getting hypoglycemic during mountain biking

[brainhulk]

my stamina has been slowling getting better for my mb runs and I'm able to push harder for longer periods of time. last two trips i've noticed my body getting weak and I had to resort to consuming granola bars which help for about 30 minutes, then I'm back to to the weak feeling.

what do you guys suggest I do to prevent this? Eat lots of carbs the night before?

 

[OverVolt]

Protein actually. Your body produces the glucose it needs from the citric acid cycle from Acetyl-CoA when you burn too much and get hypoglycemic. Your body can get Acetyl-CoA from protein metabolism. So its likely a shortage of protein and not carbs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle#Major_metabolic_pathways_converging_on_the_TCA_cycle

May also have to do with the types of fat you eat.

Trail mix is trail mix for a reason :awe:

Protein + Sugar would be a much bigger and sustained boost to your energy.

 

[tcsenter]

Protein + healthy fats would be a much bigger and sustained boost to your energy.

FTFY

 

[FleshLight]

Gu

 

[DCal430]

my stamina has been slowling getting better for my mb runs and I'm able to push harder for longer periods of time. last two trips i've noticed my body getting weak and I had to resort to consuming granola bars which help for about 30 minutes, then I'm back to to the weak feeling.

what do you guys suggest I do to prevent this? Eat lots of carbs the night before?

I believe hypoglycemia after exercising is a sign of adrenal insufficiency syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition.

 

[disappoint]

Preventing Exercise-Induced Hypoglycemia
According to Dr. Trent Stellingwerff, Ph.D., 30 percent of athletes have reactive hypoglycemia. Counteracting that can be done with some simple recommendations. If symptoms are only occurring sporadically, the following tips may help. If you are experiencing it more frequently, a doctor and nutritionist should be consulted.

• Don't drink sugar-based drinks or eat anything sugary a couple of hours before exercising. Instead, have whole grains and protein.
• Sports drinks during exercise or training that will last longer than 20 minutes will keep blood glucose readings maintained instead of dipping in concentration.
• If you haven't eaten within four hours of the exercise or training, do not train.
• Reactive hypoglycemia can be the result of over training as well, so keep it in moderation.
• Do not exercise or train within 48 hours of a hypoglycemia flare-up.
• Late night exercising drops blood sugar more than early morning or afternoon, according to one study, so keep in mind when you are going to train.

http://voices.yahoo.com/exercise-induced-reactive-hypoglycemia-to-11307494.html

 

[olds]

If only we had a Health and Fitness Forum.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

you are probably an undiagnosed pre-diabetc or diabetic.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/30101-can-diabetes-make-faint/

 

[rudeguy]

you are probably an undiagnosed pre-diabetc or diabetic.

I believe hypoglycemia after exercising is a sign of adrenal insufficiency syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition.

Holy shit you two are morons.

OP: protein is your friend. I'm also a fan of fiber. Make yourself a yummy shake with the powdered protein of your choice and the unflavored fiber powder.

 

[Dirigible]

I got no idea on the hypoglycemic thing.


But more importantly: what bike you riding?

 

[brainhulk]

Holy shit you two are morons.

OP: protein is your friend. I'm also a fan of fiber. Make yourself a yummy shake with the powdered protein of your choice and the unflavored fiber powder.

When do you suggest I load up? The night before or as a pre-run meal?

I got no idea on the hypoglycemic thing.


But more importantly: what bike you riding?

I have 2011 carbon gt with a talas fork and a rp23.

 

[rudeguy]

When do you suggest I load up? The night before or as a pre-run meal?


I have 2011 carbon gt with a talas fork and a rp23.

Disclaimer: I stopped working out when my wrists and knee got too bad to lift anything.



For me, an hour before worked best. I have a big problem with going hypoglycemic though. I'll crash just sitting in a chair at work. I'm sure there is some $20/shot thing you can use while you bike but I'm cheap. The fiber was the biggest part for me. It really helps regulate my blood sugar and keep me from crashing. Plus it makes me poop good!

 

[JulesMaximus]

my stamina has been slowling getting better for my mb runs and I'm able to push harder for longer periods of time. last two trips i've noticed my body getting weak and I had to resort to consuming granola bars which help for about 30 minutes, then I'm back to to the weak feeling.

what do you guys suggest I do to prevent this? Eat lots of carbs the night before?

How many miles? I've ridden a century (100 miles) and you have to eat and drink almost constantly on the bike and I prepared for months in training rides and tapered my riding for a week prior to the ride. No booze during that week and I carb'd up the night before the ride. I had no trouble completing it.

There are multiple things you could be doing wrong. So much more detail you are leaving out of your post, what are you eating, what is your weight, what kind of distance do you ride, how long have you been riding, what is your age, do you drink alcohol, also, do you have any history of diabetes or getting hypoglycemic during a ride in the past?

Edit-For some excellent tips on riding longer distances, training, and bicycling in general I'd recommend joining bikeforums.net. Generally a good group of people, I've met up with some of them and done some group rides over the years. Lots of good information to be had there from road racing to vintage bikes to mtb and commuting.

 

[Dirigible]

I have 2011 carbon gt with a talas fork and a rp23.

Sweet.

 

[episodic]

How many miles? I've ridden a century (100 miles) and you have to eat and drink almost constantly on the bike and I prepared for months in training rides and tapered my riding for a week prior to the ride. No booze during that week and I carb'd up the night before the ride. I had no trouble completing it.

