Electrolyte tabs

[Catrin]

I picked up a sample package of Skratch today. I don't like processed options, but figure I need to have a backup plan for my 100 miles of loops at the 24 Hours of Booty at the end of June - especially if it is hot/humid. At least I can pronounce all the ingredients...though I would prefer it didn't have dextrose or cane sugar. I am curious to hear what others think of it who have tried it.

[Skippyak]

You are mostly looking at na and k as your basic needs, maybe magnesium and calcium, but you can just mix the amount of na and k dry required (use salt and lot salt properly measured) and add it to your drinks. You can buy little meth serving ziplock baggies on amazon and carry your powder portions to add as desired, or you can make up an amount in a liquid with other desirable things like calories in a shot flask and add squirts to your water bottle as you fill up en route, or drink and chase with your water/drink. I like the shot flasks for the longer rides.

[OakLeaf]

Skratch "everyday" only has enough sugar to flavor it, not really enough to provoke any kind of insulin response during exertion. For me, it's more about what my gut can tolerate (and which pieces of equipment I have to clean assiduously ), but I've read that long chain carbohydrates really aren't necessary during exertion - that what you need during an event is the simple sugars that your body needs immediately, since you can never take in more than a small fraction of the calories you're actually using.

For training and cycling I like Skratch better than Endurolytes because I don't have to add table salt, plus the flavor is a whole lot better. I used it on all my long runs but the last one in this training cycle (which that last one was a test of race nutrition, since the unfortunate thing about Skratch is that if I were going to use it during a race, I'd have to carry my own water supply, which I really prefer not to). I did fine on it. No stomach distress, no cramps, enough salt that I could replace the rest throughout the day.

Never tried the high-sugar Skratch.