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The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes
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It appears their dietary restrictions are different. Maybe that's an incorrect perception; if it's not, why?

I think of cancellara and it looks like he still keeps himself very lean for a guy that excels in tt's. I think of Crowie who I've heard say many times he eats whatever he wants.

If triathletes were as careful as cyclists about their diets, would that change the sport? (that is if I'm even assuming correctly)
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [%FTP] [ In reply to ]
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I am no expert in this at all but the one thing I've noticed with runners, swimmers, or cyclist is that they still have to watch their diet. Otherwise they will gain weight a lot faster than triathletes.
I think the body adapt to the single sport but triathletes keep switching things up and maybe that's why we can eat more.
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [%FTP] [ In reply to ]
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%FTP wrote:
It appears their dietary restrictions are different. Maybe that's an incorrect perception; if it's not, why?

I think of cancellara and it looks like he still keeps himself very lean for a guy that excels in tt's. I think of Crowie who I've heard say many times he eats whatever he wants.

If triathletes were as careful as cyclists about their diets, would that change the sport? (that is if I'm even assuming correctly)

in short, climbing during a cycling event can destroy your day. climbing in a trathlon? what climb?

cycling has different demands and the UCI word rankings are built around mostly hilly cycling. the great races have great climbs (and cobbles)
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [3Dealz] [ In reply to ]
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In my experience (with high-level collegiate athletes) it's only runners/cyclists that watch what they eat. I've never met anyone that eats more - and cares less about what they are eating - than swimmers. I would think that's because swimming is the least dependent on W/kg.

Also, TTing is reliant power/CdA unlike pro cycling.
Last edited by: dwesley: Mar 31, 12 17:30
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [%FTP] [ In reply to ]
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Top triathlete's do watch their diets, many compulsively. They will tend to weigh more than cyclists (and especially runners) since they need muscles for all three sports, and accordingly have higher base metabolic rates along with the ability to burn more daily calories (more muscles to share the load).

As far as the importance of weight:

Swimming - very little (lots of fat, fast masters swimmers out there).

Cycling on the flat - little (it's a surface area to weight exercise)

Cycling on hills - a lot (it's a power to weight exercise)

Running - a lot (it's a power to weight exercise)


“I just had to find a way to get as light as I possibly could without losing my strength and then build a racing plan that suited the conditions and my issues in them,” he says.
In the end McCormack learned that a racing weight of 175–177 pounds gave him the ideal balance of leanness and strength, and that being aggressive on the bike and more cautious on the run was the best Kona racing strategy for a big fella.






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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [Titanflexr] [ In reply to ]
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Does anyone know how many calories these top guys are putting down on training days? What kinds of food they eat?

Also find it hard to believe that Macca is 175-177 in that picture. You think it's just Macca playing mind games or did he really weigh that much?
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [jsharp9242] [ In reply to ]
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jsharp9242 wrote:
Also find it hard to believe that Macca is 175-177 in that picture. You think it's just Macca playing mind games or did he really weigh that much?

Here we go with this again...


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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [%FTP] [ In reply to ]
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You think triathlete's don't restrict? Check out this tiny meal plan from Leanda Cave on a day with 6 hours+ of training. Endurance sports lend themselves to restriction and disorder, I don't really see differences in prevalence between running, cycling and triathlon.

As for the comment on w/kg not being important because of the lack of critical cycling climbing. WRONG. Running is a constant climb, you are overcoming your mass with each stride.

As for the comment about triathlete's having higher metabolic rates. Wrong as well. The difference here would be small and would not account for different eating behaviours.

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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [jsharp9242] [ In reply to ]
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jsharp9242 wrote:
Does anyone know how many calories these top guys are putting down on training days? What kinds of food they eat?

I'm far from being a "top guy," but I was exposed to that environment for a weeklong camp. Executive summary: started pretty fit, did 53hr of training over 8 days, ate 8000-10000 cal/day, lost 5 pounds. What kinds of food? Anything in sight.

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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [jsharp9242] [ In reply to ]
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Haven't bothered reading whatever the poster after you is referring to, but Macca is no where near 175 in that picture. It seems he is only 5'11" and most places have him at 150lbs, which is probably closer to true weight. I am 6'1"+ and weigh ~165 and look like Arnie compared to Macca. BTW, it probably depends on the athletes...some are lucky and can eat anything and not put on weight (I am not a pro but fall into that category and have ~5% body fat and don't train too much (a lot less than 10 hours/week)....the more I work out the heavier I get!!).

