Post IMC consumption

[MikePritch]

I can't stop eating. it's unbelievable, half gallon choc icecream gone in two days. shawn burke's bike calories are a mere appetizer. i can't get full. i need to start training again, quick.

:D

[Lee]

One of the biggest factors in my weight loss was NOT doing an IM this year. Long training sessions give me an insatiable appetite. I was reminded of that after biking the RAMROD course and the North Cascades Highway last week when I couldn't stop eating and put on a few pounds. I'm back on track now.

[chrisesposito]

One of the biggest factors in my weight loss was NOT doing an IM this year. Long training sessions give me an insatiable appetite. I was reminded of that after biking the RAMROD course and the North Cascades Highway last week when I couldn't stop eating and put on a few pounds. I'm back on track now.

There was a recent NY Times article about this, entitled "Why Exercise won't make you thin". For me, long rides (of the length you would do for an IM) are a big cause of weight loss for me, as my appetite is reduced after a long ride after eating some immediate recovery food.

[Cindybigglestone]

My two cents....

Its a matter of eating the right foods that actually fill you up and don't leave you hungry with in the next couple of hours. I haven't workout out other then walking the dogs every day and I weigh less then going into Ironman. I will eat what ever I want the day after a race then its back on track with healthier choices. Its frustrating to see athletes with real potential eating cheap processed foods even skinny athletes can get clogged arteries :eek:

[ShawnB]

I can't stop either. It's only lunchtime and I've already put down 2500 cals of CarboPro, 4 PowerGels, and a tube of ShotBlox. Is that bad?

[Lee]

My two cents....

Its a matter of eating the right foods that actually fill you up and don't leave you hungry with in the next couple of hours. I haven't workout out other then walking the dogs every day and I weigh less then going into Ironman. I will eat what ever I want the day after a race then its back on track with healthier choices. Its frustrating to see athletes with real potential eating cheap processed foods even skinny athletes can get clogged arteries :eek:

I totally agree. I guess what happens with me is when I'm fatigued, I don't make the effort to eat right which does not satisfy my appetite. I gained a bunch of weight being hungry all the time and I lost a bunch of weight not being hungry. I guess it's important to me to build my training up slowly so I am not overwhelmed by long training periods. No more eating ice cream out of the container or eating an entire Costco pizza in one sitting anymore either. ;)

[robertl]

Im glad im not the only one, i think i run toe the fridge faster and more often than i ran on the course! Im starving all the time..

[Cindybigglestone]

Hey Pritch...is this your race report :confused: better write one up before the next ice cream purge or you'll go into food shock and forget what happened on race day.

[MikePritch]

Cindy, I have a high tolerance for ice cream, so no chance of food shock. although some details i might like to purge from memory.

here's the quick IMC recap.

swim: started on the left/center. I seeded about 3 back. just as i'm lining up I hear Rico saying, "sup dawg." Perfect, 2,700 at the startline, and i am standing next to my Samena swimlane mate. This was cool, plus he's swam well here the last two years and this makes me feel good about the start location.

At the start i took about 5 steps, let some space develop from those in front, and dove in. I had minimal contact except a few occasions where i was boxed in. Running up the ramp i hear/see Ben yelling encouragement, also tells me Dan is just ahead. Nice. Swim time 1:08 (1 min faster than last year and felt easier.)

Bike: plan is basically to let HR dictate the pace and ensure the right nutrition. HR plan is to ride at/or below levels from last year. Nutrition plan is 800 calories till special needs (includes 400 in water bottle + 4oz gel flask), reload at special needs with another water bottle + gels. Total caloires 1,300-1,500. Also took 10 endurolytes, approx 1 every 30 mins.

I started on the bike just fine. HR settled much faster than experienced at Troika. I drank water only till beyond the McLean Creek climb. Rode very close to target HR to this point. Between Oliver and Oysoyoos I lost focus and rode 5 to 10 beats higher than target. I did chill once i reached the hill prior to Oysoyoos. I rode Richter very easy - probably 5 beats from goal target.

One of my bike objectives was to ensure i made it to the out/back section feeling strong. Strong is probably not how i'd describe the feeling that day, but it wasn't bad and i managed Yellow lake and the final descent feeling fine. Throughout the ride I kept asking myself will I be able to run. The answer is never certain, but I did get off the bike feeling ok.

by the way, the bike was completed on a P2C with some damn fast wheels - thank you Ben! The early season issues I had with the aero position improved over the summer. The position felt ok for the IMC ride, but i did sit up when needed.

Bike time 5:25 (1 min faster than last year.)

Run: walked out of t2 carrying a water bottle and some gel blasts. First two miles felt difficult and slow - consistent with how i felt last year in first couple miles. Between miles 3 and 5 things started to feel easy. I was thinking this might be the best i have ever felt in an IM run.

The first half felt good and clicked by. At aid stations i was taking water and cola. I completely neglected endurolytes. Coming back up the hill after special needs i started to cramp in the left quad. immediately dug out endurolytes and took two. A few minutes later both legs were involved. I shortened strides and backed way off. This helped resolve the cramps but I struggled. final couple miles were extremely difficult and slow. Issues may have included a bonk because i was having trouble responding to anything including some great support from teammates and others, not to mention competitors running by me.

Run time was 3:38 (1:44/1:54, last year 3:30)


I am happy with the day but regret the pacing mistakes made early on the bike and run. Next year will be far more disciplined on the bike for the first 40 miles. Same for the run – goal pace for miles 1-3 will be 8:30/mile.



The other IMC highlight is racing with so many friends, hearing incredible support on the course, lots of Vo2 shout outs, and witnessing others deal with their day - all extremely inspiring no matter the result.

I’m looking forward to trying again in 2010.

[Lee]

Nice job Mike. 2010 means a new AG for Pritch!!