Bonking while exercising?

[justin]

So I ran into my first disappointment with my current diet two days last week.
I am an avid mountain biker and regularly ride long, technical rides with lots of up/down sections.

I have found that after 2 hours or so, I am completely out of energy for the climbs. My thighs burn like they did years ago when I started biking and I am forced to push my way up the hill, so I know that they are starving for something.

I drink plenty of water and make sure to eat/drink fruit within a few hours before the ride. I usually take along a LARABAR for the ride to ensure that I have enough go to finish the ride, but this time, it didn't matter.

I have researched the green smoothie rollups on here as well as perusing some of the other threads, but I am still at a loss. I suppose that I shouldn't be too frustrated, I am sure there is a bit of trial and error, but when something conflicts with my passion for biking (which I don't get enough of as of late), it often comes to an end.

Can anyone here help me with their solution to bonking?

[Colorawdo girl]

When you GET what it is you are committed to and why, as in,a powerful why you are doing it,nothing will stop you.

[justin]

When you GET what it is you are committed to and why, as in,a powerful why you are doing it,nothing will stop you.


Oh, I know why I love riding, no question there! ;)

In all seriousness, I see where you were going with that.
Keep in mind that:
1. I am not a mouth-breathing dolt.
2. Commitment/will power isn't a problem, I have fasted for 7 days before.
3. I have been an avid cyclist for a decade.

I will find a way to make it work, the why isn't the problem, I was just asking for guidance (not quitting).

When I had other habits that interfered with my interests in cycling, they were moved aside. My long term dietary and physical goals are in line with both RAW and cycling, those were not!

Off to ride my bike!

[RaeVynn]

More greens. Maybe some denser, dehydrated foods, too. Nuts, seeds, dried fruits, sea vegetables. Get more greens in you, though, definitely!

Maybe try working your way to taking wheatgrass shots before a ride. I know when I have wheatgrass juice straight, I am WIRED for several hours!

[rawchic]

I'm a big mountain biker too! Do you carry a pack with you? Or do you just put the bar in your pocket? I carry a Camelback on my long rides. In addition to Larabars...you could pack dates, bananas, raw grawnola, raw nuts & dried fruit, cut veggies...really the possibilities are endless if you have a pack. I personally like dates & bananas because they are high in calories and give me some sugar. This weekend I put dates & bananas in my food processor with some sprouted buckwheat and flax seeds. Then I dehydrated that into bars. You could do something similar with soaked oats and raisins...make something like an oatmeal raisin cookie.

[glamazon]

Well I'm no EXPERT but ahhhh as you know, your body is made up of millions of cells and you are now feeding them better with RAW so in a way they are RENEWED and everything IS NEW to the renewed...you picking up what I'm putting down??!!

So IMO yes, you have been an avid biker with your OLD body and IT was used to it...now due to your RAW adventure its NEW. You even said "it felt how it did when you first started" technically it is just starting...get it?? Hey it sounds good to me but I'm a self-proclaimed wack-a-dooo :p

[klomasius]

Hmmm, Justin, you're new to raw yes?

I found that in the first couple of weeks my endurance went down a little, I think it might have been my body dealing with a whole bunch of transition issues. It returned with a vengeance later on.

But I didn't do any hardcore exercise though, so can't comment on the biking thing.

Just wondering if your body is doing the same thing, taking on a bunch of detox/transition issues at once and directing effort elsewhere for the time being.

[justin]

More greens. Maybe some denser, dehydrated foods, too. Nuts, seeds, dried fruits, sea vegetables. Get more greens in you, though, definitely!

Maybe try working your way to taking wheatgrass shots before a ride. I know when I have wheatgrass juice straight, I am WIRED for several hours!


Good point. I think you are on to something with the greens - since it was my first week, I was eating more mushrooms/avocados/nuts to help keep the belly full. I do juice greens heavily (2lbs every day M-F, thanks to the office program). I also put 2 leafs kale in my smoothies everyday.

