“Blowing up” is when an athlete suddenly hits their maximum while racing, which causes them to slow down or stop. It normally results from bad pacing or from not having enough food or drink. It is also known as bonking or cracking.
Blowing up is an acute problem in energy management that tends to occur in long races. It results from the body’s depletion of glycogen, excessive heat buildup, or fatigue of the heart. Signs include dizziness, muscle weakness, nausea, as well as loss of motivation or coordination. Athletes are advised to pace, eat regularly, and control their effort in order not to blow up. Sometimes rest and eating can remedy the situation, but in most cases, blowing up results in not being able to complete the race. It is agony, but not uncommon in endurance races, and can provide valuable insights for future races.
