Out of the funk and dizzy

I've ridden four days in a row now.  Perhaps that's no big deal to you, but I was in a funk for a while with all that nasty weather we had. 

Today was just what I needed: Four hour team ride and a whole lot of work.  I am starting to feel normal again.  I'm also starting to figure out my sprint again, too. 

For some reason, sprinting comes and goes with me.  It's as much of a dance on the bike as it is about power, at least in my view.  If all you've got is power, you can go fast, but you won't be able to accelerate well.   I'm not saying I'm going to start cleaning up in the races around here, but it's nice to feel the sprint dance come back to me.

After my ride today I was having serious dizzy spells.  Standing up from sitting on the ground made me see stars.  This happens a lot to me, actually.  Am I the only one?  Donna says it's due to dehydration, which is most likely true.  But man, for a few hours, I actually have to lean against the wall when I stand up until the room stops spinning.

Comments
Maybe it`s due to the distance that your blood has too travel from point A to point B when you stand up in such a short period of time, I don`t have that being 5`7"!
# Posted By Guy Smith | 4/28/08 7:09 AM
low(er) blood pressure

it was happening to me all day on Friday (big ride thursday)

I use it as a good sign that there ain't no way in hell i'll need BP meds...

issa good thing - just a major pain in the ass (or head - as some say mine aren't easy to tell apart)
# Posted By gewilli | 4/28/08 7:17 AM
Oh good. No BP meds is a happy thing, as it's in the family.

My wife gave me a good explanation, too. Something about vascular pressure equalization is slower to react when one is dehydrated.
# Posted By erikv | 4/28/08 7:20 AM
I have exactly the same problem, and it seems to get worse the later in the season and the fitter I am. I do think it's a tall thing (I'm 6'4") as well, with all that distance for the blood to travel. I think our condition is called orthostatic hypotension, which sounds much better than "I stood up too fast."
# Posted By hobgolin | 4/28/08 2:26 PM
Cool, thanks. Glad I'm not the only one!
# Posted By erikv | 4/28/08 3:18 PM
I'm only 5'9" and it happens to me. It also happens to me after I give blood (as I did today). The dehydration explanation makes sense - When I usually donate I get light headed/dizzy and I took it that I am just a wuss. However, today I drank 2 pints of water as I sat in the chair and I seem to be just fine. I was even able to ride home a couple hours later to no real ill effect.
# Posted By Porter | 4/28/08 8:48 PM
It could also be the hemp brushes that you are using to wash your water bottles.
# Posted By Richard | 4/29/08 7:43 AM
Nope, I don't wash my water bottles...hey, maybe I'm on to something there.
# Posted By erikv | 4/29/08 7:51 AM