We Attempted An Ironman Without Food & This Is What Happened!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.ย. 2022
- Can you complete an Iron-distance triathlon completely fasted, only being allowed fluids? We’ve experimented with various different fuelling sources on the GTN channel over the years, but this could be the ultimate challenge! Could Heather or James complete it?
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What other insane challenges would you like to see us take on?
Let's get James to do a challenge like Heather, Frazer and Mark have done in the past! For example Mark completed the Norseman, Frazer did the Celtman, Heather recently did the crazy Swedish SwimRun world championship. We want to see what James can do and keep inspiring us :D
Do Ironman Waco October 15th and then do IM Waco 70.3 the next day on October 16th. I agree that this should probably be James challenge! Way to go Heather, you are a machine!
I still think a self supported full Tri but through mountain trails 🥳. Lots of vert 🏔! Some good old trail running and mountain biking 💪🏽. Epic night running and maybe some biking in the dark too. Filtering water and relying only on the fuel you’re carrying.. sounds pretty evil to me 😜.
A simple challenge, who can run the fastest point to point 1/2 marathon from three separate locations but they must keep their heart rate in Zone 2. Anything below or above will add penalties to their overall time .
Winter is coming. Indoor iron distance? Pool + power trainer + threadmill
There’s a reason Heather was an Olympian… elite mental strength. My new mantra when in a dark place during training and racing “Be more like Heather” 💪🤯
28:57 "keep going at a really low intensity" aka she ran 33k at my 5k pace (after having already been out there for 7 hours without fuel) 😂😂
Whoa, Heather! Absolutely amazing! You are such an inspiration. Sure you are fast and physically accomplished, but the mental toughness is astonishing. Heroic!!!👏👏👏
Totally impressive indeed
Heather is a boss! Total baller!
She deserve a Kona Slot after such a « BigDay training session » … or at least a Kona Diary presented by Heather for the Woman Race should be enormous
But how long was there fast? They said they had eaten last night. That could’ve been eight hours ago or 12 hours ago
Respect
Heather just showed that difference between a professional and an olympian. You're a beast!
Heather is a beast!
irl Super-girl
But how long was the fast? They said the last time they ate was last night so was that eight hours ago was it 12 hours ago? I run a 5K every single day while fasting and usually that time at least 12 to 16 hours of fasting before I run
@@HH-gv8mx a 5 k and a 11 race race are vastly different
@@Kwildcat13 I don’t disagree with you. My question was how long was the fast? And I should’ve said I run at least a 5K every day most days it’s a 10K. Plus body, core work
@@HH-gv8mx You cannot compare a 5k run with a full ironman distance... 🙂
Heather, that was absolutely epic. mad respect
WOW! I'm speechless. The empath in me was crying when James called it quits followed up by Heather being terribly cold and miserable. Ive raced been freezing and could only imagine how they were feeling being cold/ wet/ and no fuel. Heather absolutely crushed it! I was rooting for her to just keep moving but I'm so incredibly in awe that she made it with 9km to go! wow!
spoilers!
Heather is so good yet humble. Such an inspiration.
Heather is my new hero and I have no interest in doing a triathlon, but loved the warts and all approach to this. Good to show the honesty.
I have no words... I'm sitting here watching Heather do her unfueled Ironman whilst I eat a hearty meal and I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I cannot imagine that kind of fortitude. You're an inspiration!
damn. don't know what else to day. great job Heather. the mental strength you need to go 10 hours at that pacing w/out any caloric intake is unreal. truly inspiring
I don't normally comment on anything, but what an amazing effort from Heather! Truly inspirational!
Heather is such a freaking monster. Heads off to her big time!! Very impressive
Heather & James well done on doing this challenge. Total respect for you both.
Been watching GTN for years, you all continue to educate and entertain. From newbie to experienced triathlete, GTN has been the staple show for triathletes.👍🏽
Thanks Norman - glad you enjoy the content!
