The BIG Bonk

So today was a humbling day. I have had a pretty good summer so far. Feeling strong for the most part and racing well enough. Two weeks ago, I did Vineman in Santa Rosa, CA and had a strong race: 4:28. Biking being my strong point. I have tried to focus more on it this year for a couple of reasons: I did Ironman AZ in April, so I just had to get some distance in, and it has helped my fitness without focusing on the run, thus preventing those nagging injuries I would push myself and get running. But today.............Going up Mt Lemmon, I did not feel that bike fitness I have enjoyed all year.............Today, I bonked BIG time going up to ski valley!! The kind of bonk, when you feel like you should get off and walk........because that would be faster!! The kind of bonk, when you start sweating that cold (oh crap!) this is the last of it, sweat!! The kind of bonk, when I accepted a push on my sweaty ass from a girl (no offense to the girl...she is an awesome cyclist) to help keep me going forward!! So I thought about it and came to a couple of conclusions. One is, I need to eat more than a banana for a ride like Lemmon. Stupid me. Even in good shape, you need to do the right things. No one is invincible!! Secondly, I have not ridden since Vineman, and I think the consistant riding that we do that is followed by the consistant refueling is key to a hard day or race. Without keeping the glycogen stores in the muscles, from consistant replenishment, we empty our tank and are more prone to bonk. Even pre-race, I make a habit of doing short, race pace workouts followed by good nutrition replenishment. With muscle specific exercises, our blood flow is at peak during and post workouts. This is the BEST time to feed that muscle the energy it wants. I failed to do this over the last two weeks and a tough climb like Mt Lemmon, demands better. Oh well, LIVE and LEARN. In training or in life, there are these great reminders and yes humbling days..................