There are multiple things you could be doing wrong. So much more detail you are leaving out of your post, what are you eating, what is your weight, what kind of distance do you ride, how long have you been riding, what is your age, do you drink alcohol, also, do you have any history of diabetes or getting hypoglycemic during a ride in the past?

Edit-For some excellent tips on riding longer distances, training, and bicycling in general I'd recommend joining bikeforums.net. Generally a good group of people, I've met up with some of them and done some group rides over the years. Lots of good information to be had there from road racing to vintage bikes to mtb and commuting.

As a fellow century rider and double century rider, he speaks the truth.

 

[brainhulk]

How many miles? I've ridden a century (100 miles) and you have to eat and drink almost constantly on the bike and I prepared for months in training rides and tapered my riding for a week prior to the ride. No booze during that week and I carb'd up the night before the ride. I had no trouble completing it.

There are multiple things you could be doing wrong. So much more detail you are leaving out of your post, what are you eating, what is your weight, what kind of distance do you ride, how long have you been riding, what is your age, do you drink alcohol, also, do you have any history of diabetes or getting hypoglycemic during a ride in the past?

Edit-For some excellent tips on riding longer distances, training, and bicycling in general I'd recommend joining bikeforums.net. Generally a good group of people, I've met up with some of them and done some group rides over the years. Lots of good information to be had there from road racing to vintage bikes to mtb and commuting.

i don't pay attention to what i eat really...lol. I ususally just eat cereal before my weekend run (my difficult run is on the weekend and I do a mild run once or twice in the middle of the week). I weigh 175 lbs. My runs range from 12-17 miles on uphill mountain trails (and then the gnarly downhills as the prize). I've been riding for 6 months. 35 years old. I drink a glass of wine or a beer a day sometimes. No diabetes. And the last 2 runs have been the first time i've experienced this. The beginning of my runs feel like I have infinite energy and then an hour into it my body feels week fairly abruptly

 

[OBLAMA2009]

youre concerned that you get tired after an hour of exercising????

 

[episodic]

Climbing on a mountain trail with a heavy mountain bike for over an hour uses a ton of energy. On a flat road with a road bike you burn like 30 cal per mile (avg number depending on weight). I would not be shocked if it were double that climbing on a mountain trail.

 

[brainhulk]

youre concerned that you get tired after an hour of exercising????

i'm not tired, it's hypoglycemia i think. after I eat the bar, i'm good to go again.

 

[disappoint]

i'm not tired, it's hypoglycemia i think. after I eat the bar, i'm good to go again.

You think? How about getting a glucose meter from the pharmacy? Mine was only about $15. It's good to be sure rather than guessing. I'm not a diabetic but I got one anyway just because I wanted to know for sure why I was feeling tired. You're not afraid of a little finger prick are you? You don't even need a bandage the bleeding stops almost immediately unless you're on blood thinners or something and I don't feel any pain from it after the initial pin prick which is nothing.

 

[JulesMaximus]

i don't pay attention to what i eat really...lol. I ususally just eat cereal before my weekend run (my difficult run is on the weekend and I do a mild run once or twice in the middle of the week). I weigh 175 lbs. My runs range from 12-17 miles on uphill mountain trails (and then the gnarly downhills as the prize). I've been riding for 6 months. 35 years old. I drink a glass of wine or a beer a day sometimes. No diabetes. And the last 2 runs have been the first time i've experienced this. The beginning of my runs feel like I have infinite energy and then an hour into it my body feels week fairly abruptly

What do you drink on these rides? I like Cytomax and Cliff gel shots for a little quick energy and to replenish lost electrolytes. Gatorade upsets my stomach on the bike for some reason so I get the Cytomax powdered drink mix and just mix it with water. You should always have at least one water bottle of full of water at the very least on a ride and make sure you drink most of it.

Nutrition is VERY important on a long bike ride. Still, I'd talk to your doctor just to make sure there isn't some underlying medical issue.

 

[Dirigible]

You bonking? Or something else?

For me, eating carbs and protein the night before and a Clif bar or something an hour before riding works out. But only up to about a two hour ride max. On an eight hour ride I'm constantly eating snacks and drinking.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You bonking? Or something else?

For me, eating carbs and protein and a Clif bar or something an hour before riding works out. But only up to about a two hour ride max. On an eight hour ride I'm constantly eating snacks and drinking.

On a 12-17 mile ride I doubt he is experiencing a bonk.

 

[Dirigible]

It's happened to me.

 

[brainhulk]

What do you drink on these rides? I like Cytomax and Cliff gel shots for a little quick energy and to replenish lost electrolytes. Gatorade upsets my stomach on the bike for some reason so I get the Cytomax powdered drink mix and just mix it with water. You should always have at least one water bottle of full of water at the very least on a ride and make sure you drink most of it.

Nutrition is VERY important on a long bike ride. Still, I'd talk to your doctor just to make sure there isn't some underlying medical issue.

All I drink is water

You bonking? Or something else?

For me, eating carbs and protein the night before and a Clif bar or something an hour before riding works out. But only up to about a two hour ride max. On an eight hour ride I'm constantly eating snacks and drinking.

Im gonna try this and Jule's electrolyte suggestion and go from there. Hopefully its just me not eating enough and not replacing electrolytes and not something else.