Before I even watch this, I know heather will be absolutely fine. I’ve seen too many endurance TH-cam videos and she has been on the move for 5 hours and casually announces she has only had 1 jelly baby!
Classic!
Right but how long did they fast? They said the last time they had eaten it was last night. But was that 12 hours ago was it 8hours ago? I usually work out at least four or five times a week while fasting for at least 12 to 16 hours before I work out.
@@HH-gv8mx I love how smug people get about fasting/intermittent fasting even though there's minimal science behind it and for every 1 study suggesting a benefit there are 20 suggesting the opposite
@@nk-dw2hm I have only heard about the benefits of intermittent fasting. I’ve never read one study that says anything different. You were the first person ever even heard make such a comment. What are the negatives
of intermittent fasting?
Amazing! Cold and rain on the bike is the worst even with proper fueling. What an effort. Fascinating that Heather was even able to start the run then actually felt better as the fat burning really kicked in. Well done both of you, especially Heather!
When discussing a master's thesis topic with my mentor, I proposed a training protocol in a glycogen depleted state to see if the body could become more efficient at using carbohydrates. He suggested that mostly it would just make subjects feel like garbage and they'd learn that they don't like exercising while glycogen depleted. It would also be hard to get subjects to come back repeatedly to feel like garbage. So I did a different thesis. This looks horrible. And a massive kudos for what y'all completed
Wouldn't that just be ketosis? Loads of people train in a ketogenic state in order to adapt and have more stable energy during sport. I'm actually surprised this video didn't mention any of that.
Heather is a warrior!! Kudos to James for the impressive effort. I would be interested to know how was the recovery in the following days? How does the recovery compare to a similar effort with proper fuelling?
You guys work so hard to give us outstanding content. Thank you for your suffering. This was so over-the-top that perhaps it could be cross-uploaded to GCN. Heather is basically Wonder Woman to me; that's some real grit.
Even with ideal conditions this would be extremely daunting, but in those conditions... brutal. Hats off on to both of you!! Glad to hear for safety you were wearing the cgms.. And I hope that information can help in understanding the processes involved to help those (diabetics) that have to deal with the highs/lows manually every day (exercising or not).. and for others to get a better understanding of what it is like with for those that do.
Also, I hope you are able to continue wearing the cgms for at least a few days after that to monitor your levels as the stress/eating could having varying impacts.. for example, could stay low, could spike etc. although you may not really know if not having a baseline to start from.. but knowing the numbers (like when in the 60s) feels like helps to recognize that
Incredible work from you both, especially for Heather’s mental fortitude battling through the run, just incredible
OMG Heather!!! You're a Hero!! Absolutely incredible - so proud of you! Who cares about those 9km. I cannot believe you managed to do that!!!!
Some serious grit from both Mark and Heather! That being said, this is the coolest video ever from GTN and I’ve been loving your content for a long time! Heather was insanely inspirational - that was sooo awesome! What a beast!
I did a 20k run the other evening (before dinner) after skipping breakfast and lunch and no bars/gels and was pretty chuffed: this puts that into perspective!
Well done guys!
Hats off to both of you for even trying this. James, I’m sorry the weather was as cold as it was as I am confident that you would have been able to push thru a bit longer if not for that. Heather, that was truly awesome, even your pacing was clockwork. Definitely indicative of very strong aerobic fitness/efficiency (low HR, fat burning zone at those paces!). As I said, hats off!
Did no one check the forecast? 😂 Amazing effort both!
Hard to believe we planned this on the one bad day of summer this year 🥲
What a journey! Heather.. just wow!! You are The Real Wonder Woman 💪🏽. That was pure awesomeness. Can’t forget Hangry James 😜.. that was darn good effort too 🤙🏽. Thank y’all for taking us on another adventure. Crazy watching y’all go through the same emotions that we go through (just at a faster pace 😅). Weather seemed to have impacted you for sure. Once the sun was out, the mood n energy changed. Y’all are awesome.
That was inspirational from you both very well done both solid efforts.
