Wal-Mart. I love them.

My doctor told me that actually drinking too much plain water during exercise can lead to dehydration (apparently your body just can't utilize it quick enough? I'm not quite sure).

Also, there's a bottled water called "smart water" that contains electrolyte minerals I drink because gatorade just seems like Kool-aid to me.

Glad you're OK. . .thank goodness for cellphones.

shorerider

Glad you're OK. . .thank goodness for cellphones.

Got that right! And thank God I was in an area where mine actually got a signal! Not too many areas where mine works out in the 'sticks'.

Anyway, I've drank about 70 ounces of water since being home, and just now urinated. And, my BG levels had plummeted, so am eating a big sandwich and still scratching my head as to if it was BG levels or dehydration but am leaning towards thinking it was little of both.

I also keep my sodium levels below 1600 a day, so am wondering if that makes me more susceptible to needing some kind of electrolyte replacement? Anyone know?

Lessons learned

--drink more water on rides!
--always take my test kit (DUMB DUMB DUMB move there!)
--got something better to eat than a Blueberry muffin!
--got some kind of something with some electrolytes!

lotusfromthemud

Glad you're OK. . .thank goodness for cellphones.

I also keep my sodium levels below 1600 a day, so am wondering if that makes me more susceptible to needing some kind of electrolyte replacement? Anyone know?

I have a condition where I dehydrate easily and my doctor specifically tells me to NOT restrict my sodium. I'm not sure how that applies to heavy exercisers. . .but now I'm curious. I find that I really have to have not just plain water.

check out this article I found:

http://www.ultracycling.com/nutrition/hyponatremia2.html

shorerider

VivaKay! Thanks for the tip on the Emergent-C. I checked it out on Amazon.com and it is sugar-free! I ordered a box of 36 packs. It will be here in 2 days. !!

:drinker: :drinker:

Phoenix_Rising

My doctor told me that actually drinking too much plain water during exercise can lead to dehydration (apparently your body just can't utilize it quick enough? I'm not quite sure).

There is such a thing as overhydrating. (This comment has nothing to do with the following info however.)


My husband had a heat stroke during an Army ruck march a few years back. He was drinking all the water he was supposed to, but like you referenced, his cells simply couldn't absorb anymore, which became quickly evident when he began vomiting water.

I was wondering about your core temp when I read this the first time through. Even though it wasn't blazing hot outside, could you have overheated? Dehydration is followed by heat injury (muscle cramps), heat exhaustion, and finally heat stroke. You can jump steps. Maybe you were experiencing heat exhaustion?

If in fact you could have been experiencing heat exhaustion, you may want to get to a doctor and fairly quick. They kept my hubby in the hospital for over a week, checking levels of some-enzyme-I-cannot-remember in his blood. The enzymes indicated the level of kidney and liver damage. They were hoping to (and did) see the levels drop daily as his body began to heal and repair.

shorerider

I was wondering about your core temp when I read this the first time through. Even though it wasn't blazing hot outside, could you have overheated? Dehydration is followed by heat injury (muscle cramps), heat exhaustion, and finally heat stroke. You can jump steps. Maybe you were experiencing heat exhaustion?

Could be---not sure. I had not been able to get my HR to come down for about 30 mins. prior to this--it was hovering around 155-160--even though I had dropped my pace to 9mph from 12.5.

My DH had just said something about core temp., too! Spooky!

I know I still have a lot to lose yet and maybe it is just too much to push it when it's this hot out. But dang it! I want to make that 60 mile mark! But I want to be alive when I do it, too!

PrincessLaundry

Hey girlie!!! I am glad you are feeling better and were able to call your DH! So maybe if you are having a tough time hitting past 50 miles, your body is telling you something. Maybe do some resting or lighter rides and start training for a push in a month or so when it cools? I donno...But keep up the great work, drink lots of water and don't push too much!

