Training and "the bonk"
Another good base ride this weekend, 100k +, fine weather and a definite improvement in comfort if not speed.
Following on from R's comments on last weekend's post what is people's opinion on whether "hunger knock" contributes anything to training. I'm with R in that I always feel like it's doing me good to return home feeling totally drained. However, I can see that a total hunger knock probably has a detrimental effect on recovery. I suppose it can be useful if you're trying to shed a few pounds. I found this link which describes training using a simulated hunger knock to promote rapid weight loss. In fact the well known cycling trainer mentioned in the article seems to advocate it for this purpose.
Comments:
the article sums it up quite nicely...I did say bonk just before home as no-one in their right minds really wants to be riding to that extreme, however a large component of endurance is the ability to store and utilise larger amounts of available energy more efficiently, so this type of riding does this...
...I just hope it doesn't rain tomorrow...
R
By
...I just hope it doesn't rain tomorrow...
R
By
not sure I like the sound of this 'bonk training', 30 minutes on a stationary bike is torture enough without hunger pangs and visions of steaming croissants. Seriously it's probably very unwise without medical supervision.
For a regular morning 50k training ride with a long hill thrown in I'll usually eat 2 slices of toast and jam (really dense bread - 120g), a bananna and maybe a cake bar, then when I get back another bananna, dark chocolate, crackers and more snacking until lunch.
... probably all wrong but works for me :)
By
phill
For a regular morning 50k training ride with a long hill thrown in I'll usually eat 2 slices of toast and jam (really dense bread - 120g), a bananna and maybe a cake bar, then when I get back another bananna, dark chocolate, crackers and more snacking until lunch.
... probably all wrong but works for me :)
By
phill
Agreed, it's not something I am going to be trying.
The worst thing for me is when I get hungry on the bike I don't think about bowls of pasta and fruit, I start craving pizza and steak. I have to make sure I go shopping before the ride while my mind is sane rather than after when I'll just buy junk.
By iain
The worst thing for me is when I get hungry on the bike I don't think about bowls of pasta and fruit, I start craving pizza and steak. I have to make sure I go shopping before the ride while my mind is sane rather than after when I'll just buy junk.
By
iain
Hunger will do nothing good to your performance, neither now or later. If you don't have the energy to train at your planned intensity you will not stimulate your central and peripheral adaptations sufficiently, thus not improve your performance. If you bonk, you will probably need more training to recover and that will also result in decreased performance, since you don't make the expected progress.
I think it is 'No pain, no gain' attitude to believe that bonking will do you any good. If you are serious with your training, I woulr recommend you to have a proper diet before, during and after training.
/Jesper
By Jesper
I think it is 'No pain, no gain' attitude to believe that bonking will do you any good. If you are serious with your training, I woulr recommend you to have a proper diet before, during and after training.
/Jesper
By
Jesper
nothing wrong with (quality!) pizza and steak - pizza the night before a long ride gives a good recharge to your carbohydrate reserves and steak is useful for muscle development/maintenance and a source of iron...
It's beer, crisps, soft drinks and ready-meals you need to be wary of...
Totally agree with Jesper.
By phill
It's beer, crisps, soft drinks and ready-meals you need to be wary of...
Totally agree with Jesper.
By
phill
to follow this thread, how then can cyclists reach fat levels of 5%, albeit briefly...?
...an alternative maybe to bodybuild, eat like a rugby player and outsprint the over50s at the local TLI events...not a slope in sight...
R
By
...an alternative maybe to bodybuild, eat like a rugby player and outsprint the over50s at the local TLI events...not a slope in sight...
R
By
A better idea is to follow the "no-Feed Zone" idea, which is to not eat within three hours of a major ride. In order to accomplish this with good results on a ride, you need to be eating a normal, wholesome diet on a regular basis. If you have had a good meal like beans and rice with some chicken or something similar the night before a ride, you will have sufficient energy for an early morning ride. You may only need to to top off energy stores with a small banana or gel just before the ride. Then it is normal on-bike nutrition afer that. I have used this method to good effect for 50+ mile rides and felt good energy throughout. I take in about 200+ calories an hour and never feel the bloat or invisible anchor effect anymore.
Dan
By
Dan
By
its not a method to improve your performance, its a method to force your body to use your reserves of fat for energy rather than your breakfast..
By
Post a Comment
By