Perhaps you should pick up a copy of Chris Carmichael's "Food for Fitness" at the library. Eating better before, during and after your long rides may cutail those cramps and improve performance.
I'll look into it. It's not so much my before/after food that is doing me wrong. I eat very healthy when I'm not riding, especially now that our CSA has started up and much of our food is coming from our farm share. It's really the "during" food that seems to be the issue; less with the quality of it, and more about the quantity when I'm riding solo. During the Mountain Loop 200k (see previous entry) I didn't have any problems, and I think it was due in large part to eating every time I saw my ride partner eating. When I'm left to my own devices, I almost need to set an alarm to remind myself when to eat and drink to keep myself caloried up and properly hydrated.
You might have "caloried up" as you say, however, most of it was fat and high fructose corn syrup, not very nutritional, and low in good carbs! Get the book!
By the way, I don't think your cramp issue is due to not enough fuel. If I read right, you had a Sausage McMuffin (370 calories), 2 Snickers Bars (542 cal) and a Clif Builder's Bar (270 calories). Nearly 1,200 calories should be plenty to get you through a 4 1/2 hour ride. Sounds like you had plenty of fluids and electrolytes too. I sometimes don't eat that much on a 200k. Maybe it's what you're eating or you were pushing the pace beyond what those muscles can handle.
I think it was a little bit of both. While the McBreakfast isn't the healthiest option, it has long-standing been my "best performance" breakfast when riding, so I stick with it. The candy bars, however... not the best choice when pushing faster than usual, on less training than is optimal.
I fell into a funk, somewhat work-stress based, somewhat S.A.D. because of weeks on end without sun, and my training routine suffered for it: I wasn't doing my 30mi/day commute or being consistent about hitting the rollers every night.
Comments 5
Like your blog.
Rick R
Ohio
Reply
It's not so much my before/after food that is doing me wrong. I eat very healthy when I'm not riding, especially now that our CSA has started up and much of our food is coming from our farm share. It's really the "during" food that seems to be the issue; less with the quality of it, and more about the quantity when I'm riding solo.
During the Mountain Loop 200k (see previous entry) I didn't have any problems, and I think it was due in large part to eating every time I saw my ride partner eating. When I'm left to my own devices, I almost need to set an alarm to remind myself when to eat and drink to keep myself caloried up and properly hydrated.
Reply
You might have "caloried up" as you say, however, most of it was fat and high fructose corn syrup, not very nutritional, and low in good carbs! Get the book!
Rick R
Ohio
Reply
By the way, I don't think your cramp issue is due to not enough fuel. If I read right, you had a Sausage McMuffin (370 calories), 2 Snickers Bars (542 cal) and a Clif Builder's Bar (270 calories). Nearly 1,200 calories should be plenty to get you through a 4 1/2 hour ride. Sounds like you had plenty of fluids and electrolytes too. I sometimes don't eat that much on a 200k. Maybe it's what you're eating or you were pushing the pace beyond what those muscles can handle.
Reply
The candy bars, however... not the best choice when pushing faster than usual, on less training than is optimal.
I fell into a funk, somewhat work-stress based, somewhat S.A.D. because of weeks on end without sun, and my training routine suffered for it: I wasn't doing my 30mi/day commute or being consistent about hitting the rollers every night.
Reply
Leave a comment