Odd mental/physical issue when mtn biking..

[Biciclista]

how's your blood pressure?

[crazycanuck]

Good q...I think my blood pressure's normal.

I often have this issue but now wonder if it's the honey i put on my porridge? That wouldn't make sense for later on in the day though.

Sugar crash perhaps? I use cliff bloks n shots along with my drink.

I'm kinda curious now...

[SheFly]

The question I would have is whether you are having too much sugar. the honey on your porridge combined with the Clif Bloks might be more than you really need.

For me, in a 2-3 hour race, I am pre-eating (typically a big breakfast with protein and carbs - not a lot of sugar), have a sports drink in my 50 oz. CamelBak (I use Power Bar endurance), and then eat about 3 blocks total.

I'm inferring from your report that you are eating quite a bit more, and think you may have too much sugar... Just a guess though.

SheFly

[crazycanuck]

Shefly-i keep thinking the same thing. I don't eat alot of sugar and wonder if it's too much of a sugar hit all at once...

I guess i'll just have to visit a sports nutritionist again & ask..

[loveaz]

You can also check out Hammer Nutrition (http://www.hammernutrition.com/)
and they have alot of good info based on weight and such. It also depends on the TYPES of sugars you are getting - fructose and other quick sugars are not so good and you'll get the crash later. Long-chained maltodextrins are the best. Alot of good info on their website.

[crazycanuck]

I did a bit of an experiment this weekend prior to two dirt rides. I noticed if i don't add honey to my porridge i don't have the sugary crash whilst on the trail..

No brainer then! I'm no longer adding honey to the porridge

I've stopped adding sugar etc (use agave nectar instead) to anything I cook or drink (no sugar in me coffeeee) and i guess when i add something sugary my body goes...Whooooaaaaa

[SheFly]

Glad you got that figured out! It sounded like you were eating a lot of sugar on the ride, and that's what made me wonder if it might be the cluprit. I know that I can't eat a lot of those energy foods for that very reason.

Good experiment, and now you know!

SheFly

p.s.
A couple of women I know here will use baked potato or baked sweet potato as energy food on long rides. I know that one will use sweet potato, and make it a consistency that can be eaten from a ziploc-type bag. I have seen others pull potatoes from foil in their pockets. This might be a good alternative to the sugary energy products. I haven't tried it personally, though.

[WindingRoad]

I did a bit of an experiment this weekend prior to two dirt rides. I noticed if i don't add honey to my porridge i don't have the sugary crash whilst on the trail..

No brainer then! I'm no longer adding honey to the porridge

I've stopped adding sugar etc (use agave nectar instead) to anything I cook or drink (no sugar in me coffeeee) and i guess when i add something sugary my body goes...Whooooaaaaa

Sometimes the coffee will do this to me. Are you drinking more than normal for you? Just a thought because for me, I dunno about others, coffee can wear me out prematurely if I drink too much or more than I'm used to having or super strong coffee or if I do too many caffeinated gels. Anywho, something to consider too.