Im training for my 2nd IM 70.3 while suffering effects of depression and you guys have truely inspired me thankyou
The results and conclusion were what I expected.It would be interesting to see the difference if you both were in fat burning metabolism for at least 2 weeks prior to the experiment rather than expect your body to switch in the midst of a big effort. Kudos for what you accomplished.
Heather is no more negative without any fuel than most people are during an Ironman. Only thinking of stopping that late is hectic. Crazy but well done.
I remember asking this question in GTN coach's corner on a fasted state attempt on an Ironman distance. Thanks for making a video and that too in the extreme weather. Great inspiration you guys are.
When Heather started the run I was at the edge of my seat. Huge respect!
Wow!! Well done on the challenge and especially Heather, for just sucking it up and showing absolute grit and mental toughness!!
But I feel you all were not prepared for the weather! The challenge was just to do an Ironman without fuel so why suffer in the rain? Couldn’t you have just dressed warm? May be that would have slightly made things better ? It just then would have been only the lack of fuel instead of now lack of fuel and not prepared for bad weather.
Amazing Heather!
Really looks like what one goes through when having GI issues during an ultra - can't stay warm, low energy, sluggish. Even James dizziness feels like the biking version of 'zombie-walking' which happens when you're at your lowest and just stumble around...
The bike looked horrible and to see you both suffering and presenting at the same time as well as trying to ride safely in the wet, hats off to you both 👊💥👊💥
My god. I did a 70.3 yesterday and ate 450g carbs during (it took me just under 6hrs as I am a slow man). I needed every gram! This performance from Heather is astonishing.
Under 6hrs is everything but slow. 99% are not able to finish!
@@ralfmimoun2826 that's kind! I do just struggle a bit on the bike and it's a long time out there.
Heather's glucose time plot shows the tendency of the liver to generate glucose when deep into an event. This is what ketogenic century runners experience. The difference is that they start keto adapted (takes about 3 months) for their sport and supplement gels and other carbs so that they can keep the pace high. If they experience gastric distress, then they have a strong ketone burning training to rely on. Congrats to both of you for making it as far as you did. It is lonely out there.
Great going, & some nice shots of Lake 32!
I don't uderstand why you'd try to ride in that weather in just a tri suit though!
Wow Heather, I take my hat off to you! And to James too, it took a lot of grit to get as far as you both did. Kudos and respect to you both. And Heather just wow, amazing.
Wow! Hats off to you both. That was an intense challenge and impressive feat to make it that far.
As someone who has experimented with fat adaptation and fasted training, I sympathize with James 100%! So kudos and nothing but kudos to Heather. That must've been brutal!
This is a brilliant experiment! Especially when others can do it for you!
Heather, that was absolutely incredible. Insane. Glad you didn't break yourself completely.
Brilliant video - I completed the 70.3 there this year but had the benefit of the sun and fuel. But, what a lovely course - you have to revisit it in the sun! Well done to you both - what a challenge! But, hats of to you Heather! Frigging amazing mental strength to keep going - we've all seriously bonked and know how hard it is. AMAZING!
Most impressive triathlete of 2022 goes to HEATHER!!! Though I quite liked Hangry James, that was so impressive I think you'll be reclassified as something other than human.
This was an interesting experiment. Way to go, both of you!
Heather, I was literally rooting for you the whole way. It's such a shame you didn't go to the end, but as you said yourself, "What's the point?" There's no point killing yourself for something that, at the end of the day doesn't mean anything. You did absolutely incredible. Every so often you see someone, and there is nothing else you can do but take your hat off to them - that was genuinely phenomenal. That being said though; although "it didn't mean anything"; what it does mean, is when you're in an actual race, where you're well fuelled but struggling; you now know (if you didn't already know) that you have an extra little bit left in the tank that you can dig into; to push you on. Well done. Seriously well done. That was amazing.
Oh my god, kudos to both of you for attempting it and Heather, you're a legend for pushing through without any fuel. Got an Ironman coming up in less than 4 weeks so this has been a great watch and gave me some tips on self-talk.