Edit: and I eat absolute crap...no vegetables unless someone cooks for me or I am eating out, 2-3 cans of coke at work and a 2 litre bottle in the evening (although this maybe Mountain Dew instead). My customary Rocky Road bar in the morning from work cafe plus 2 cookies. The afternoon is something from the vending machine (lately it's been Doritos). In the evening a bag of Haribo (or Pringles if feel like something more savoury), a Skor bar (addictive little bastards....they need to crush those bars up and put them in a big bag, reckon they would sell like hot cakes) and something else (often a chunky Kit Kat at mo). This is around the normal meals of breakfast (this varies a lot from Dunkin stuff (#1 (2 donuts and coffee) or one of their sandwiches) to waffles or eggs), lunch (normally a turkey or chicken sandwich with honey mustard, swiss cheese and tomatoes), and dinner (order in a lot as Manhattan has everything at the press of a few buttons (Delivery.com)...sushi is a favorite as is Thai, Chinese and Indian). So basically, rubbish.
Last edited by: Magwister: Mar 31, 12 21:32
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [dwesley] [ In reply to ]
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dwesley wrote:
In my experience (with high-level collegiate athletes) it's only runners/cyclists that watch what they eat. I've never met anyone that eats more - and cares less about what they are eating - than swimmers. I would think that's because swimming is the least dependent on W/kg.

Also, TTing is reliant power/CdA unlike pro cycling.

X 10 on swimmers!!!!! If runners were doing the equivalent training of top swimmers (around 18,000 yds/day), then they'd be running about 36 mi/day, and then they too could eat whatever they want.


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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [jsharp9242] [ In reply to ]
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jsharp9242 wrote:
Does anyone know how many calories these top guys are putting down on training days? What kinds of food they eat?
Went to two talks by Crowie a couple of years ago (after his first and second wins at Kona) and he said he has lots of chocolate milk and loves his donuts. Often indulges in beer too, just to keep the weight on.
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [%FTP] [ In reply to ]
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Cyclist, Runners and Triathletes all eat fairly similar. A triathletes training will generally require more calories due to the have both upper and lower body muscle to maintain/recover compared to cyclist and runners which really only care about the legs and then they usually only want the minimum muscle needed before loss of performance.

One big thing is cyclist generally speaking have to be a racing weight for a larger part of the year due to there jobs. Most pros don't even peak at 100% in cycling, only the team leaders do. they may get to 95% or be on great form but never really be at 100%. Triathletes generally speaking have longer periods between races and do peak at 100% for there races so they mainly watch more what they eat in the lead up to major races. And then there's runners who cant really afford to put on to much weight at any time due to the high volume high impact training.

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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [%FTP] [ In reply to ]
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To thos that say macca is not 175lbs look at his legs and hips!! Muscle weighs more than fat and he has a lot of muscle down there.

Train with ITU guys who defiantly watch their weight. Went on camp with my squad and it almost got to a point of obsession.

I think there's a video of Chris lieto saying he averages 5000cals a day.

I'm 6 foot 145lbs and defiantly watch what I eat, Moreso not eating crap and dialing back on the carbs at dinner.

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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [cannastar] [ In reply to ]
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 "Muscle weighs more than fat"
I think you mean more dense? A pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle but I believe the same volume of muscle weighs more than that same volume of fat. But it's a bit too early for a physiology lesson and I'm about to get my ass kicked at this half marathon this morning after my 100 mile ride yesterday. Damn you Ironman training!

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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [cannastar] [ In reply to ]
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cannastar wrote:
To thos that say macca is not 175lbs look at his legs and hips!! Muscle weighs more than fat and he has a lot of muscle down there.

Train with ITU guys who defiantly watch their weight. Went on camp with my squad and it almost got to a point of obsession.

I think there's a video of Chris lieto saying he averages 5000cals a day.

I'm 6 foot 145lbs and defiantly watch what I eat, Moreso not eating crap and dialing back on the carbs at dinner.

Has been discussed to death already but here's NO way Macca weighs 175 in that picture. No friggin' way.

