Not eating (fasting) for 12 hours before a race?

Trev The Rev
Trev The Rev Posts: 1,040
edited January 2013 in Training, fitness and health
Is there any benefit?

Comments

  • Froomes Edgar
    Froomes Edgar Posts: 359
    Why would you think there is?
  • Trev The Rev
    Trev The Rev Posts: 1,040
    Someone said they often go 12 hours without eating before a race. I can't see a benefit but I'm happy to keep an open mind, wondered if there was some new research.
  • Froomes Edgar
    Froomes Edgar Posts: 359
    Was this someone who would know? Or just some numpty on the internet?
  • Cookie91
    Cookie91 Posts: 97
    Less weight... also going for a number 2 seems to help me shed a few pounds for those hard climbs.
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Fasting when training has been discussed but I'm happy to keep an open mind
  • mooro
    mooro Posts: 483
    i seem to recall fignons book mentioned this as a tactic for racing. i think it was something to do with tricking your metabolism into using all whats in your system then there was a boost when you ate pre race. could be wrong.
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    Why 12 hours? Why not 8 or 16?

    If it's any help, I never fast for 12 hours before a race and I've never won the Giro.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    There isn't much benefit to carb loading.. but taking it to the other extreme doesn't seem necessary -> unless you want to avoid the inevitably disgusting toilets at the race?
  • mattshrops
    mattshrops Posts: 1,134
    GiantMike wrote:
    Why 12 hours? Why not 8 or 16?

    If it's any help, I never fast for 12 hours before a race and I've never won the Giro.


    Aha- therefore it follows to win the giro you must.
    Now just need to lose 20 years, get a pro contract, work as a domestique for years on the offchance i might get a team leader slot- and THEN i'll show 'em. :D
    Death or Glory- Just another Story
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Bettini was rumoured to go on very long training rides with very little food two days before a big one dayer so that the body would, apparently, over-compensate and take on and store more energy than otherwise.

    I don't think there's much science to back that.
    _
  • mamba80
    mamba80 Posts: 5,032
    with hindsight, you have to wonder whether some of these "tricks" pro riders used to explain their race results were to hid other methods of performance enhancement :)
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    mamba80 wrote:
    with hindsight, you have to wonder whether some of these "tricks" pro riders used to explain their race results were to hid other methods of performance enhancement :)

    Or to encourage other riders to do stupid things.

    If Bradley Wiggins now said that he won the TdF just eating lettuce, loads of people would start eating just lettuce.
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    Quite possible to fast for 12hr's without even thinking about it, if you have dinner at 5 and race in the morning......
  • Trev The Rev
    Trev The Rev Posts: 1,040
    Froomes Edgar wrote:
    Was this someone who would know? Or just some numpty on the internet?
    Dr Andrew Coggan PhD says he often does it.

    This article has some studies.

    http://anthonymychal.com/2012/05/interm ... -athletes/


    The other point of view.

    http://anthonycolpo.com/why-intermitten ... -up-to-be/
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    I can't see a benefit but I'm happy to keep an open mind
  • SBezza
    SBezza Posts: 2,173
    Depends on how long the race is doesn't it?

    Something like a 10 mile TT or a 25 mile TT you would probably get away with it, anything longer then I think you will seriously have issues towards the end of the race.

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