Re: Overheating at 80?

It sounds like your low on electrolites. For every bottle of water you
drink you should drink a bottle of gatorade (powdered is cheap!) or some
other energy drink. It doesn't matter how much water you drink if you
are low on electrolites. That'll cause a headache, nausea, overheating
no problem.

btw, alcohol dehydrates you. You felt better because of the
electrolytes in the coke and beer.

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It could be that you were low on electrolytes that day and that you had
sweated out a lot of salt.

When I get low on electrolytes it can feel like I'm getting the bonk or
hitting the wall. No energy. No recovery. No stamina. Feel a little
woozy. Start to UPD a lot on easy terrain. I've never gotten a
headache though or nausea, but different people get different
symptoms.

I now take a couple of 'Lava Salts' (http://www.lavasalts.com/salts.htm)
capsules with me for electrolyte replacement. If I'm sweating normally
I'll take about one capsule per hour, which seems to work for me. If
it's hot out I'll take more.

I don't like putting Gatorade or other sports drinks in my hydration
pack because they get the bladder all gunky. Instead I take the salt in
pill form. Works well for me. I find the Lava Salts to be very
convenient.

Different people need different amounts of salt. Some people sweat out
a lot of salt while others don't sweat out much salt at all. I'm one of
the people that sweats out a lot of salt. After a ride my face can be
caked with salt and my armor gets salt marks too like they were soaking
in The Great Salt Lake. The trick is to find out how much salt it is
that you need and to learn to recognize the symptoms that your body is
getting low on electrolytes. Then consume enough electrolytes during
the ride to keep things in balance.

Of course it could be due to something other than low electrolytes too.
You could have actually hit the bonk but that's unlikely that early into
the ride unless you were fasting before the ride. The bonk is when your
body runs out of glycogen for energy and switches over to burning fat
and protein for energy. It's different than running low on electrolytes
but the symptoms can be similar.

If you finish a ride, chug a Gatorade and find that the Gatorade tastes
really really good then it's likely that your body was craving the salt
in the Gatorade. That's a sign that you should have consumed more
electrolytes during the ride. If you suspect you ran low on
electrolytes then try the Lava Salts and keep a couple of extra Lava
Salts capsules in your riding kit for emergencies just in case.

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sounds like you bonked pretty good. seager and john are right. more
electrolytes, or more food would have helped you out a bunch. i'm with
john on the water only in the camel back. so i drink a coke or some
gatorade or something before a long ride, and if it gonna be *really*
long i take some food. usually some candy or something like peanuts.

--
markf - movie nerd

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Based on your thread here:
http://tinyurl.com/5wwpp

I would say that you are just plain out of shape. I am not talking
'couch potatoe' out of shape. Of course, that does not apply to you,
but everything is relative.

My advise (if you are not doing this already): Get off the uni 3-4 times
a week and go for a jog, lift some weights, etc. The uni is good
exercise, but it is not the best way to get in great physical shape.

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To add what to what John said, make sure whatever electrolyte
replacement you use is also high in potassium. Your brain works of Na/K
pumps, and if you get low on either one it kind of stops functioning.
Potassium is just an important as sodium. It also helps with cramping -
muscles need it.

He's right about no gatorade in a hydration pack. I guess the distance
biker in me forgot there are no bottles on unicycles 🙂. Try
prehydrating with gatorade (high in potasium and salt), water along the
way, gatorade when you get back? Also, bananas will give you a fair
amount.

--
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I think newtouni's answer is wrong. I have been riding a lot. I may
not be in super stellar shape, however, I was doing an activity that I
have been doing every day in greater amounts. In other words, if I ride
10 miles a day on rougher terrian, why would I be "too out of shape" to
ride 1/10 the distance on *easy* trail?

I also forgot to mention that my dog got "bonked out" also. I take him
with me on almost all of my rides. Typically, he can do 11 miles take a
30 minute break and bust out for more. He's a large Weimaraner (big grey
hunting dog from Germany). Well, even though he had water (and could lay
down in a creek to cool off) he seemed to overheat also. He hid in the
shade of some trees and struggled to put his chest in a tiny puddle to
cool off. At that point, we'd only done about 2-3 miles. I notice he's a
lot better off in 40-60 degree temperatures. In the past, he's
overheated enough not to want to keep up, but I think that is at 90+
degrees (not 80).

