Fueling

[kelownagirl]

Right now, all I ever drink is water and if I'm riding longer than 2 hours, I'll pop a few shot blox. Do I need to take anything different for my sprint tri which is only 1.5 hours but probably be hot, and I will be going all out? Electroytes or ? If I should be considering that, I want to try some now so I can see what my tummy will tolerate. Suggestions?

[Veronica]

When I'm just riding I can do two hours on just a gatorade/water mix. But there is something about running. I need to have something at about the hour mark if you throw running into the mix. I like Hammer Gels. They are a little messy, or I'm a little messy But they sit well and I can eat them on the move.

I'll be experimenting on Sunday with Sustain in my bottle for the ride. I use it all the time on my long rides now, but I want to see how it sits during the run.

V.

[kelownagirl]

When I'm just riding I can do two hours on just a gatorade/water mix. But there is something about running. I need to have something at about the hour mark if you throw running into the mix. I like Hammer Gels. They are a little messy, or I'm a little messy But they sit well and I can eat them on the move.

I'll be experimenting on Sunday with Sustain in my bottle for the ride. I use it all the time on my long rides now, but I want to see how it sits during the run.

V.

What's in Hammer Gels? Anything different than shot blox?

[Veronica]

I think for me the big difference is I don't have to chew a gel. I'm not sure I can chew and run.

The ingredients are totally different. Shot Bloks have more sodium.

Eating Shot Bloks on the bike will get you through I would think.

V.

[kelownagirl]

I think for me the big difference is I don't have to chew a gel. I'm not sure I can chew and run.

The ingredients are totally different. Shot Bloks have more sodium.

Eating Shot Bloks on the bike will get you through I would think.

V.

I figured I'd eat them on the bike - yeah. But I can eat them when running - I've tried. More proof that I run too slow?

Oh, and so far the gels I've tasted were GROSS!

[Veronica]

I figured I'd eat them on the bike - yeah. But I can eat them when running - I've tried. More proof that I run too slow?

Oh, and so far the gels I've tasted were GROSS!

No, I think it just means you're more coordinated.

The only gel I like is espresso flavor.

V.

[alpinerabbit]

Right now, all I ever drink is water and if I'm riding longer than 2 hours, I'll pop a few shot blox. Do I need to take anything different for my sprint tri which is only 1.5 hours but probably be hot, and I will be going all out? Electroytes or ? If I should be considering that, I want to try some now so I can see what my tummy will tolerate. Suggestions?

I read 200ml of sports drink or one gel 20min before the swim. Your glycogen stores should last at least an hour. In fact, I think the glycogen stores are underestimated - I read something like 2-3000 calories is stored!
*Maybe* pop another gel on the bike, drink water on the bike and then water at the aid stations on the run?

I think the electrolytes should be taken up before the race if it's so short. I've been loading Mg all week and will nicely salt my pasta tonight.....

[teawoman]

I read 200ml of sports drink or one gel 20min before the swim. Your glycogen stores should last at least an hour. In fact, I think the glycogen stores are underestimated - I read something like 2-3000 calories is stored!
*Maybe* pop another gel on the bike, drink water on the bike and then water at the aid stations on the run?

I think the electrolytes should be taken up before the race if it's so short. I've been loading Mg all week and will nicely salt my pasta tonight.....

I found I cramped up into the run when I didn't take in any gatorade on the bike for one sprint tri. That was more electrolytes, tho...I had enough energy. I made sure I didn't do that again and it has not happened since.

[Urlea]

When I did my sprint-tri I stuck to shot blox (taken on during the bike portion, I'm another one who can't run and chew at the same time. ) and gatorade.

It worked great for me, although gatorade has more sugar then I care for and when I'm racing sugar just isn't appealing. I did find something that I am interested in trying as an alternative. It's called Mona.Vie and comes in a bottle and in active gels. Have any of you tried it?

As far as gels go, I tend to stick to the citrus flavors like lemon, lime or orange that way my taste palette isn't expecting a whole lot and I'm not left with a weird after-taste. So far all of the hammer gel flavors I've tried have tasted pretty good though. Apple cinnamon was surprisingly tasty which seems strange to say about a gel, but it was.

If it's really hot, maybe have a separate bottle with water by your shoes in the transition area for T2 and grab that for the run. I found that I was thirsty before reaching the water-station.

HTH!

[kelownagirl]

When I did my sprint-tri I stuck to shot blox (taken on during the bike portion, I'm another one who can't run and chew at the same time. ) and gatorade.

It worked great for me, although gatorade has more sugar then I care for and when I'm racing sugar just isn't appealing. I did find something that I am interested in trying as an alternative. It's called Mona.Vie and comes in a bottle and in active gels. Have any of you tried it?

As far as gels go, I tend to stick to the citrus flavors like lemon, lime or orange that way my taste palette isn't expecting a whole lot and I'm not left with a weird after-taste. So far all of the hammer gel flavors I've tried have tasted pretty good though. Apple cinnamon was surprisingly tasty which seems strange to say about a gel, but it was.

If it's really hot, maybe have a separate bottle with water by your shoes in the transition area for T2 and grab that for the run. I found that I was thirsty before reaching the water-station.

HTH!

Maybe I should have my fuel belt for the run? It has 2 10 oz bottles and is fast to put on.


I have a bento box for shot blox too.

[jesvetmed]

I just got a Bento Box before the last tri I did. LOVE IT! That was so much easier than trying to get into a pocket and having open stuff floating around my pockets. Only problem, when I stand to pedal, my inner thighs hit the edge!!!!!! Not probably a fault of the box, itself!?

I opened the shot blox and my luna moons and just stuck them in there in their open packages-- felt like I was at the buffet while riding!

[Urlea]

Maybe I should have my fuel belt for the run? It has 2 10 oz bottles and is fast to put on.

I have yet to try running/racing with a fuel belt, I usually use something like this...

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25549

It seems to me that the water bottles would jostle around with the belt and I'm already wearing one belt (Race # belt). But if you already know it works for you, it's quick and wont slow you down...I say go for it. In my mind it's better to have brought extra and not needed it rather then be wishing I had part way through the race.

This is a great thread! I'm looking forward to trying some of the other ladies suggestions in the future.

[Kimmyt]

The only gels I can handle on a bike are the chocolate ones, because the consistency feels more natural than if i were eating a gooey fruit one.

Also, the benefits for gels on a bike are that you can tape them to your frame in such a way that you can just rip off the gel and the tab stays taped to your bike, then you just suck and don't lose speed as you do it. I would imagine it'd be hard to fiddle with the shot blocks and bags.

K.

[Veronica]

I would imagine it'd be hard to fiddle with the shot blocks and bags.

K.

I have a small bento box on my bike and I dump the blocks right into it.

V.

[alpinerabbit]

I found I cramped up into the run when I didn't take in any gatorade on the bike for one sprint tri. That was more electrolytes, tho...I had enough energy. I made sure I didn't do that again and it has not happened since.

I do not think you can lose enough electrolytes on a sprint to cramp. Musta been psychological or you hammered too much. Or you were low from the start.