May 19th, 2009
I am a large fan of most all endurance sports and power endurance sports that Cross Country Skiing would most likely fall under.
And I have noticed that weight always seems to be a factor considered among top athletes.
Whether they are cyclists, mountain bikers, runner or skiers.
It seems to me that there are training weights and race weights for many athletes but I am concerned about how athletes are getting down to these lower weights for the most important competitions of their season. It seems to me that calorie restriction is a dangerous game because you are going to need your strongest immunity and recovery at the same time you have been losing weight.
I can fluctuate as much as 10lbs in a fiscal year but it is usually without effort. It is most likely do to my over eating in the off season or Spring Training cycles.
I am currently at 172 lbs and probably the heaviest I will be for the rest of the year. And although I would prefer to be lighter I don’t really care enough to do something about it right now. From my experience I can perform very well anywhere from 170 lbs -160lbs and my performances have more to do with how well I am recovering, sleeping and the quality of training leading in to performances. Because on race day if I am in good form I feel like I could carry ten pounds on my back and I wouldn’t even know it. Oh yeah I have to I am a Biathlete and its called a rifle.
So I would really appreciated some input on this subject. I understand it can be considered a pretty private subject stay so that anonymous if you prefer.
I am interested in what methods athletes are using to increase weight, decrease weight or even maintain weight throughout the vigorous training and racing year.
Maybe your weight doesn’t even bother and like me you just eat healthy and you just eat, sleep and train.
May 21st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
While I am just a lazy nordic skier (no weight on MY back) I do find training and racing much easier when I am lighter. Lighter is relative of course as I usually get pretty close to 200 lbs in late April. I feel the best at 190-193, especially when running. I love looking up my BMI as I end up around 25 or the low end of the “overweight” range but my body fat is between 7 and 12%.
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
What I have found in between the seasons, my eating continues in large amounts. So I try to cut back my portion sizes when the training / racing decreases. Biggest problem for me are the sweets. When trying to shed weight, I of course cut the portion size and cut out the sweets, beer and watch the fat intake. Still trying to maintain a balanced diet and suplitment with a good multi vitimin. (First Endurance or Hammer Nutrition come to mind.
Just getting in the habit of smaller balanced meals will help. Don’t shed weight durring the racing season, start long before and do it slowly and then maintain. When racing as a cyclist, I’ve always heard the wifes tales. “Don’t eat after 8pm”, “Leave the table hungry”. When I start to shed weight It’s always the first two weeks of it that are hell. Just getting the body used to eating normal again. As endurance atheletes, we can sure pack the food in. Like you my weight varries between 160’s – 175. My Vo2 / Lactate test show that my ideal weight is around 164. I try to maintain that in race season. I think the weight does have a factor and is shown in V02. My vo2 is worse when heavier, and my exercise enduced asthma can get worse also. In training, just make sure your getting ample rest no matter what your weight, if it’s a day off a week or just active recovery day. Listen to your body and rest when tired.
May 22nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Thanks for the replies guys. It is interesting to listen to other experiences. I think I could work on having smaller portions sometimes but I certainly don’t not have the will power to leave the table hungry day after day or not eat after 8. Trying to sleep hungry seems counter productive for recovery.
It is interesting that you have found a exact ideal weight. How did the lactate test help you zero in on this weight? It would expected that your would Vo2 would increase with weight loss but in the past when I was at my lightest, my running speed greatly increased but I did not have the power in my skiing and it showed come race season. I could even feel it.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
To keep my weight down I only eat spinach and cottage cheese during the summer.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Godfather,
You must be incredibly lean but how do you perform in the race season?
May 27th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Great topic and comments. As we seem to agree here, optimal weight is specific to the individual and a fairly touchy topic. I agree with you Scott that there is likely a specific weight for training and racing. We see this all the time with cyclists who try to cut the pounds up top before the season to simply have less to haul around. The basis of this focuses on improving the power to weight ratio. That is, if a skier can have less weight to haul around and keeps his/her strength and endurance capacities equivalent, one should expect faster times (and probably a higher VO2max also!). The question is, how should this be done?
I don’t have any knowledge of how to answer this question, but I have observed that the Norwegians seem to have this mastered without actually trying. If you look at Bjørndalen and Svendsen, they both have a fairly low BMI (body mass index), but are amazingly strong. They generally have less muscle mass than the rest of the crew on the WC. In other words, Norwegians are skinny and strong as heck. Maybe it’s the bread and cheese, or something in the water
May 27th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Hi Mark,
I am not sure of Bjorndalen’s or Svendsen’s height or weight. Maybe you know? I imagine you gained a lifetime worth of Nordic Knowledge from your time spent in Norway.