Illinois MS 150, or how I learned to stop worrying and love long-chain maltodextrin

[maryellen]

Interesting to read your post re hydration. I've always seemed not only to perspire more than most people, but my perspiration seems very salty (no, I don't compare mine to others).

I recently switched from plain water or alternating with replacement drinks to drinking "ultima replenisher," a sports drink with no simple sugars, during all my cardio off or on the bike (note, no commercial interest). I feel better both during and after. I used to feel waterlogged and headachy after a hard workout--I think it was from too much water without enough electrolytes.

Ultima replenisher isn't easy to find, but it's worth it. It comes in both tubs and packets. PS, I don't care for the wild berry flavor, but perhaps that's just me.

Congrats on do the 150 in hot humid weather. I believe you get extra credit for that!

[nuthatch]

Interesting you mention Ultima - I started using it a few weeks ago when Nashbar had a two for one sale of it. It works great for rehydration but I was puzzled that one of the ingredients was iron - 17% of the RDA. Most people don't need extra iron in their diets and I wonder what was the logic in adding it. Does it facilitate the absorbtion of something else? I know it's hard on the stomach for some people and gives the drink a bit of a "vitamin" taste.

[maryellen]

I hadn't noticed that (the print is awfully small, isn't it?). I've read some vague mentions re losing iron via perspiration, but I don't know that's the basis for it.

They do change their formula from time to time. When I first started using it, it was sweetened with stevia--which had a bit of an aftertaste.

[CorsairMac]

I've read in several online biking guides recently that long-distance athletes tend to be low on iron which may explain why they added it. and depending on how many mg you're getting - it may not upset the stomache that much.

So where can I find this "ultima"?......it sounds like something I might want to look into.

[nuthatch]

I've seen it in running stores but Nashbar.com has it as well.