John_childs answer was amazingly accurate!!!
1. I am also one to sweat a lot of salt.
2. I didn't have any electrolytes in my system because
3. I had been fasting

It was all good until it all caught up with me. I respect the answers
and will do the things mentioned to correct the problem (using
electrolytes/salt/). Thanks!

Still part of me feels like I should also learn to deal with the heat.
Heat seemed to play a significant role (for the dog and I) although the
Duke has been on a diet lately.

For now, I consider this problem solved.
However, if anyone has tips on dealing with heat specifically (besides
what has been mentioned) I am eager to hear it.

Thanks again for the tips!

--
ChangingLINKS.com - member

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ChangingLINKS.com said:

*. I think newtouni's answer is wrong.......

However, if anyone has tips on dealing with heat specifically (besides
what has been mentioned) I am eager to hear it.*

Well, you will probably think I am wrong about the following as well,
but I know of what I speak. I have done many +150 mile endurance foot
races. These are self supported races were you have to carry your own
food, water etc. in a pack. Some of those included crossing the Sahara
(+125F heat) and Amazon Jungle (+100F with super high humidity). These
things are pretty hard. So, I have some creditals.

For anything less than a hour or so, you shouldn't have to worry much as
long as you are not starved or thirsty at the start. Most food has
enough salts, etc to get you by regardless of how much you sweat, etc
for that amount of time.

Longer than a hour: the best (and cheapest) thing I have found to use
is rock salt. You can buy a few 'pounds' for almost nothing at the
local market. Carry a few rocks with you and suck on one or two every
hour or so. Don't overdo the salt (and you will know if you overdo it
because you will fell sick). The salt will taste almost like candy
going in when your body needs it. The salt will help you retain fluid,
etc.

Next is food: I like Gu gel, but mostly use Payday candy bars. Yep,
Payday. A ton of calories and some salt to boot. They have sugar for
quick engery and protein (nuts) for the long haul. I also like them
because you can get them anywhere (unlike the fancy high priced bars).
Take in one every hour or so.

Next is to just get used to the heat by being in it. But... don't hurt
yourself.

The other advise is obvious: drink drink drink, water or Gatoraide or
whatever works for you, wear a hat. Stuff that you probably already
know and do anyway.

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newtouni said:

*Well, you will probably think I am wrong about the following as well,
but I know of what I speak. Stuff that you probably already know and
do anyway. *

No. I didn't know or do any of that (anymore). Thank you!
From your experience in the desert, is there anything that I can do
besides ingesting?

(For example when I used to cycle for miles in 100 degree heat, I would
soak my cotton t-shirt in water before starting and that seemed to help
a bunch.) Are you suggesting to simply ride more in the heat to build up
tolerance? Any other tips?

I probably already have all of the answers I need to get started, but
I'm fishing for the magical answer to keep the heart from spiking in the
first .4 miles again.

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ChangingLINKS.com said:

*
I probably already have all of the answers I need to get started, but
I'm fishing for the magical answer to keep the heart from spiking in
the first .4 miles again. *

I think you are right. You, for some reason, just had a bad day from
the sound of things.

The wetting the shirt, etc. stuff never seemed to work for me. But, it
has to work because everyone seems to do it.

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aclimate! that's the best advice i can give. wear common sense type
loose fitting clothes. or cycling gear that's all breathable and wicking
and stuff like that. other than that just get used to the heat. it takes
about 6 weeks for you body to full adjust.

--
markf - movie nerd

stuck in iowa and unemployed.
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I'm no expert, but it sounds like you were low on alcohol.

