Years ago there used to be this thought that you had to eat within an hour after working out. Turns out that was a crock. Probably invented by companies. You are supposed to replenish before your next workout. Which is probably the next day, an hour or two before you work out. It kind of makes sense. I always felt fine the day after i hiked if i barely ate after, but figured i couldn’t do much. Then, I’d pound food down the next morning and was good to go. Im guessing most professional athletes do not eat their dinners at midnight, but they can still function the next day and are probably starving in the morning.