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Fell asleep during cycle leg of IM

rosiethedog40rosiethedog40
in General Training Discussions

 Dec 2012 09:15 PMEditQuoteReplyAlert

 Hi, This is really weird and I am not sure if you can help but here goes:

 

I have now fallen asleep during the cycle leg of 2 I'm races. I am not kidding. It is exactly the same as when you fall asleep at the wheel of a car - can't keep your eyes open despite doing tonnes of stuff like slapping your face/singing/ etc, and then you 'suddenly' wake up as you are veering off the road. The first race it happened in, thought was nuts. Then I raced another couple of halfs, and another nd was fine. Last week during IMWA it happened again. this ime took more note so here are the facts:

 

1. the swim was rough and had to site a lot - so my shoulders and neck were quite sore

 

2. it occurred between 60-75km (ie over about 30 mins) - my at this time was in zone 1-2 (132-140bpm) and my RPE was about moderately easy mixed with somewhat hard (wind!).

 

3. I had been consistently consuming Infinit at the 'correct' rate. I also had 2 high fibre biscuits withe vvegemite n butter. 

 

4. At this stage the pain in my neck on one side was excruciating. I was trying to roll my shoulders and move my neck a little to ease it.

 

5. The temp was warm but I definitely felt OK with it - didn't feel hot at all. 

 

I really thought my race as over as it was too dangerous - people behind me must have thought I was drunk! So I pulled over at the next aid Station thinking I wuld curl up and have a power nap for a while when someone shouted 'COLA'' so took the bidon and chugged the lot and went on to see it that would help. it did!

 

So, made sure I had  full bidon of Cola at every station (on top of my infinit) and I was fine. 

 

So, was it low sugar (doubtful), or caffeine-deficiency. As we have no special sports-related Drs where I am I am not sure a visit there will be of use. (I had a full heck a month ago anyway and all the blood tests were OK). 

 

Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Did the neck cramping exacerbAte it/ cause it? be grateful for any insights. 

I posted this on the medical forum and they said I should try here. To answer a few questions that other people have brought up - the high fibre biscuits were consumed 40 mins, and 1hr 20 into the cycle. The GI of the biscuits is 55 (which is pretty low, right?) but they had butter and vegemite on them (which slows absorption?). 

 

Thanks, Monique

Comments

  • Dave CampbellDave Campbell
    I have nothing to offer about your question other than to report I once fell asleep and veered off the road on a training ride in south Georgia a few years ago. About the 85 mile mark, hot(upper 90's) long, straight, flat road with heat waves in the distance. I was tired, hot, bored, dehydrated, and just dozed off. I crashed into some soft sand on the shoulder of the road. No damage done, but woke me up for the rest of the ride. Not had any repeats of that. Good luck finding a solution.
  • penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
    Have you been tested for reactive hypoglycemia? Any problems with sleepiness after meals?
  • penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
    Have you been tested for reactive hypoglycemia? Any problems with sleepiness after meals?
  • samrittersamritter

     Just saw this now.  Sorry for the late-ness.

    This happened to me once, and was a REALLY scary thing.  I was out on a training ride on Hatteras Island one morning after getting there for vacation.  It was a cool morning at about 52F and the course was totally flat, and I was only doing a short 16 mile ride.  It was about a quarter mile from being done and I just couldn't stay awake, and I ended waking up in the sand.

    I called the doctor for an appointment to be seen when I returned home.  He ordere a stress test, and did several blood tests, all coming back negative.

    The only thing that we could find is that there was travel involved prior to the ride, and I may have been a bit dehydrated.  Not much liquid consumption while travelling.  Alcohol consumption the night before; very small breakfast were prolly contributing factors.  I've some friends tell me of similar experiences of travel, then riding the next day.

    Just a thought.

  • cgres123cgres123
    Wow scary and strange to say the least.

    I would offer up that perhaps you need to be at your IM destination 3 days before the event to settle in. Two days before the event you need to sleep in a lot and just be plain lazy after you get up until you get moving around noon. Day one before the event you will not really get much sleep avoid caffeine prep your bags drop off the bike then get off your feet. You won't sleep much that night but should be well rested enough to do the event.
    Most folks use caffeinated GU to supplement their IM Perform on the bike and run try this in training too and see what happens with your sleepeness.
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