Sunday, August 28, 2011

Bonk

I had my first bonk the other day.  I had big plans to do a long run (9 miles) on Thursday night.  My sister-in-law arrived for a visit and then it rained so it didn't happen.  Friday I was not working so I figured I could do my long run from 8-10 a.m. while Sissy was at field hockey practice.  The weather was a little sticky and humid but high 60's so not too bad.  I dropped her off and headed out.  I felt great at first and had a good rate for the first 3 miles.  I was planning on 6, get a drink and head back out for 3 more, but I could barely make my legs move after 4.5.  I had to stop and walk.   I didn't have a drink with me so that kinda sucked.  I was so hot and tired and my legs felt like cinder blocks.  I got myself doing a slow run again back to the school to get a drink and rest in the car.  I managed 6, but just couldn't go any more. 

I couldn't really figure out what happened.  I have often felt tired or sore, but not heavy legs that can barely move.  What had I done wrong/differently?  After thinking about it a little, I remembered that I didn't eat dinner the night before.  I was really tired and not hungry so I went to bed early and didn't eat.  Hmmm.  I probably didn't have any fuel to draw from.  I also have a little bit of Mt. Dew in the morning and I didn't have that either.  Good lesson to learn.  Eat dinner the night before a long run!

I'm not sure how this 1/2 marathon thing is going to go.  I haven't done a run longer than 8 miles.  There isn't much time left.  Maybe November will have to be the first 1/2 marathon instead of October.  We'll see.

Ever bonked?

Do you have any nutrition advice for long runs?

Help me!

4 comments:

Lisa said...

Sorry to read about your bonk. Major bummer.

For me, I really try to stick with what works. I have more energy and don't get hungry mid-way thru my run if i have a boiled egg (white) with a 1/2 bagel. And dinner the night before is a must, for sure. Lately, I'm drinking more/better fluids before I need tham, and this training season has been my best ever.

So I think nutrition is a huge thing to nail down. Good luck!

Lisa said...

P.S. And don't give up! Only you know if you're ready, but a bonk is only 1 event. 8 miles is nothing to sneeze at, so you just might have time to recover, make any nutritional tweaks, and complete your race. Go get'em :)

Carla Pierce said...

Fuel and hydration! Both musts! Dinner the night before is a definite and then mornings of long runs I always eat either a bagel or whole wheat toast with peanut butter, plus depending on length of run bring gels with me and I always always have me my coffee:)) Water and/or gatorade (diluted for me)are definites too- I always make sure to have too much rather than not enough. The heat and humidity are what make me "heavy" feeling and no amount of crazy "head" talk can get me out of it. Low 70s here yesterday and the lowest humidity we have had in months and three of us went out and did 15. Best I have felt in a long time, but lots of fuelllll and then after the run the best tasting, cold chocolate milk ever!A bonk just means you are human and that you have to think ahead a bit more- plan! October should still be your goal! You are defintiely ready.

Christi said...

Yes, you must fuel and hydrate. Don't give up on October yet. You can make it work.