When it comes to long Zwift rides and endurance training, one of the most commonly overlooked factors is recovery, and more specifically, nutrition. Too much emphasis is placed on the physical work, and the amazing resource of proper nutrition and its ability to boost performance goes untapped.
Any athlete can slog through a long ride, but it takes true discipline to maximize performance with pinpoint dietary intake. Research has shown drastic performance differences between athletes who have the discipline to maintain a nutrient delivery protocol compared to those who don’t.
If taking your cycling to the next level is something that interests you, and/or you are getting ready to break your Zwift ride-time record, then keep reading!
Intra-Ride Fueling
As you set out for a long Zwift training ride or race, you should be focused on ingesting foods and fluids that will support your glycogen stores. Research has shown that for extended bouts of high-intensity exercise, ingesting ~30–60 grams of carbohydrates per hour via a 12 fluid ounce 6-8% carbohydrate-electrolyte solution, every 10-15 minutes is the most effective means of supporting glycogen stores (3). Simply stated, you need to ingest close to 15 grams of carbohydrates every 15 minutes—with a drink being the efficient method of delivery and easiest on the digestive system.
Not all sports drinks are created equal, however. Traditional ones are littered with unnecessary dyes, chemicals, and saturated with sugar, but it is super simple to make your own! For a basic homemade drink, try mixing one to two tablespoons of honey, lemon juice (or any citrus), a pinch of sea salt, and a splash of coconut water into 10 ounces of water. Get creative and make a drink that meets your digestive and taste preferences by adding in other ingredients. The simpler the mixture, the less “extra” ingredients your body will have to digest. Other great sources of sweetness for your homemade drink are maple syrup or pure organic fruit juice mixtures. I personally prefer an apple/pear juice mixture with pomegranate, YUM!
Speaking of Hydration
Hydration is an often overlooked nutrient during endurance training, especially when riding indoors in a hot environment with limited air circulation and evaporative cooling. Like glycogen stores, being hydrated is something that cannot occur from one day of increased intake. It takes multiple days of strategic water intake to properly saturate the cells. If ingested too quickly, the body will signal the need to expel water which will take vital minerals with it during the elimination process (1). In the days leading up to your long Zwift ride or race, sip water continually throughout the day, accounting for 50-75% of your body weight in ounces at a minimum. The amount of water needed is exceptionally higher if you train multiple times a day.
The effects of exercise-induced dehydration on endurance performance are well documented with several studies showing that a 2% reduction of body weight can lead to higher levels of perceived exertion, increased core temperature, and increased cardiovascular strain (5). To avoid the detrimental effects of dehydration, aim to match intake with water loss. This may require more frequent drinking and should occur before the sensation of thirst arises.
Thirsty Yet?
If an athlete waits for the sensation of thirst to arise before drinking, then important physiological factors have already occurred. Thirst is triggered by a monitoring system whose job is to maintain a homeostatic level of blood plasma. There is an ideal value of hydration in blood plasma, and if this value dips below a specific level, the body releases hormones that will pull water from urine and the salivary glands in an effort to boost hydration of blood cells and introduces that terrible ‘dry mouth’ feeling. These hormones, notably Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), will also shunt off blood flow from the extremities (i.e. legs!) and force it into the core (4). This sequence of events can reduce your overall power output as blood is needed to provide oxygen and nutrients to those big ol’ quads. Therefore, it is important that you are drinking continually throughout the ride and drinking before the sensation of thirst arises!
Avoid Palate Fatigue
Eating the same foods over and over can induce a reluctance to eat or even make some foods unpalatable. Luckily, there is a huge variety of options out there if you are creative enough. Dates are an excellent carbohydrate source and naturally have a mushy texture that allows for easy snacking. They also act as an excellent “adhesive” for creating your ideal in-race nutrition.
Try mashing up a handful of dates and rolling them out with a rolling pin, so that you have a date “sheet” or “foundation” about a half inch thick. Add in some extra flavor layers that suit your digestive abilities. A solid choice is a thin layer of nut butter, and a thinly-sliced layer of water-packed fruit such as honeydew or pineapple. Once you are satisfied with the contents, roll up the entire sheet and cut the sheet into bite-sized chunks suitable for easy access and digestion.
Skip the Fats
Fats have a huge importance in an endurance athletes diet, but when it comes to long Zwift rides, it is best to skip fatty foods like nuts, seeds, oils, and large amounts of peanut butter and its variations. Riding at high intensity and ingesting fats increases the potential for GI distress and a feeling of nausea.
Optimize Your Protein Intake
Protein plays an important role in both pre-fuel and post-fuel nutrition for endurance athletes. Proteins play a massive role in the various functions of our body! It has been found that including some protein into your training may be able to help boost fitness performance. However, it is also important not to overdo your protein intake as this can lead to digestive distress.
Here are some general protein guidelines to follow:
- During Training: ½-¾ grams of protein/lb. of body weight per day during your training period. The Meal Before Your Event: Two to three hours before your event, strive to get 10-20 grams of high-quality protein in.
- During Your Event: If you are exercising or training for longer than four hours, it is recommended that you get about five grams of protein per hour to help support performance and replenish your body.
- Recovery: Right after your event, you will want to replenish your body by getting about 10-20 grams of protein from a post-workout meal.
Conclusion
Hopefully the information above has given you to the ammunition to build better dietary habits to boost performance over your next long Zwift ride. Hydration, nutrient intake, and timing are essential if you wish to take your rides to the next level. Remember, any athlete can slog through a workout, but it is the disciplined athlete who maximizes every detail to enhance performance!
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