Hy vee race on sunday am. I am planning on cutting fiber out of my diet starting on friday. Cutting out either by eating zero grams, or thinking of eating less than 10 grams on friday and less than 5 on saturday.
I am doing this because when I go beyond threshold pace I often have GI problems, which is attributed (i think so anyways) to my high intake of fiber. I’d say on a daily basis I eat anywhere from 40-45 grams a day (just an estimate, I don’t keep tract) but I eat a lot of veggies/fruit/whole-grains etc.
My main concern is this; If I cut out fiber completely will this have an adverse effect on me? For reasons of cutting it out “cold turkey?” Or will my stomach welcome the change?
Thoughts…
In my experience I have much better races with limited fiber intake the days leading up to a race (2 days before)
I find that in a race of any distance racing on a full stomach (lots of fiber) is not a good idea because it makes it hard for you to handle the fluid and calories you are going to consume during the race. My personal experience has been to drastically reduce fiber intake 2 days before the race and eat lots of small meals with minimal fiber. It can be hard when you are used to eating lots of fruits and veggies because they tend to satisfy your hunger by filling up your stomach. To combat this eat a little more fat to satisfy your hunger. I have learned through trial to avoid the pre night carbo loading routine and eat a normal to smaller dinner and making my pre race meal small with more fat (bagel w/ peanut butter). I do not get hungry during the race and can take in more calories and fluid when I need it during the race. This may not work for you but just a suggestion
Fishy … how’s Fayetteville? I lived there for 7 years and miss it a bunch … some great training there!
Fiber … do limit the amount of fiber you take. How much? hard to say w/o a little trial and error with your own training. I don’t think you need to eliminate it from the diet but as the day goes along Saturday i would eat less and less … eat an early, easily digestible meal for dinner and do the same for breakfast (early, limited to no fiber). You want any breakfast solids to be completely digested well ahead of start time! Don’t change the nutrition drastically … similar foods, maybe just different composition.
Hope that helps … my best to Fayetteville!