This stat on "TriMaven" is much more likely near reality for his racing weight: 150ish
http://www.trimaven.com/Pro-Men/chris-mccormack

I'll bet he walks around during early training and off-season at 175, sure, but for racing and in that picture, he's definitely 150 or lower.
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [dwesley] [ In reply to ]
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dwesley wrote:
In my experience (with high-level collegiate athletes) it's only runners/cyclists that watch what they eat. I've never met anyone that eats more - and cares less about what they are eating - than swimmers. I would think that's because swimming is the least dependent on W/kg.

Also, TTing is reliant power/CdA unlike pro cycling.

Plus, a little bit of bodyfat also helps swimmers. Helps ya float.


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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [LuvMyCrappyBike] [ In reply to ]
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"fat" swimmers.
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [3Dealz] [ In reply to ]
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3Dealz wrote:
I am no expert in this at all but the one thing I've noticed with runners, swimmers, or cyclist is that they still have to watch their diet. Otherwise they will gain weight a lot faster than triathletes.
I think the body adapt to the single sport but triathletes keep switching things up and maybe that's why we can eat more.

probably not with competitve swimmers, but I could see your point with the other two


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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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lightheir wrote:
I'll bet he walks around during early training and off-season at 175, sure, but for racing and in that picture, he's definitely 150 or lower.

Besides being overconfident in your ability to guess body mass from pictures, you are not giving the hugeness of his ass and legs enough credit. Thats a huge load of muscle hes got in that region, dense, heavy muscle.



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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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jackmott wrote:
lightheir wrote:

I'll bet he walks around during early training and off-season at 175, sure, but for racing and in that picture, he's definitely 150 or lower.


Besides being overconfident in your ability to guess body mass from pictures, you are not giving the hugeness of his ass and legs enough credit. Thats a huge load of muscle hes got in that region, dense, heavy muscle.

Not overconfident - being honest.

Seriously, do you think Macca walks around in the offeseason at 190? 15lbs over is a typical weight gain for a pro off peak. His ass & legs are NOT huge - yes, they're dense, but you CANNOT get denser than bone, and for muscle, it's not much heavier than water. To think that those slim legs and rear are packing on tons of pounds is ridiculous.

Allen Iverson, the all-star basketball player is taller than Macca and arguably has more muscle mass in his legs and butt because he needs the explosivity for jumping (and the dude could jump like no other.) Even without the anorexic look, he was barely 170lbs. Macca is at least 15, if not 20 under that.
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [Cervelo Apple] [ In reply to ]
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Cervelo Apple wrote:



"fat" swimmers.


And on the other hand, a physique like this would in no way be world running or cycling champion any time soon. (Women's world marathon swim champion.)


Last edited by: lightheir: Apr 2, 12 9:10
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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there are some elite level cyclist women that are pretty big too. its one of my great 'endurance sports mysteries' - do they NEED the extra mass to get the power, or do they HAVE the extra mass because its a niche sport where you can get away with it?


but yeah, won't work for running.



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Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
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Re: The diets of pro cyclists vs triathletes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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jackmott wrote:
there are some elite level cyclist women that are pretty big too. its one of my great 'endurance sports mysteries' - do they NEED the extra mass to get the power, or do they HAVE the extra mass because its a niche sport where you can get away with it?


but yeah, won't work for running.


They're big but not THAT big. She's carrying wayyy more extra fat (not muscle) than any women's pro cyclist for sure. The cyclists do have some big quads, particularly track sprinters, but they certainly have little to no body fat. That swimmer is at least 18% BF, if not more, which is downright pudgy for a typical cyclist or runner.

I'm sure the 'fat' helps in swimming, very analogous to a wetsuit. Fat floats, and you expend less energy on flotation. Even if it saves you 0.25% of energy, in a long race, that may be a crucial advantage to winning. As well, the extra fat may be a lot of 'brown' fat which at least theoretically, could help you generate body heat and possibly work at a more efficient temperature for those easily chilled extremities/etc, but that's just a theory.

Maybe not as much for a sprinter or pool swimmer like Phelps, but I think that marathon swim champion physique pretty much shows this is the case for long-distance swimming at least.
Last edited by: lightheir: Apr 2, 12 9:18
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