Finding the Puke Threshold

by - Thursday, May 16, 2013

When I work out I normally don't make it a habit to push myself anywhere near the puke threshold. I like to stay well below it, pushing myself hard enough, but not the point where I toss my cookies everywhere.

I've heard stories of people yakking during CrossFit classes, but I've never once felt even close to that in class. Yes, we work hard, but that doesn't mean it results in a bunch of people puking all over the gym. (That would just leave a lot of gross clean up.)

Last night though, I was pushed right to the verge of the puke threshold, where I could sort of feel the bile rising in the back of my throat.

Winter Throwdown

The Sweat part of the class was three 500 meter sprints on the rower. Ewww.

I knew this workout would suck. I did not know it would almost make me ill.

I got through the first sprint fine. Finished in 2:02, not fast, but not horribly slow (kind of like my running).

Tackled the second sprint, finished in 2:03 and then felt my stomach get kind of unsettled. I took a beat to catch my breath. Chilled on the rower until I could pull myself together and calm my stomach.

Then tackled the third sprint in 2:05 and felt like death afterward. Not pukey death. The stomach stuff went away after the second interval, but I pretty much wanted to collapse on the ground and never move again after that last sprint.

My quads were on fire. I was gasping for air. Sweat was pouring down my face.

Rowing just straight up sucks. It's a killer workout and I know it's making me stronger and all, but it just plain sucks, especially when it makes me feel like I might puke.

You May Also Like

6 comments

  1. Christina4:13 AM

    Ooh, I hate that feeling! I feel ill when I work out early in the morning. But good for you for getting through the row class. :) it sounds super tough.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anne collonge5:18 AM

    As a former rower (and tri-athlete before the kid was born) I can attest that the erg and rowing in a race are the only things that make me want to puke. Running a half, doing a tri- I have never really wanted to toss my cookies. But a good hard erg piece- yup, I have been known to retch and heave. Yuck! Go you! Those numbers are good. I got back on the erg recently- it hurts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you're going to row like that, be sure you puke over the side of the boat, not inside it. it's really better for everyone. Nice sprinting!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I miss the puke threshold. It's been so long since I've been near it. Congrats on a killer workout. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. "not fast, not horribly slow" I don't know why, but this made me laugh. Speed is relative and why I like running so much!

    The only times I've thrown up from working out have been after the Marine Corps Marathon and the DC half (you witnessed it!! Sorry again...). But both of those times it was about an hour after, never actually during a workout.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've never done the rowing machine but I've heard it's brutal. There's been a few times that I've gotten close to feeling my food coming back up but I just manage to take a breather for a bit and I'll go back when I'm better!

    ReplyDelete