Dealing with the heat

[OakLeaf]

Sounds like an ad for cheap-@ss sports drinks, to me. There are a lot of ways to replace electrolytes.

I can't have anything with fructose when I run or ride. Doesn't matter if it's some nasty Gatorade with HFCS, honey, or an orange.

For the marathon, when I knew I'd be relying on water stations instead of packing my own electrolyte replacement, I taught myself to swallow Endurolytes capsules on the run. Not so hard once I got the hang of it - tried several methods, wound up with tucking them under my tongue until I get water into my mouth.

If you're supplying your own electrolyte replacement, you can bring whatever combo you like - the lowest-budget option would be to mix some salt with whatever else you want, and add a calcium/magnesium supplement pill if you need that (I definitely need calcium/magnesium if it's going to be long or hot, or even middle-distance if it's intense).

[OakLeaf]

My criticism was directed at the link, not at you. Mixing your own is a good option and one of the ones I mentioned.

The link specifically instructs the reader to train themselves to drink whatever will be offered at their event. Which means (1) buying some of it themselves, (2) drinking a lot of it in a probably futile attempt to make their gut tolerate something it just won't tolerate, and (3) consuming it at the event.

Maybe I'm just extra sensitive to viral marketing and product placement. But I can't see why a nutritionist would advise athletes to drink something that they know makes them sick, unless it was at the urging of a sponsor.

[tiva]

On the pickle juice thread, where consensus seemed to be that acids help reduce cramping, someone suggested switchel, an old summer drink that farmers used to drink in very hot weather.

To one pint of water, I add 2 T of apple cider vinegar (Braggs), 1 T of molasses, 1-2 t of powdered ginger, and a pinch of salt. I think it's delicious, and it seems to help a bit with the heat and cramps.

I also make a sports drink with 2 T of lemon juice (which contains a lot of potassium), 1 T of sweetener (we have bees, so I often use honey), and a pinch of salt--but the switchel tastes better.