--
bugman - Survivor 2004 Wolfman Duathalon

-"Worried about rising sea levels? Move into the hills! I might be a
hillbilly but when you're drinking saltwater in the 2nd floor of your
beach condo, my mullet will be drier than a can of Skoal left open on a
sunny day."- - maestro8

-"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who
are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."- -
Albert Einstein

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A few things:

Yesterday was our hottest day yet and my wife and I hiked around for
only an hour or so and one of our two dogs (who runs the whole time
chasing anything and nothing), was really overheated afterwards. She
panted heavily and was very uncomfortable for at least an hour
afterwards. It wasn't really that hot or humid, but she just wasn't
used to it yet. If I had ridden yesterday I would probably have been
the same way, I go through that every spring.

On the same walk, we both wore jersey type shirts made of wicking
material. I would never ride in anything but a jersey on a hot day, but
I have always overlooked the obvious for other outdoor activities. We
were both very comfortable, much more so than we would have been in
cotton tee shirts.

Pre-hydrating with Gatorade makes a big difference for me. There have
been other threads about it. I down a full quart right before the ride.
If I don't, it doesn't seem to matter how much water I drink during the
ride, I stay thirsty and get weak.

I think different people have different needs for electrolytes. I may
try the Lava Salts product JC uses. My uncle was having blackouts and
his doctor prescribed salt tablets, so I may beneifit from it.

Thanks for those tips Newtouni. By the way, will you always be new to
uni? 🙂

Scott

--
S_Wallis - MUni Motivated

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn
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newtouni said:

*Well, you will probably think I am wrong about the following as well,
but I know of what I speak. I have done many +150 mile endurance foot
races. These are self supported races were you have to carry your own
food, water etc. in a pack. Some of those included crossing the
Sahara (+125F heat) and Amazon Jungle (+100F with super high
humidity). These things are pretty hard. So, I have some creditals.*

I know that it is way off-topic and such, but I (for one) am deeply
interested in hearing more about these events. At least point me to some
websites or forums, etc. please.

I admit that running isn't my thing (my flat feet, asthma, and short
legs, lack of running talent have always played a role) but, much of the
information you learned with these events could help us (the unicycle
community) be more hard core.

Also, I'd like to invite you out to the 'Ssan Antonio/Aussstin Ssuper
Ssaturday! (04-02-05)' (http://tinyurl.com/48u3a) where you could tell
us/me some stories about it.
Sounds damned awesome!

(emphasis on "damned"😉

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S_Wallis said:

*A few things:

Yesterday was our hottest day yet and my wife and I hiked around for
only an hour or so and one of our two dogs (who runs the whole time
chasing anything and nothing), was really overheated afterwards. She
panted heavily and was very uncomfortable for at least an hour
afterwards. It wasn't really that hot or humid, but she just wasn't
used to it yet. Scott *

I heard the heat index here was something like 94 degrees - and if
*that* is correct, it partly explains why I malfunctioned.
If I tried the same things in plain 94 degree temps, I would have had
the same results.

Thanks everyone for your tips and help!
I have definately changed my anti-ingestion opinion.

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I kind of like this stuff on longer rides I find it to be tons better
than other sports drinks and it tastes good without being overly sweet
too.

'Enervit G ' (http://tinyurl.com/53vc4)

--
Checkernuts - Breakdancer Extraordinar

No one said it was gonna be easy and I'm not afraid to try, with the
odds stacked up against me I will have to fight, One Life One Wheel got
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Wow, newtouni and changinglinks.com are being nice to each other. I
always knew that could happen some day.

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I have no symapthy ..

It's still in the 30's here (F)

😉

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(http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=21988)
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I've been dabbling with the eload hydration system. Done 200 miles this
week on a roadbike and ran a 10 k and 5 k on my "days off". I'm
overtraining on purpose to challenge this hydration system because our
shop is thinking of carrying it.
I've not had one sore or even heavy legged day this week. Which included
riding 3 times in one day for commuting purposes. It's a bit pricey but
check it out. I'm becoming a believer. eload.net
You'll see that the site suggests that you feel cooler. This part I'm
not sure of because I'm used to heat and it hasn't gotten hot (for what
I consider hot) here yet.
Jeff

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onefiftyfour said:

*Wow, newtouni and changinglinks.com are being nice to each other. I
always knew that could happen some day. *

Nope. He's just setting me up for the kill 😠

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