Nutritional preparation for Ironman racing is both a science and an art, with each competitor formulating their own mix of training and race nutrition strategies. However, most of what is being pushed by popular endurance magazines and supplement companies goes against what we at SFBB CrossFit believe in. As most of you that have been following us know, sugar is not our friend, and unfortunately that is exactly what is being pushed to endurance athletes. In long distance races, the push for sugar is even more prevalent. In my most recent Ironman race, I struggled with some stomach issues that I attributed to my bodies inability to handle the high level of sugar from gels, gatorade, and coke that was being offered in the aids stations after following a strict zone diet. So as a result here are some essential ingredients to race-day success. Below are some nutrition tips deserving of your time and attention in preparation for your next long distance race.

Your Daily Diet

Of course the quality of your daily diet is important for your health, vegetables, some fruits, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins, and adequate amounts of healthy fat comprising most of your caloric intake. But much of what distinguishes your training diet and affects your recovery is how you portion and time your food intake.

Match your nutrition plan to your training plan

Often referred to as nutritional periodization, this simply requires that you eat just the right amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat for that day’s training. You can have the best nutrition on race day, but if you do not feed your body appropriately every day, you will not arrive at the race in the best shape possible. That is why we strongly recommend that you measure your food. This simply step is critical in your success.

Long training days and intense training sessions mean that you burn through more muscle glycogen for fuel, and under consuming carbohydrate can compromise muscle glycogen recovery. Your body also needs plenty of protein when you are building your training program for muscle tissue repair and a strong immune system. As you may or may not know, we at SFBB CrossFit not believe that you need to go out there and do super long cycling days but we also know that some of you are going to do it anyway. If this applies to you then we recommend that you increase your fat intake.

Each Ironman competitor has his or her own training-specific nutritional requirements. But don’t underestimate the amount of food that you require for good recovery during IM training. On specific training days you may require anywhere from 3,500 to 4,500 calories daily. I can’t not over emphasis this enough. It has been my experience that the great majority of athletes underestimate the amount of good quality food your body needs during intense training.

Practice Recovery Nutrition

In addition to meeting your total nutritional requirements for the day, make sure that you practice recovery nutrition between training sessions. IM triathletes are in a constant state of refueling from long, intense, and multiple training sessions.. Immediate recovery nutrition starts the important refueling process and is especially important if you have less than eight hours recovery time before the next training session, and crucial if you have only four hours recovery time. Those of you that are in my endurance program this applies to you since we often train two a day.

Make sure that you have a recovery snack or meal providing 1.5 gram carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight, 10-15 grams of protein, and fluids and sodium to start the rehydration process. Eating and drinking every two to three hours steadily supplies your body with the nutrients to refuel and rehydrate. Triathletes often eat five to six times daily to support not only their recovery needs, but also to obtain a steady supply of fuel throughout the day and before training, without overeating in the hours before training. I prefer that your recovery snack or meal consist of whole foods but again, I’m a realistic and I understand that most of you do not have the time to prepare meals so our P90X recovery drink or meal replacement snacks are a good alternative.

Training Nutrition

At SFBB CrossFit we do not believe in high volume training but again we know that many of you have a hard time wrapping your head around our concept so if you still prescribe to the outdated theory that you need to conduct high volume training to be success then keep this in mind, your muscle and liver glycogen stores can run low during long and hard training sessions, so what you consume during training is essential to quality workouts.

Experiment with nutrition in training and be willing to try new strategies

Training is the most optimal time to experiment with nutrition strategies for refueling and hydrating for race day.. Ironman competitors are constantly trying to find that delicate balance of fuel, fluid, and electrolytes that both go down smoothly and that stay down. Often race day fuel needs can exceed your stomach’s capacity and intestinal tolerances. Experiment to find your favorite sports drinks, gels, bars, and electrolyte supplements, and learn about the products offered on the race course. Several weeks before race day have a plan for T1, the bike, your special needs bag, T2 and the run in regards to the amounts your should consume at specific intervals. Experimentation is especially important during long training rides that are followed by a transition run. But keep in mind that whatever your tolerances on this type of training day, you bike ride is followed by a marathon, so plan accordingly.

Consume a training nutrition mix of multiple carbohydrate sources

Research from the University of Birmingham in England indicates that doubling or tripling up on your carbohydrate sources can push your gut tolerance beyond the previously measured limit of 1 gram per minute (about 60 g per hour), and maximize your fuel absorption.. Common carbohydrate sources in sports nutrition products are glucose, glucose chains (often maltodextrin), fructose, and sucrose, which use a variety of transporters to cross the small intestine, after which they enter your bloodstream and provide fuel.

Two studies found that a glucose/fructose mix or a glucose sucrose mix allowed study subjects to absorb and burn carbohydrate at a rate of 1.8 grams per minute (108 g per hour) while cycling. Notes researcher Roy Jentjens, PhD, “The finding from our laboratory suggest that to get a high rate of carbohydrate oxidation, a mixture of glucose and fructose at 1.8 grams per minute may be the preferred combination. One study that looked performance results found that combinations of glucose + fructose and maltodextrin + fructose resulted in greater fuel delivery, reduced fatigue and better performance when ingested at a rate of about 90 grams per hour. When compared to a glucose drink, these carbohydrate mixtures have also been associated with faster stomach emptying and fluid delivery. Again, if you’re a CrossFitter following a zone diet, you are going to have to experiment with this at least a month before your race.

Competition

After all your practice and experimentation in training, much of your success on race day comes down to the nutritional strategies that work best for your tolerances and energy requirements..

Develop a race nutrition plan and schedule for the bike, run and transitions

After plenty of practice and experimentation, you should develop a race nutrition plan several weeks before the race. Plan ahead and know how many bottles to prepare for the bike, what to put in your special needs bag and what products you would like to use that are offered on the course. Many seasoned Ironman competitors advise to always pack a little extra, better to have some choices of bars and gels, than to fall short of what you need.

During all your planning, bear in mind the rules of gastric emptying

The more concentrated the mix, the slower it empties from your stomach. And all semi-solid and solid food should be consumed with water. As the race progresses you are less likely to be hydrated and your stomach will become more sensitive, especially on the run. Changing flavors and variety can help during your 140-plus mile picnic.

Optimal hydration is also important

Urine should be light in color, and take care to not overhydrate and increase your risk for hyponatremia or lowered blood sodium levels during the race. Make sure that you consume some good sodium sources and added salt in the days leading up to the race, especially if you are a salty sweater.

Dial in your race morning meal

The pre-race meal is the nutritional start of your day and it should leave you feeling physiologically comfortable and psychologically satisfied. Many competitors have some easy to digest solid foods, along with a good nutritional punch from liquid foods.

Summary Tips

Eat a quality diet but food portions and timing should match your training for optimal daily recovery, and for weekly recovery throughout your training program.

Experiment in training with sports drinks and other supplements to develop a race nutrition plan. What goes down and stays down, fuels and hydrates your body. Don’t overfuel or you will develop gastrointestinal problems.

In the days leading up to the race, eat enough carbohydrate to load your muscles with glycogen and optimally hydrate. Stick with safe and simple foods and sports nutrition supplement the day before the race and have a pre-race meal that favors liquid carbohydrate sources.