Metabolic rate, diet and training

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I'd like some nutrition advice. I train and race at the elite level. I have lately found myself tapped out before the end of hard races and training rides. I thought I was eating and drinking enough on the bike, but perhaps not quite. I am 5'4" and about 118lbs - about 18% bodyfat. I recently took stock of my diet, and added up the calories (I never diet or pay attention to my intake because my weight stays consistent) and I am only taking in around 2,000 calories a day! Not nearly enough for the amount of training and racing I do.
So why don't I lose weight? If I start packing on calories, will I gain weight? Have I been starving my system into a low metabolic rate? And if I start eating a lot more, will I actually lose weight???
Time will tell, I guess.

Originally posted by pedalchick
I'd like some nutrition advice. I train and race at the elite level. I have lately found myself tapped out before the end of hard races and training rides. I thought I was eating and drinking enough on the bike, but perhaps not quite. I am 5'4" and about 118lbs - about 18% bodyfat. I recently took stock of my diet, and added up the calories (I never diet or pay attention to my intake because my weight stays consistent) and I am only taking in around 2,000 calories a day! Not nearly enough for the amount of training and racing I do.
So why don't I lose weight? If I start packing on calories, will I gain weight? Have I been starving my system into a low metabolic rate? And if I start eating a lot more, will I actually lose weight???
Time will tell, I guess.

I'm no expert, and if you are training at an elite level, you probably need an expert. However, my opinion would be that your intake is very low, and that's probably why you are getting tired.

How much protein are you getting in your diet? Training hard will put a high demand on your body to build muscle. You could be starving it of protein, or even worse, because your calorie intake is lower than demand, your body might actually be burning muscle to supplement your food intake - which would be another reason for you getting tired,

If you are placing that many demands on your body, you must fuel it properly - including sufficient protein.

you might have stressed your body into performing with less calories than it needs. you definitely need more fuel when your in the saddle, and the only way to find out if you'll gain weight is to try eating more. i'm guessing that if you slowly add more calories week by week, your body will readjust.

~the turtle