Good luck with the Ironman - hope it goes well!
That was nuts!
Cudos fir the hardcore perseverance and protecting yourselves by stopping and calling it to look after your bodies.
Well it’s given me some motivation for my up coming Ironman that I’ll definitely be fuelling on.
Great video and challenge!!! Inspiring and challenging.....showing mental toughness for sure. That cold weather does or does not help???
Amazing and super insightful video! Love the channel and it's content, you guys are simply mega inspiring!
Thanks so much Ramon!
Oh my god, Heather is AMAZING!!! what an incredible human being - the mental strength anyone can aspire to
Goodness!! Heather was my hero before but now she's my hero twice or three times over. Fantastic work, I'm glad you were being as safe as you could about it, but damn!
I do train my body to use body fat when training: no fuel before nor during training. I've noticed that when racing this gives me a really strong response to fueling: a little sugar makes wonders. Before I did this kind of training, I needed much more fuel while racing and the performances where inferior.
My philosophy as well. By training your body to go without 'fuel' I believe you will never hit a sudden wall during an event as your body will know how to adapt when it runs out of 'carb' energy and will switch to ketones with ease.
You guys are awesome!! Loved every bit of this video. Please don’t extreme things however keep going on with your regular things.
this is me during tri's. I'm diabetic so this is my struggle! And i don't inject insulin. I take a pill version of it so I can only have 15g carbs at a time. I'm struggling on the nutrition aspects actually. And when your blood sugar drops, SO DOES YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. So it can get...dodgy (and dangerous). I've actually nearly passed out after a race. While I'm moving, my blood sugar raises, i think this is due in part to cortisol. It's when you stop (aka in transition) where you're in trouble. FYI. And continuous glucose testing meters ARE NOT ACCURATE for RAPID blood sugar drops or raises (they are 5 min behind your actual reading). So by the time the dip registers, you might be in serious trouble. And you're right, the headache is the warning sign. If you ignore it, the next symptom is your vision is impacted. meaning everything becomes insanely bright like the world is suddenly backlit by the world's strongest LED lights. You can only see bright lights or darkness. NO COLORS. Then dizziness. Then lights out (meaning you pass out). After finishing, I can eat carbs (lots of them -- more than 15g) and my blood sugar will not rise that day. it takes me about 48 hours to fully recover.
Absolutely enjoyed it ❤️. Thanks for doing this experiment.
Mad respect to you guys! I'm following a fasting regime whilst preparing for a marathon and considering running one while on a fast. After your experiment, I feel like reconsidering my approach :D
I think you have a great goal. Especially if you all ready train fasted, your body will allready be adapted.
I would recommend taking electrolytes, in the absence of sugar intake you can take in more than regular during a marathon.
Good luck what ever your strategy will be.
Once you are fat adapted it’ll be a piece of cake! I’ve been running up to half marathon fasted, last meal around 2pm the day before and I don’t even think about food till I’m finished let alone get hungry. As mentioned electrolytes are key. I like to have lots of veggies, especially spinach for the potassium. Make your own drink, I have salt, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar(with mother). It tastes great and works amazingly. Good luck!
I'm on my knees. Absolute respect to both of you !
Heather is an absolute weapon, I can't do park run without breakfast. Great role model for young women everywhere!
Fantastic effort both of you, Heather, you are incredible, that was a fantastic effort! Well done.
Great to hear James' 'crisis mode' recovery strategy! That's some great advice. And good on him for being sensible and pulling the pin to avoid hypothermia. Being an Australian who did 2022 Norseman NXTRI (-2 degrees and ripping winds on the Hardangervidda, without changing into dry clothes at T1), I've been there too, but fortunately fully fuelled and able to access some thermal kit. Good work for staying safe 🙌
Crazy! That’s an insane undertaking! Awesome effort by Heather!
