My conference meet is coming up in two weeks. I'm wondering if i went on a 2000 calorie a day diet (running 75-80 mpw) and lost a few pounds if it would help me race faster? I've read RWTB and i know Wetmore had them on a strict diet to lose weight before nationals. I've also heard of other programs really restricting their calorie intake so be the lightest they can. Would doing this just kill my energy and make me race worse, or actually help out?
Stupid - ask Ritz about calorie restriction.
too late to try it now. Try it early in the season next time
Anyone have any success with having large calorie restriction during a season?
im in the same boat - and im doing it, sucka.
ive done it before and it helps.
you have to calculate your dropped mileage too.
it's EASY to drop 2-4lbs in 2-3wks. Esp if you eat poorly. Just watch your energy levels and listen to your body.
you WILL race faster - unless you're a dumbass about it.
All these other posters are pussies.
You want to eat well before you work out and cut back at the other times. You will have the energy to do your workouts and not get rundown. Make sure you are well rested the two days before the race and your body will have time to replenish your cells.
2000 calories sounds about right and is plenty that you aren't going to starve in a week or two.
bump
no way. you need your food to build your body up, and get the benefit of all the training you've done. remember, training doesn't make you faster--recovering from it does. so you need to eat so you have the ability to recover.
Large calorie restriction during a season might make you feel good and light on your feet at first but its just going to make your body break down much faster and you won't be able to recover as well. The more intense your workouts and races are the more important it is to not have a colorie deficiency.
My advise... in the offseason eat right dont eat a lot of junk and get all your work in your weight will take care of itself and you wont need to worry about it during the season.
I'm not overweight. I'm at my normal racing weight. I would just like to lose a few pounds before my conference meet to have an extra edge, but i've never restricted calories like this before so i don't know if it's a good or bad idea. I know it works for some people.
unworthy wrote: remember, training doesn't make you faster--recovering from it does. so you need to eat so you have the ability to recover.
Good quote, but not entirely true. There are several aspects of running you can improve from training regardless of your muscular recovery.
i did it all last track season. went into my races just 1-2 pounds lighter than what I normally weighed. worked quite well for me
How much weight could i lose in two weeks?
1 or 2 pounds is safe, anything more and you are probably too depleated calorie-wise but if you haven't done this before it wouldn't be a good decision to change things up at the end of the season. go with what got you there.
If you stay at 2,000 calories a day, you will lose 2-4 lbs. I wouldn't do it any longer than two weeks during racing season though.
If you are peaking for a race, you are not going to be doing real hard workouts anyway. It is not like you are going to be fasting the whole time.
What about cutting carbs leading to the bog meet but then load a couple days before??