Long distance nutrition - interesting comparison

[Nanci]

I had the same initial thought as you- not enough calories, but when I added it up, 90/gel, 300 for a half cup of dates/walnuts half and half, she's at 390cal/hour. That's almost the limit of what a very good system can process. Plus the walnuts are giving her plenty of protein/fat. It's gotta be something else- wind, hills, speed, undertrained. I'd like to hear what happens next time at that distance. I went thrrough a phase as I was building from aobut 40 miles to 70 or 80 miles where every time I increased, the last five miles would be awful. Then the next time I did that distance, fine. Now I can increase without that happening.

Nanci

[Veronica]

I was thinking more about the timing of the calories. It sounded like she was eating every hour, not little bits during the hour. So not having the fuel when she needed it - if that makes sense. Kind of like putting wood in a fireplace when the fire has gone out.

V.

[maillotpois]

Good points, V and Nanci - I do like the food a little bit at a time theory, too. That's what I do and it feels like you can absord it more if it goes is gradually and continually.

[Nanci]

Good point, V. When I ride, it's a constant flow of Sport Beans and Gatorade, which are not an insignificant source of calories, and then every hour or two, a major snack like a bar or milk. And I think that the smaller your base is, the less tolerance you have for running low.

I'm still not convinced it's caloric, though. Say the big influx of calories takes 20 minutes to empty out of her stomach- she's only got 40 minutes till the next batch- not ideal, but not that long, either. (Yes, I know, it's not being absorbed much till it leaves, but it's still the same time frame.)

If that's the diet she likes, and that agrees with her, I would eat a gel at half an hour while riding, stop if necessary at one hour to eat the fruit/nuts, eat a gel at 1.5 hours, stop for fruit nuts at 2 hours, and so on. Or split it into 20 minute segments and stay on the bike, and split the fruit/nuts into quarter cup servings of 150 calories- that would be more evenly distributed. That's a good electrolyte schedule, too, expecially in heat.

Gatorade, Endurox, even gels and sport beans are too expensive for some people- sometimes you have to make do with "real food" that does the same thing.

Nanci

[mtbdarby]

Thanks Ladies!
I'll try splitting my intake of the food/gel as suggested: Gel on the hour, food on the half hour. It will work on my trainer right now (sorry Nanci, I can't use wind, weather or hills as an excuse yet ). This weekend is 37 miles so I'll let you know what happens. In a mtb race I would rather only carry gel with me instead of real food - it's hard to eat on the trail since I usually need both hands for steering. I did order some of the succeed tablets you suggested so I'll try that.

The date/nut mixture was a suggestion I read here and my stomach can handle it. I find I like to "munch" on something as opposed to an all liquid fueling.

My new road bike is due in this week - I got a Terry symmetry! I am so pshyced to get out on the road!!!!