I will give the wheatgrass a try as well, I notified our office juicer!

[justin]

I'm a big mountain biker too! Do you carry a pack with you? Or do you just put the bar in your pocket? I carry a Camelback on my long rides. In addition to Larabars...you could pack dates, bananas, raw grawnola, raw nuts & dried fruit, cut veggies...really the possibilities are endless if you have a pack. I personally like dates & bananas because they are high in calories and give me some sugar. This weekend I put dates & bananas in my food processor with some sprouted buckwheat and flax seeds. Then I dehydrated that into bars. You could do something similar with soaked oats and raisins...make something like an oatmeal raisin cookie.

Thanks rawchic! I actually felt pretty good on my ride yesterday, so hopefully I have put part of the struggle behind me.
I do carry a pack and often take bananas (can be, um, difficult if they get opened in the pack) and apples and nuts to eat.
I think I am going to give your bar recipes a try, as well as the green smoothie roll ups. Thanks for the tip!

[justin]

.you picking up what I'm putting down??!!

glamazon- I dig. Could very well be true!

[justin]

Hmmm, Justin, you're new to raw yes?

I found that in the first couple of weeks my endurance went down a little, I think it might have been my body dealing with a whole bunch of transition issues. It returned with a vengeance later on.

But I didn't do any hardcore exercise though, so can't comment on the biking thing.

Just wondering if your body is doing the same thing, taking on a bunch of detox/transition issues at once and directing effort elsewhere for the time being.

I think that there are some transition issues, as my digestion is telling me! Detox was pretty gentle, despite my efforts to trash my body :P I think it was still good to go after my month-long cleanse that carried me thru the holidaze.

[jurence]

So I ran into my first disappointment with my current diet two days last week.
I am an avid mountain biker and regularly ride long, technical rides with lots of up/down sections.

I have found that after 2 hours or so, I am completely out of energy for the climbs. My thighs burn like they did years ago when I started biking and I am forced to push my way up the hill, so I know that they are starving for something.

I drink plenty of water and make sure to eat/drink fruit within a few hours before the ride. I usually take along a LARABAR for the ride to ensure that I have enough go to finish the ride, but this time, it didn't matter.

I have researched the green smoothie rollups on here as well as perusing some of the other threads, but I am still at a loss. I suppose that I shouldn't be too frustrated, I am sure there is a bit of trial and error, but when something conflicts with my passion for biking (which I don't get enough of as of late), it often comes to an end.

Can anyone here help me with their solution to bonking?

Looks like you just started being raw. Give it two weeks- if it gets worse or doesn't get better, start taking complete protein supplements.

[jannahskye]

You should check out the Thrive Diet book and website. Brendan is a professional cyclist and I believe he is close to 100% Raw. He has many Raw Recipes and other advice for endurance athletes. You will like!

[G. Sera]

Hey Justin,

Im into endurance events, too (marathons, primarily, but attempting a tri this summer and an ultra in the fall.) Ive been pretty raw and vegan for a while, but Monday I started only drinking green smoothies- a fast of sorts. I plan on doing this at least through the weekend, through a 20 mile run Sat and a 10 mile run Sunday. If I feel like it, Ill cut the 20 to 16 and increase the 10 to 14. I will probably continue for another couple of days, a week maybe, and then reevaluate. I dont have a set goal regarding this "fast" but I hope that something good comes out of it!
Anyway, Im planning an exception this weekend during the runs. I plan on bringing dates with me, though Im cautious to give up the Gu! I have made my own bars before of almond butter, dates, cocoa powder and coffee (ground beans.) I think I can forgo the coffee in it this time because Ive been off coffee for, well, since Monday.

I'll let you know how things go, and I'll be reading to see how things go for you as well. By the way, are you hearing any concern or negativity from other endurance athletes? I am pretty quiet about my smoothie fast because I don't think many of my running friends would support me.

G. Sera