Donut Training

With just days away from the Illinois & Utah tours, for some, it’s time to think about donut eating strategies.  For most of you, just a few donuts is all you’d want or can handle during the ride.  But for others, the tempting time deductions will lure those part time competitive eaters into pushing down more than the average mortal.

The Utah three time champ, Regan Fackrell, has devulged some tips to help those preping for the dozen club.  I’ve listed them below along with some other experience riders I’ve spoke to, and, a real life competitive eater who will also be joining the ranks in this year’s Illinois Tour.

But first, some quick facts:

2010 Illinois Tour

3,925 (327 dozen) donuts eaten - 1,107 finishers
Average number of donuts eaten per rider = 3.55
26% ate 0 - 59% ate 3 or less - 5% ate a dozen or more
Most donuts eaten – 25 Andrew Mullins, 17 Tammy Bauer
Course record – 33 Steve Meinke (2008), 19 Anna Witt (2006)

2010 Utah Tour

1,036 (86 dozen) donuts eaten - 255 finishers
Average number of donuts eaten per rider = 3.58
19% ate 0 - 64% ate 3 or less - 5% ate a dozen or more
Most donuts eaten – 25 Regan Fackrell, 12 Cortney Dreiske & Sandy Baker

Now for Regan’s tips in bold and comments from others:

Tip #1

Set a goal for how many you can eat and stick to it !

Other Riders (OR): This is true with anything, including eating.  Remember to set a realistic goal.  Most of us can’t eat a dozen donuts.

Competitive Eater (CE): To set a realistic goal, I like to practice eating the actual food in a set amout of time to get an idea of how I’ll fair against other eaters.

Tip #2

Eat 2/3 of your goal at the first stop (i.e. goal of 21, eat at least 14 at the first stop)

OR: Very true!  Most riders felt this was dead on.

CE: I’ll be using the ¾ rule.  A goal of 20, 15 at the first stop and at least 5 at the second stop.

Tip #3

Pick up as many donuts as you can and start eating them (i.e. grab at least 4 in each hand). Once you have committed and taken a bite, you will make yourself finish.

OR: Most riders I spoke to like to eat in sets of 3 or 4 and not in each hand.

CE: I’ll use the 1/3 rule here.  If your goal is to eat 12 at the first stop then eat in increments of 4.

Tip #4

Drink enough water to keep your throat moist, but not too much.

OR: Very true again!

CE: Try flavoring your water with something that isn’t sweet.  Mixing up the flavors will help get down those extra donuts.

Tip #5

Eat fast. There is a delay in the stomach telling your brain that it is full. The longer the breaks between bites, the more time for your stomach to start screaming!

OR:  Most riders had mixed feelings about this one.  Eat at a pace which is comfortable for you.

CE:  This one I don’t agree on.  Eat efficiently, not fast.  The more you chew up the food, the more digestable it becomes, and the less space it takes up in the stomach.  The body is very smart.  Your not going to fool it by eating fast.

Tip #6

At least one week prior, stretch the stomach. One way is forcing yourself to chug water. Kobayashi (the hot dog eating champ) will force himself to chug a gallon of water in less than 2 minutes every morning!

OR:  Most think it’s best to eat a large meal the night before.  Maybe something high in carbs.

CE: I agree on stretching the stomach before competition.  However, water is not a good choice.  And definitly not a gallon.  I use a liquid that contains electrolites such as gatorade.  Drinking large amounts of water is very risky and can lead to water intoxication.

There you have it.  Even though every tip was not agreed apon, you can’t argue with the results of a three time champ.  Set a goal, do the math on how many to eat and when, and practice.

Good Luck!  Comments and opinions are always welcome and encouraged.

Lets hear your thoughts.

Greg Acres