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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it?

marathoner31

Dec 2, 08 10:09

Post #1 of 10 (308 views)

Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it?	Can't Post

I don't drink Gatorade during long course, only Accelerade as it works well for me. I just completed IMAZ and almost didn't get my special needs bag. I had a backup plan but it got me thinking. Can I mix my powder to 2x or more the normal serving and concentrate it and just chase it with a heavy dose of water? What are your experiences with this?

Daremo

Dec 2, 08 10:11

Post #2 of 10 (301 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

People concentrate their drinks all the time if they have an aero bottle. They just dump some of their special bottle mixture in the aero bottle and get water from the water stops to dillute it.

I personally do not and do all my races fully course supported other than my first bottle and my gel bottles. Makes life a whole lot easier.
_____________________________________________
Rick, USAC & USATF coach
'09 registered races - Du Nationals, Nanticoke, Columbia, Eagleman
Proud to be an '09 Gu Ambassador

karma

Dec 2, 08 10:35

Post #3 of 10 (281 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I run an 800 calorie bottle in my IM set-up, dilute it with water in my Aerodrink bottle as I go. Pick up the other 800 calorie bottle at speacial needs. I'm about a 6 hour IM bike guy and 270 cal/hour seems to work for me.

So, yes you can do it, tons of people do.

Dave

_______________________________________________
"For those people who just refuse to be likeable, I'll accommodate them by not liking them" - Slowman

Enduro-Plex

Dec 2, 08 17:49

Post #4 of 10 (197 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

While there should be no problem concentrating your drink, make sure you take in an adequate or equal amount of water. Less water may delay gastric emptying and delay the nutrients delivery to your muscles.

DamonHenry

Dec 2, 08 21:05

Post #5 of 10 (163 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Body doesn't care where the ingredients come from, just that it gets the functional balance.

The Red Baron

Dec 3, 08 4:17

Post #6 of 10 (135 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I did this for the first time at AZ using an aero bottle and a second bottle with concentrate on my downtube.
Worked well and meant I didn't have to touch the gatorade..

Use a clear drinks bottle and a permanent marker to write lines indicating measured dosages on the bottle.
You can then make sure you mix the correct amount of concentrate with water.

marathoner31

Dec 3, 08 7:16

Post #7 of 10 (104 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [The Red Baron] [In reply to]	Can't Post

So I use a combo of gels and Accelerade on the bike. I have my aero bottle with water for the gels and my cage holds my Accelerade on my P3. I don't put anything on the back of the saddle for drinks, now will I as I don't like the weight it adds. The question I now have is, do you have any experience taking the concentrated drink and chasing it with the water from the aero bottle? IF so, does it hit the system the same as if it were mixed? I have no intentions of using the aero bottle for my Accelerade. Thanks!

Fleck

Dec 3, 08 7:26

Post #8 of 10 (99 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Whatever you do - keep it simple.

I see way to many people with these overly complex nutrition and hydration routines. If at all possible, the best strategy is to rely on the aid on the course. In big IM races. It's always there. Its reliable and consistent. You know when it's coming.

Steve Fleck
steve@nineteenwetsuits.com
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com

Yknot

Dec 3, 08 7:36

Post #9 of 10 (94 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Others may be able to correct me on this but the human body can only absorb isotonic mixtures (6% simple sugars). If you concentrate the mixture, you make it hypertonic and it will not be absorbed until diluted to the appropriate osmolality by the consumption of water. So yes, it hits the system differently but as long as you are diluting it in your stomach, it will not make a difference. Also, all of this goes out the window for complex carbohydrates which Accelerade does not use.
"I take pain for a living pal. In this situation, I'd bet on me."

The Red Baron

Dec 3, 08 7:43

Post #10 of 10 (86 views)

Re: Energy drink during IM-Can you concentrate it? [marathoner31] [In reply to]	Can't Post

No, I had all my calories in the concentrate. Didn't need gels, apart from a couple of caffeine packed ones in the last hour of the bike.
I started the race with aero bottle and two bottles on the frame.
Aero bottle and bottle on down tube full of normal mix High5 energy source
Bottle on seat tube filled with concentate.

Once I'd finished off the normal mix, I'd grab water from aid stations and dilute the concentrate inside the aero bottle. That saw me through.

In the past I've just used gels and aerobottle water to chase them but never chased concentrate. Don't see why it shouldn't work fine. Could be pretty sickly in your mouth though...