“Kinda faucked off at the British weather main” brilliant
Heather you are an absolute boss! This was an amazing feat of endurance and mental strength.
Suggestion for next "without" venture ...... a solo skydive without a parachute !!
That is absolutely incredible. What amazing, inspiring people.
this was crazy and so impressive. Great content!
22:30 probably Gluconeogenesis, where your body starts to convert stored energy into glucose again.
Is the human body one great adaptation machine, or what 😁
Amazing work!! I'd like to understand the science of what's happening physiologically a little better. More GTN science videos!
I agree. I wonder in particular, what explains James' lower start. Is it the nutrition from the previous day? Something else? What about the way the curves went through the day: Heather was cold and so was James probably. Could Heather be more cold adapted but would James, being more massive, be better at retaining heat? There is so much to look into...
Heather that was extraordinary! Big respect to both of you for hanging in there. I know the feeling, it sucks.
The two of you are incredible. Heather you are on another level, much respect to the both of you 👏
This was really amazing on Heather's part, close to superhuman actually in that kind of weather! Looks like even the Universe took a note when the weather improved for the final leg.
Just a bit of a remark: not sure who's done the research for that quick "science intermezzo" by Mark but one can't under no circumstances fuel any activity solely by fat, whether alimentary or from the body reserves. To burn fat or more precisely acetyl-CoA from breakdown of fatty acids, the body requires some glucose to be utilized as well. Without any external supply available and after exhausting one's glycogen stores, this vital glucose will come almost exclusively from proteins of the muscle tissue.
Thank you Heather you are really a inspiration. Everybody watching this will find some extra Heather Power during the next competition.
Wow, this is an amazing challenge!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing 😱congratulations 👏always interested in subjects like that. Keep the good work 👍💪
Thank you! What should we do next?
Hats off for this one. Did the whole bike on nothing as an experiment once. Felt pretty rough by the end of that. But this is nails
That was BADASS! Massive respect! So cool
Thanks Heather, you motivated me through a zwift session 👍
Awesome work!
Thanks a lot for this very informative video.
Absolutely insane! Total beast, you are amazing!
Wow Heather, great effort...completely bonkers but very impressive. Really well done and now you know how dark you can go and still do well!
Heather you are a warrior!
Very impressive! Really like these type of videos
Thanks Hidde!
Thank you for all you do, guys.
That was incredible, I was rooting for you guys to stop because it felt so unsafe on the bike. But the mental strength was inspiring and just out of this world. Wow.
Awesome effort! Not surprised you made the correct decision at the end. 😃👍
This is a great challenge! I have to say, that many repeated laps in each leg would drive me absolutely bonkers.
Strong efforts!
Thanks a ton!
Women are just designed for survival. Endurance is the one place where women can excel relative to men, get less fatigued for the same relative effort and this shows, also can endure dire conditions and bounce back better than men. Add to that an olympic mentality and you get this amazing performance. Fuel is so important :) ha ha
Very impressive. I learned a lot and will never do it at home! Recovery may be with you! 😉
I wonder. Would James have made it, if he had been wearing more (thermal) layers on the bike?
Whoa Heather, absolutely smashed it. Your performance just shows what capacity for endurance women can have and why women's sport should be in the main stream media.
Thanks Reuben.
Really impressive!!! The pure idea seems to be insane, but it is a great performance!💪💪💪
Absolutely amazing! Hats off to both of you… and Joe Dubai is spot on: Heather is a beast!
Fantastic effort both of you! Do you think the dip on the bike and the recovery on the run had anything to do with the weather clearing up and not using calories to stay warm?
Awesome effort! Would love to see Heather race an Ironman after seeing this
What epic performances!!For diabetics and others out there from the UK and much of the world (other than US, Continental Europe) the BG levels mentioned are not what you would recognise because mmol/L are used by medics rather than mg/dl. 1 mmol/L equals approximately 18 mg/dL.
Oh man! Props to you guys for doing this challenge. And, man, Heather is amazing! What a superwoman! 😮