MontanaGirl

Hey - glad you're o.k.!! Also - Gatorade has come out with what they call "G2" it is low calorie and low sugar - don't know if sugar free. I like it when we're out fencing or working in the heat. And if Wally World here in Billings has it, it's bound to be everywhere else. I think only Wyoming and Alaska are behind us on getting new stuff! lol - may be worth a try anyhow!

ali106

(((((((((((((Shore))))))))))))))) so glad you're okay girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

and your rides are amazing as is...wow!!! I am happy you're making a new habit of taking that test w/ you no matter what your good intentions are.....hugs and I third that one...thank God for cell phones!

hugs!
Ali :drinker:

Lavendersunday

Shorerider...I hope you are keeping a diary of your rides...maybe with a pic of something different you see each time you ride. I always find it inspiring to read your posts detailing your progress and a good story about the ditch doesn't hurt either!!

I am happy to know that you my friend are OK... you biking warrior!

~Namaste :flowerforyou:

~Mi

shorerider

Shorerider...I hope you are keeping a diary of your rides...maybe with a pic of something different you see each time you ride. I always find it inspiring to read your posts detailing your progress and a good story about the ditch doesn't hurt either!!

I am happy to know that you my friend are OK... you biking warrior!

~Namaste :flowerforyou:

~Mi

HA! I'll have to take and post a picture of "The Ditch where I almost fainted"!! That would be funny! :laugh:

iluvsparkles

i just have to say that i am so proud of you! I cant even imagine riding for four hours! I am glad you are feeling better now, but keep us updated..because i want to make sure it doesn't happen again!

ohthatbambi

Sounds a lot scary.

When I rode 58 miles this weekend, had on my f6. We were gone 4 hours and 45 minutes and I burned almost 2600. So your calorie burn is probably accurate.

We started out at 5:30, but by the time we got home it was so DANG HOT. The last 20 miles were almost unbearable and it took me several hours to feel better. The heat can be very dangerous. I feel like the heat was mostly the reason I felt so bad.

I am looking forward to fall when I can ride without fear of heatstroke.

shorerider

I am looking forward to fall when I can ride without fear of heatstroke.

I'm with you on that!

Here's to fall! :drinker:

bellmom627

Dude, your blood sugar is going to spike a little with the glucose - my brother is a type 1 diabetic and has been since age 9 and we're very close. You were still hungry because of the low , and then your body tries to compensate and you go high. It's a pain in the butt but that's how it is with my little bro too - he's 22 now. He's had seizures and stuff and after a severe low he always goes high for awhile. You need to eat more on your ride. My husband has been cycling a while and just finished 175 weekend of cycling last weekend. He has a full meal break during a 60 mile ride. He eats a protein bar at 15, takes gatorade and lots of water with him. I meet him to refill the water and gatorade at 30 miles and bring him a cheese sandwich and banana. At 45 he has another protein bar. When he gets back from the 60 he eats a full meal of starchy stuff to get his carbs back up. Eat eat eat!!!!

stschulz

Shore I worry about you! Too often now that I read reports like this from you!

P L E A S E be carefull! Riding these long distances is not just a matter of fitness. You need to learn a lot about nutrition and especially how YOU respond to different foods. There is a lot more to it than just being fit. A lot!

As to calories burned, that sounds about right. But: make sure if you do these long rides that you take it very very easy in the beginning. Set your HRM display on a percentage and not a number and check frequently that you do NOT go past 70 to 75 percent of you max HR. You should not even be breathing faster. That will tell you that you are taking it easy enough.

Drinking: general rule is 1 cup fluid every 15 minutes. Especially in this heat you need to stick to it religously. I check my watch and if I "forgot" take a sip. Every 15 min! I know one of my bottles will last about 90 minutes. If after that time I still have fluid in there I know I did not drink enough.

Lessons learned

--got some kind of something with some electrolytes!

I hope you are not telling us that all the time you were riding without electrolytes!!!!!!!
If that is the case please allow me a friendly kick in your butt!!!!

Every trip (EVERY!!!) beyond one hour, you NEED to drink Gatorade or what ever your favorite brand is. Or take other supplements. But never ever just ride with only plain water lady!!!!

Knowing your recent "history" in terms of milage, I suspect that the fact that you can not pass a certain milage mark has nothing to do with fitness but has a lot to do with either blodd sugars or nutrition or hydration or all three of them.

