Discussion: Not hungry anymore...

I just recently ran a 10 hour event, and was consuming 250-300 calories per hour, but then found at around 7-8 hours, my body just didn't want to eat anymore...

I didn't bonk, my stomach wasn't upset, although I started to find myself hungry at around 9 hours but I just didn't feel like eating. I was getting a bit tired, but it was a physically demanding event so unlikely lack of food related... it wasn't a big deal in this case as the event was pretty much over.

I was just curious if others experience this, whether they found it passed without it impacting performance, or whether I should just force myself to keep eating? [A tri friend suggested having a high calorie mix/shake on hand at this point, easy to consume but not real "food"]

CarboPro in your water bladder is another way to get 'free' calories - as in you don't have to work too hard to get them into your system. I feel the same way that you're describing at pretty much every race I ever do. However, I know that if I don't, I'll suffer in the long run and force myself to knock back easy-to-eat things like cheese-strings, candy, Ensure...

I am exactly like that, and I found Perpetuem works really well for me. If I don't eat or take in some type of calories I eventually start to bonk. I also use Boost/Ensure although I find that doesn't sit as well with my stomach if I am doing a lot of running after consuming.

What they said. Also, I find that Honey Stinger Energy Chews always (so far) appeal to me, even when I'm not hungry but know I need to eat. Salted cashews are a close second and are appallingly loaded with calories. Everyone is different but perhaps there are some foods that appeal to you later in an event. There are some things I normally love (e.g. Oreo cookies) that do *not* appeal after awhile and some things I never have (e.g. Coke) that taste delicious after hours of exercise, so it's a trial and error thing.

Cool thanks for the tips... I assumed it was normal, and that I'd suffer eventually if I didn't eat something regardless...

In the beginning I had to force nutrition in!! But after a while it became routine.
One thing that helped me was consuming electrolyte & salt pills based on the conditions and your body requirement. I found that when I am low on salt or have electrolyte imbalance, I don't feel like eating. Not sure how far this has any medical merits but it works for me. I carry pills and use just water - this also shields me from situations where different drinks are being provided at aid stations for different races and my body rejecting it during the race!

And when it comes to what I consume - key for me is variety! There is only so much that appeals to me & only for so long. So I switch things up through the season or for races! Gu gels, Honey stinger stuffs & ensure are my fav currently but couple months later I will go back to something else.. hammer gels, Power bar chews & boost!!!

Hmmm... being a night race and lower intensity, I focused less on salt. That and a leaky valve on of my bladders reduced my water intake towards the end. Perhaps that was a factor?

I'm surprised I can still stomach Roctaine... bought it in bulk at massive savings, and I never want to see Mandarin flavour again :-)

Where'd you buy Roctane in bulk for massive savings?

I would buy & stock Roctaine if they sell them in those big bottles like hammer do...They are by far the best tasting gels out there!

I lucked by it Harps at a running store... it was end of stock/close to expiry so they sold it to me at $1 a gel so I bought a couple of boxes. I'm sure I'll never see that price again...

I agree Chief, they are easy to take!