About half-way through Matt Fitzgerald’s “Racing Weight.” Actually, its my second read after reading it last summer, but I never really applied any of it last time and have forgotten most of it by now. I’m not 100% sold on his approach, as it says incredibly complicated I do like his idea that by reducing weight and increasing power, you will increase speed. Depending on what measurement you use, I am currently 10-20 lbs over my “racing weight” with my goal race on 10/27.
So (another) ST poll (you can tell I like these).
Post your age, gender, height & weight (optional), and your tri goals (AG podium, overall podium, PR, just frackin finish, etc.). Then post if whether you follow an intentional diet, and if so, what?
I’ll start. 26, Male, 72" (1.83m) 175 lbs (roughly 79.38 kg), current goals are to finish better than average for my AG, but would eventually like to be AG competitive in the Oly distance. I currently try to generally avoid meat and get most of my calories from plants, but typically fail miserably at this. I (obviously) want to become better about it and find something with more of a metric to tell me how I’m doing.
I currently try to generally avoid meat and get most of my calories from plants, but typically fail miserably at this.
Bluntly, there’s the metric that tells you how you’re doing (emphasis mine). If you want to become better about it, then be better about it. Nutrition is one of the few things in this sport that doesn’t take natural talent or base & technique before you get better at it, it just takes discipline. If you’re diligent about it then wherever your weight falls is where it falls, and that’s where you race.
Unless you’re racing against me, then you should totally focus on underfueling and overtraining to get as skinny as possible no matter the cost.
Sure I’ll play even if this may just be a bad attempt to get some measurements of the womens you might want to PM
Male, 5’10", currently 165, race weight 155. To get to race weight I just eat less and try to avoid cake. I just finished a piece of my wife’s left over birthday cake and contemplating another.
[quote
So (another) ST poll (you can tell I like these).
Post your age, gender, height & weight (optional), and your tri goals (AG podium, overall podium, PR, just frackin finish, etc.). Then post if whether you follow an intentional diet, and if so, what? quote]
Fun!
29, F, 63", 125lbs, top 15 at 70.3 Worlds, KQ in 2015
I know people are saying diet is the easiest…will power and all. In practice it’s not easy all of the time-at least for me. So, this year I worked hard to be more of a mindful eater. Am I hungry? Is it healthy? These two questions I ask myself before I eat. Now my power is 3.8 watts/kg–an improvement from both training and eating better. Power to rate ratio and all.
5’11" 163lbs now. Race weight target, 159-160, but I lacked the discipline to stay there this year. I was there for about 2 weeks, then I went to NOLA on vacation for 4 days.
Keep in mind that in season, dropping weight while trying to increase strength is a tricky business. Shorting yourself on calories could come at the cost of building less mucles and reduced recoery rate. Lower recovery rates, means you can’t train as hard.
In the early season during base training I cut down on carbs but maintain protein and fat levels in order to shave calories. If needed I’ll go to a very low carb diet. But I hope ot have enough discipline thsi winter so I don’t have to diet much at all and my increase training volume will take care of my weight management.
Ultimately we’re still only talking 2-3 seconds per mile pace. SO even in a IM, that’s about 3 minutes on the run. So you see that you could easily overshoot and being low on energy or strength could cost you 5min+ on the bike and run.
Belwo abotu 10%BF, you have ot be careful and pay attention to how it effects yoru performance.
I currently try to generally avoid meat and get most of my calories from plants, but typically fail miserably at this.
Bluntly, there’s the metric that tells you how you’re doing (emphasis mine). If you want to become better about it, then be better about it. Nutrition is one of the few things in this sport that doesn’t take natural talent or base & technique before you get better at it, it just takes discipline. If you’re diligent about it then wherever your weight falls is where it falls, and that’s where you race.
Unless you’re racing against me, then you should totally focus on underfueling and overtraining to get as skinny as possible no matter the cost.
I agree, but that assumes that the goal of avoiding meat and getting most of the calories from plant-based foods was correct. Even then, it becomes a numbers game. Should I get 70% of my calories from fruits & veggies? Is making sure I have veggies with every meal sufficient (assuming a good faith effort, not eating 2 carrots and then a piece of cake)? My point on the “metric” was that I’d like something more clear than simply trying to “eat healthy” and then feeling like I don’t if I have some chips and queso with my meal (live in Texas) and then eat a salad with no dressing for my entre.
Sure I’ll play even if this may just be a bad attempt to get some measurements of the womens you might want to PM
Male, 5’10", currently 165, race weight 155. To get to race weight I just eat less and try to avoid cake. I just finished a piece of my wife’s left over birthday cake and contemplating another.
Possibly off topic. I started skimming through “Racing Weight” after reading “The Secret Race” by Tyler Hamilton. Right now I just can’t take anything in “Racing Weight” too seriously after reading about Tyler basically starving himself before his bike races. I know. I know. It’s irrational, but I also remember a pro here describing her meager diet and well…I think there is a lot more eating disorders in triathlon/running/cycling than books like “Racing Weight” like to let on.
You train with each session having a purpose, so do the same thing with your meals. Eat with a purpose - fueling & recovery is different than just filling your stomach because you’re hungry. My take is if you’re just filling, go heavy on the veggie.
