What does a bonk feel like?

[Dianyla]

I always thought that the running term "hitting the wall" was fairly equivalent to "bonking" which is used more in the cycling/triathlon world. As onimity says, it's the point of glycogen depletion.

Bonking for me means dizzy, delirious, incoherent, unable to stand straight, chills, etc. It always amazes me how easy it is to not notice that I'm bonking while on the bike. Then, when I stop the bike or get off and walk around I'm suddenly very very woozy.

An active bonk is different from "dead legs" which are often a result of overtraining, sickness, medication, or not properly replenishing glycogen after a previous ride.

[Aggie_Ama]

Since I bonked twice, I would say for me it is a crying feeling. I will get so fatigued I feel like I don't know right from left. I bonked on the 85 mile Shiner GASP and was crying uncontrollably, cramping in odd muscles (the side of the shin) and was nauseated. Plus I got chills even though it was nearly 90 degrees.

[Eden]

Just FYI - chills, shaking and cramping can be symptoms of dehydration/heat exhastion - so if its hot out you may be experiencing this as well as or rather than bonk!

[Triskeliongirl]

For me, it is confusion, since my brain isn't getting enough glucose, and simply the feeling that my muscles have run out of gas, which they have, they simply can't turn the pedals anymore.

[sarahlou]

Any Aussie gals giggle at the title? Or am I the only one with a juvenile mind?

[Duck on Wheels]

woops. Hadn't thought of that one. Guess I was focusing narrowly on the context. But thanks for the definitions and descriptions, everybody. Brings to mind one olympic marathon I watched once, ages ago, with one woman struggling to finish, wobbling all over the track, stumbling, getting up, falling over again. I think a functionary finally held her up and walked her over the finish line ... and then straight to the medical tent. So now I'm wondering how useful the definitions and descriptions are. If I get to that point, I won't be in a rational state and won't be able to process the knowledge to do the right thing about it. So what I need to know is what it feels like enough BEFORE "the bonk" that I can still do something about it (such as get off the bike, eat, drink, and rest).

[Dogmama]

So what I need to know is what it feels like enough BEFORE "the bonk" that I can still do something about it (such as get off the bike, eat, drink, and rest).

If you begin to feel fatigued more than your normal a$$-whoopin' tired, you need to get some extra quick carbs in. I like a liquid drink or a gel, as they assimilate quickly. Take into consideration your recovery from your last ride (or lack thereof), your current carb intake and how hard you are pushing. If you even suspect you could bonk - stop & get some quick carbs in. Better safe than sorry. I always carry a water bottle of accelerade or cytomax to keep electrolytes, hydration and carbs flowing. I make sure that every 30 minutes or so, I take a couple of big swigs - more if I'm pushing uphill, in a headwind or towards the end of a ride.

Anything over 2 hours requires a quick stop with some gel-goo & a few fig newtons (my current energy faves.) Your mileage may vary.

[sundial]

OK, today I did 40 miles after being off for a week. I tried to eat something after 30 minutes or so and kept putting in fuel--Sport Beans, cheese and pb crackers, Hammergel, etc. However, I was cycling during the heat of the day and I was starting to really feel the heat from the road. I wouldn't have kept going if my hubby wasn't following with the *courtesy* wagon.

I had to take several breaks just to stretch and really hydrate. But the heat was really taking a toll on my performance. My heart rate was pushing the upper limits constantly and after pulling into the parking lot at the end of my ride, it was 98 F. Jeepers! I really didn't think I could do another 10 miles in the heat. Ack! I felt nauseous after the ride while I was cooling off in the car. I don't think I'll be putting in the long miles until the weather breaks.

[kiwi girl]

Any Aussie gals giggle at the title? Or am I the only one with a juvenile mind?

bonk means the same thing in NZ english as in Aussie english and yeah, I have a juvenile mind too - most cycling or running discussions on bonking make me laugh.

Even worse, one time when I was in Hawaii during elections there was a women with the surname of 'Bonk' running for office (it may even have been for governor) and her election advertising said 'Bonk for Hawaii' - now that one really brought out my juvenile mind

[Aggie_Ama]

Just FYI - chills, shaking and cramping can be symptoms of dehydration/heat exhastion - so if its hot out you may be experiencing this as well as or rather than bonk!

This is a personal feeling but the chills I was describing were more of a I ned sugar shaking. Of course I think I was low on sugar and at the verge of dehydration. It was a miserable ride.