Long story short: everything, just in the right amount
CARBOHYDRATES
Most endurance athletes and coaches know how
important it is to maintain the body's carbohydrate (glycogen) stores.
They are also aware that, despite the fact that the depletion of glycogen may
be delayed to a degree, by consuming carbs during activity, the body's stock capacity can only provide enough energy for about 90 to 180 minutes before
fatigue sets in.
It is when these stores are exhausted that runners 'hit the
wall', cyclists 'bonk' and everybody is doomed to slow down. Some even to quit.
It comes without saying that prolonged exercise forces athletes to get the energy they need from additional sources. The basic rule is to load low glycemic index carbs 3 or 4 days before the race (will
digest slowly) and high glycemic carbs during the race so that the body can
absorb fast and efficiently.
Here is a table that you better remember by heart.
CARBOHYDRATES
It is when these stores are exhausted that runners 'hit the wall', cyclists 'bonk' and everybody is doomed to slow down. Some even to quit.
It comes without saying that prolonged exercise forces athletes to get the energy they need from additional sources. The basic rule is to load low glycemic index carbs 3 or 4 days before the race (will digest slowly) and high glycemic carbs during the race so that the body can absorb fast and efficiently.
Here is a table that you better remember by heart.
When?
|
How much?
|
Why?
|
3-4 hours before
|
2-4 g/kg bodyweight
= ± 210g = 840 Kcal
|
· Liver glycogen will be
filled
· Blood sugar will be maintained
· No hunger feeling
|
1 hour before
|
1-2 g/kg bodyweight
= ± 140g = 560 Kcal
|
· Keep the glycogen
reserves high
|
During
|
0,7 g/kg bodyweight every hour of sport in
intervals of 15-20 min
= ± 49g =196Kcal/ hour
è 50 kcal every 15 min
NB: You can go until 70-75 g/hour
= 280- 300 kcal / hour
è 70- 75 kcal every 15 min
|
· Keep blood sugar high
· Increase carbohydrate
oxidation
· Delaying fatigue
|
Recovery (until 2 hours
after race)
|
1,1-1,2g/kg bodyweight (preference for high
GI)
= ± 84 g = 336 kcal
|
· Recover the blood sugar
value
· Resynthesis of muscle
glycogen
· Restore muscle tissue
|
Main sources: Whole grain, apples, bananas, peaches,
asparagus, carrots, rice milk, lentils, just to name a few.
PROTEINS
Proteins alone do not provide energy unless
glycogen and fat are depleted and like fat, they can slow down your metabolism. You will
typically get enough protein for race day if you eat high quality proteins, such as whey, egg whites, milk, soy, as part of your daily intake. Small
amounts of protein during a race may reduce muscle damage. Recovery, however,
requires protein. The recommended ratio is of 3 carbs to 1 protein.
Main sources: Eggs,
meat, fish, chicken, cheese, beans... But you probably don't want to go for meat ;)
FATS
Another good source of energy during exercise is
fat. Fat has several advantages over
carbohydrates. As a matter of fact, it yields over twice as much energy as carbohydrate (9 kcal v 4 kcal). Add the fact that our body is usually loaded with a good supply of fat and you get a consistent amount of calories and energy. Typically, the body has approximately 50-60.000 kcal
of energy stored as fat compared to about 1500 kcal of glycogen.
One of the effects of endurance training is to make the body a more efficient fat burning machine. Fat is not the enemy, if your body knows how to deal with it.
However, despite the abundant store of this substrate, it is not totally clear where the fat used in exercise comes from. Most fat in the body is stored in the form of triglycerides in adipose tissue. Some fat, known as intramuscular triglyceride, is stored directly within the muscle fibres. It is now believed that the greater utilisation of fat by trained endurance athletes comes from this source. This has a very important implication, because the amount of energy which can be derived from intramuscular triglyceride is thought to amount to only 2000-3000 kcal.
One of the effects of endurance training is to make the body a more efficient fat burning machine. Fat is not the enemy, if your body knows how to deal with it.
However, despite the abundant store of this substrate, it is not totally clear where the fat used in exercise comes from. Most fat in the body is stored in the form of triglycerides in adipose tissue. Some fat, known as intramuscular triglyceride, is stored directly within the muscle fibres. It is now believed that the greater utilisation of fat by trained endurance athletes comes from this source. This has a very important implication, because the amount of energy which can be derived from intramuscular triglyceride is thought to amount to only 2000-3000 kcal.
Depletion of the intramuscular triglyceride stores is
now thought to limit endurance performance in much the same way as glycogen
depletion. It has been shown that the replenishment of glycogen stores alone is
not enough to restore maximum work capacity. Therefore, it may be just as
important to restore, or strive to spare, the body's intramuscular
triglyceride.
Although fats are vital for physical activity, most
individuals have enough body fat stored for energy during prolonged workouts.
However, increasing the fat intake will only lead to less consumption of carbohydrates impeding glycogen stores (glycogen being the immediate source of fuel for physical activity). Moreover, fats have the tendency to slow down metabolism in general. Consider fats as a reserve tank of fuel, but keep them to a minimum during training and racing (20-30%).
However, increasing the fat intake will only lead to less consumption of carbohydrates impeding glycogen stores (glycogen being the immediate source of fuel for physical activity). Moreover, fats have the tendency to slow down metabolism in general. Consider fats as a reserve tank of fuel, but keep them to a minimum during training and racing (20-30%).
Main sources: Fatty
fish such as salmon, nuts, cheese, avocado, …
Last but not least (and not to forget)
1. Fibers: prevent
gastrointestinal distress, they are difficult to digest, especially during high intensity training. Avoid whole grains and fruits with
skin. In general, keep fibers to a minimum, at least on race day.
2. Maintain proper
fluid balance. This is vital for an optimal performance
Have a nice race!
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