How they used the product: I used Precision pretty close to as directed. I don’t like using drink mix during a race so I my second bottle on the bike during HIM was Gatorade from the aid station. I also took less than directed of the SweatSalts since I normally don’t take any electrolytes pills at all. **Ease and usefulness of Online Sweat Test and Personal Hydration Plan emails: **The sweat test was pretty easy and not real exciting. They do assume that you know something about your sweat rate and saltiness. I only got one email plan, it was easy to follow and called for me to drink a lot of Precision. I’m not sure either were of much value, I’ve been racing for 15 years and have figured out that I need to drink a lot when training and racing. **The various Sodium Strengths you received and their flavor/taste: **I used Precision PH1000 and PH1500. The 1500 had a slightly saltier taste. See tasting notes in the Drinkability section below. I didn’t taste the SweatSalts, just swallowed them whole. **Drink mixability and convenience: **The premeasured packets were easy to use and fit easily in a bike jersey pocket. The powder dissolves right into solution making it easy to use. I don’t attempt to use drink mixes during races as it is hard to pour while riding a bike but Precision would be easier than most products to mix while riding. **Drinkability: **Great, mild, refreshing, lightly citrusy flavor with just a hint of salt. Went down easy even when warm. I’ll drink anything if I need to but I actually found myself wanting to drink more because I liked the taste. Digestibility: No issues, but I don’t normally have issues. I was slightly less gassy after workouts. **Perceived Hydration Status over time: **I found my self drinking more of Precision than I normally do and I’m sure this a good thing. I normally drink just enough because drinking cuts into race time and is hard to do when you are in zone 4. But I somehow found time for Precision and it goes down easy. I do wish the product had a little more carbs. At 65 calories per bottle I need more Gels for nutrition. Hydration Status impact on the quality of your training and racing, including cramping (if that had been an issue for you.) I don’t have cramping issues this time of year. I did feel a lot better toward the end a HIM (Toughman Championship). My race pace noticeably picked up at mile 8 and I felt great for the next 5 miles and felt a lot fresher after the race as well. I won my age group and you always feel better after a good race but this is the first time I’ve had negative splits on a race longer than sprint. I can’t prove that Precision was the cause and the strong finish was effect. Then again I could have just started the run slow. Either way I need to hydrate, precision tastes great and I’ll be using Precision during my next race (IM Maryland next week).
**Comments and observations. **I do get calf cramps, AKA “Mad Calf Disease†but only in the spring. After years of trial and error I’ve figured out how to manage it and play thru but that often means the elliptical trainer rather than running. I’m optimistic about Precision and will see if it can cure Mad Calf Disease when I come out of hibernation next March.