I think it’s a little different for a cyclist and a short course triathlete. Long course triathletes seem to be able to have a bit more muscle than short course athletes because the training is a bit different. There was an article in Triathlete I read a few days ago with a pro saying that they didn’t see eating disorders in long course athletes but did in short course. Which makes sense because in a shorter race the more excess muscle one has takes up needed oxygen from the muscles that are doing the work. And cyclists starve themselves because of the watts/kg thing. But what the book they only do it before certain races, Tour de France, Giro, etc. depending on what races they are peaking for. And it also makes it a bit easier to starve yourself when you are taking EPO and blood doping. But that’s another story!
Male, 28, 6ft. 160ish and I podium at most races but am focusing on Oly this year with a 3rd AG finish at Muncie 70.3. I don’t follow an intentional diet other than try not to eat too much bad food and eat more healthy and that works for me. I could lose a few more pounds I’m sure and after my last tri of the season I will try to get down to 155ish for the Chicago Marathon.
I think it’s a little different for a cyclist and a short course triathlete. Long course triathletes seem to be able to have a bit more muscle than short course athletes because the training is a bit different. There was an article in Triathlete I read a few days ago with a pro saying that they didn’t see eating disorders in long course athletes but did in short course. Which makes sense because in a shorter race the more excess muscle one has takes up needed oxygen from the muscles that are doing the work. And cyclists starve themselves because of the watts/kg thing. But what the book they only do it before certain races, Tour de France, Giro, etc. depending on what races they are peaking for. And it also makes it a bit easier to starve yourself when you are taking EPO and blood doping. But that’s another story!
This is interesting. I need to read that article. I don’t know a lot about the sport of cycling, so Tyler Hamilton’s book just opened my eyes.
As someone new to the sport who got into it to improve my heath and now find myself addicted, might I ask what is considered the best books on the subject of race weight/nutrition?
I’m down 27lbs in 11 months and am training at minimum 5 days a week. Getting involved with this sport has had a tremendously positive effect on my health and self esteem but as I’ve gotten in deeper I realize I still have a mountain to learn.
As someone new to the sport who got into it to improve my heath and now find myself addicted, might I ask what is considered the best books on the subject of race weight/nutrition?
I’m down 27lbs in 11 months and am training at minimum 5 days a week. Getting involved with this sport has had a tremendously positive effect on my health and self esteem but as I’ve gotten in deeper I realize I still have a mountain to learn.
Good question. I wonder about this myself. So far I’ve bought and skimmed through “Racing Weight.” I have read “Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes.” I really like it, because it is clear and easy to follow with regard to how many calories to consume and when (base, build, pre-race). What I’d like is a book that has suggested menus. I’m just clueless most of the time. Anyone have any suggestions?
I think it’s a little different for a cyclist and a short course triathlete. Long course triathletes seem to be able to have a bit more muscle than short course athletes because the training is a bit different. There was an article in Triathlete I read a few days ago with a pro saying that they didn’t see eating disorders in long course athletes but did in short course. Which makes sense because in a shorter race the more excess muscle one has takes up needed oxygen from the muscles that are doing the work. And cyclists starve themselves because of the watts/kg thing. But what the book they only do it before certain races, Tour de France, Giro, etc. depending on what races they are peaking for. And it also makes it a bit easier to starve yourself when you are taking EPO and blood doping. But that’s another story!
This is quite counter to my experience and observation. I have personally found that more long course athletes have eating disorders. You are carrying that extra weight for potentially 8-9 hours. If you come in with an extra 5lbs to start, you have to carry that the entire race. It might also be easier for long course athletes to drop weight, since they need to peak less often. They might have 2-3 key races a year vs ITU pros doing 5-8 key races on the circuit each year. Lots of the marathoners are working on cutting weight for specific races and training at a much higher weight for health reasons.
I think it would be hard to characterize athletes body types by short or long course. Lots of ITU pros are very small people, short and very lean. But, some of the best aren’t built like that. Put Frodeno up against Gomez and Brownlee, big difference and still both are Olympic champs.
About half-way through Matt Fitzgerald’s “Racing Weight.” Actually, its my second read after reading it last summer, but I never really applied any of it last time and have forgotten most of it by now. I’m not 100% sold on his approach, as it says incredibly complicated I do like his idea that by reducing weight and increasing power, you will increase speed. Depending on what measurement you use, I am currently 10-20 lbs over my “racing weight” with my goal race on 10/27.
So (another) ST poll (you can tell I like these).
Post your age, gender, height & weight (optional), and your tri goals (AG podium, overall podium, PR, just frackin finish, etc.). Then post if whether you follow an intentional diet, and if so, what?
I’ll start. 26, Male, 72" (1.83m) 175 lbs (roughly 79.38 kg), current goals are to finish better than average for my AG, but would eventually like to be AG competitive in the Oly distance. I currently try to generally avoid meat and get most of my calories from plants, but typically fail miserably at this. I (obviously) want to become better about it and find something with more of a metric to tell me how I’m doing.
Am I the first female to respond? Hmm. Anyway, 30, Female, 66", 134 lbs, current goal is to PR in 70.3 this fall. I try to keep my diet centered around lean meats and proteins, good fats, and fruit and veggies. I don’t always succeed, but it’s not the end of the world.