So: don't get fristrated because you can't pass a certain goal. I know you are. But let it go. Find out what it is that makes you react like this by process of elimination. Take electrolytes with you, drink and eat enough and check while you ride your blood glucose. I expect that pretty soon you'll know what really causes this.

Take care

Phoenix_Rising

Eat eat eat!!!!

This makes me hungry :grumble:

2day4ever

So glad you are okay. Whew! Thank you for sharing your story so that we can all learn and be aware.

re: the electrolyte issue. Yes. You can over-hydrate, particularly if you are not consuming enough sodium (which makes your cells hold onto water). Too much water with too little sodium can lead to hyponatremia which can make you really sick . . . So, you might want to ask your doc about how to level it out for you (esp with blood sugar issues, too). In the end, it might just mean keeping a log (like the MFP food diary notes) where you track what your numbers are and how you feel . . . You can't test your numbers for sodium levels (that is on a blood test only) but you can gage your dietary sodium, your water intake, and your physical response.

Best wishes to you, Shorerider! Great job on the distance travelled. Safter journeys next time.:flowerforyou:

shorerider

Shore I worry about you! Too often now that I read reports like this from you!

P L E A S E be carefull! Riding these long distances is not just a matter of fitness. You need to learn a lot about nutrition and especially how YOU respond to different foods. There is a lot more to it than just being fit. A lot!

As to calories burned, that sounds about right. But: make sure if you do these long rides that you take it very very easy in the beginning. Set your HRM display on a percentage and not a number and check frequently that you do NOT go past 70 to 75 percent of you max HR. You should not even be breathing faster. That will tell you that you are taking it easy enough.

Drinking: general rule is 1 cup fluid every 15 minutes. Especially in this heat you need to stick to it religously. I check my watch and if I "forgot" take a sip. Every 15 min! I know one of my bottles will last about 90 minutes. If after that time I still have fluid in there I know I did not drink enough.

Lessons learned

--got some kind of something with some electrolytes!

I hope you are not telling us that all the time you were riding without electrolytes!!!!!!!
If that is the case please allow me a friendly kick in your butt!!!!

Every trip (EVERY!!!) beyond one hour, you NEED to drink Gatorade or what ever your favorite brand is. Or take other supplements. But never ever just ride with only plain water lady!!!!

Knowing your recent "history" in terms of milage, I suspect that the fact that you can not pass a certain milage mark has nothing to do with fitness but has a lot to do with either blodd sugars or nutrition or hydration or all three of them.

So: don't get fristrated because you can't pass a certain goal. I know you are. But let it go. Find out what it is that makes you react like this by process of elimination. Take electrolytes with you, drink and eat enough and check while you ride your blood glucose. I expect that pretty soon you'll know what really causes this.

Take care

Electrolyte mix is on order and will be here in 2 days! Yea! I haven't drank them before because they are so very high usually in sugar.

I've been sipping water every 10 minutes (read that on a biking site), so thought I had enough hydration. Guess not :blushing:

What's frustrating is that now with a HRM that actually works, I can't go over about 12.5 without pushing my HR up beyond a "safe" level. And, at that speed, it just takes FOREVER to go any distance!

I told my DH today that I desparately need a road bike. The guy at the bike shop Saturday estimated that I could get up to 5 mph increase over the bike I have now! I bought my Hybrid at that shop, so he knows exactly what I've been pushing. 5 mph more! WOW!

I think my Hybrid is just too much for me to push long distances at this point in time given my heavy weight and physical conditioning right now.

I want to go the long distances and can't! NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR!


Oh, and thanks everyone for y'alls concerns! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

I think I'll be in the gym tomorrow though instead of on the road--supposed to continue with the heat here.

CrystalBella

omg! I'm glad you are okay, Shore! Drink lots of water and get tons of rest!

stschulz

What does " I can't go over 12.5" mean?

If it is a 12.5 average than that's pretty darn good. That is what you should look at: average speed.
I ride an average of about 12-13 mph on these long distances. Sometimes less.

Besides right now it really does not matter how fast you go. Build a base, go the distance, then work mon speed.

Yes, with the long distances it makes a difference 'cause you'll ride a litle longer. So what?

YOU W I L L GET THERE!