I Bonked on the last Oly I did. Water bottles launched and only had 1/2 bottle of gatorade before the run.
Sooo, I discovered the benfits of using a camelback. Used it on a century ride and it was a lifesaver. They say you are more likely to stay hydrated if you use a camelback vs. water bottles.
I am thinking of using my camelback during the bike leg on my upcoming 1/2 IM. So am I a loser?
Is using a camelback on the bike leg like using a snorkel on the swim?
I think the bar to being a loser is much higher than simpy using a camelback on the bike. In fact, I would argue that you are the opposite of a loser because you are taking appropriate measures to ensure that you stay hydrated. A loser would be afraid to use a camelback for fear of being called a loser.
Bobby Julich uses a camelbak for his TT races, why shouldn’t you?
I’d bet my bike collection that what happend in your Oly wasn’t a bonk…
Use your Camel back, don’t care what other people think. Do what you need to do in order to have the race experience you want…
Personally, I don’t like Camelback…mostly b/c of maintenance issues. I like picking up a fresh bottle every 10 miles in an IM. In a 1/2, 2 bottles is just fine…
Hook’em
Here’s what you do. Go buy some better cages for your bike. Something better that holds the bottle tight. On you 1/2IM at WDW they will hand up bottles to you as you go thru the aid stations.
Your never a loser when your thinking smart with you hydration. You will lose another 2:00 minutes trying to strap the camelbak on, No big deal right?
Hook em Horns
Have you considered a Neverreach system?
Lose 2 minutes putting on a camelbak? More like 5 seconds, and that’s taking your time. Unless you mean taking a brand new one, removing the tags, filling it up and adjusting the straps.
Why would you say it was not a bonk??? Too short of a race?
I started out using the camelbak in all tris I did. It worked fine. And I don’t think it hurts you if you aren’t expecting to win.
I did wean myself off of it for races that have good support(meaning bottled water, not brown water in refilled water bottles) but still use it for long rides. One thing to be aware of: If you drink a lot, a 100oz camelbak will just barely get you through the bike leg of a hot 1/2 IM.
I’ve said it before: If Camelbak came out with a hardshell aero TT backpack featuring a Nascar-style refill opening, they would be the must-have tri-toy by next season.
I certainly wouldn’t call you a loser! Do whatever works for you and what is comfortable. For all the things you need to worry about in a traithlon, if you can take one out of the equation, (worrying about getting adequate good water) is worth it.
On the other hand a 100 oz camelback weighs just over 6 pounds. Then factor in the weight of the camelback itself. Might not be so nice on a hilly course. But again, do what you are comfortable doing.
I have seen Joe Bonness race with a camelback, loser? Um…no.
Yep, too short of race.
75% of triathletes eat too much in Oly distance…
Too Short? Even for a slow, fat-ass over 40 Clyde like myself?
Agreed. One shouldn’t have to eat anything and should only require a bottle of water to make it through.
More so for you! ;o)
Seriously though…too short of race for nutrition to make impact. There’s plently of food at the post-race tent. Hurry to the finish. If you do have a bottle of water…it should just go on your head.
Good luck!
Definitely not a loser. In fact, at Buffalo Springs several years ago when the temperatures rose to in excess of 112, a frozen-solid Camelback strapped on my back provided much appreciated air conditioning for about 40 miles of the ride.
Yep. Definitely a loser with a capital L. When you go to body marking for your next race they’ll put a giant L on your forehead.
=P
In all seriousness… Do not feel ashamed of using a CB. Especially for a 1/2IM race.
Take it from me. I’m a heavy sweater (100% cotton =) ) ,andI’m trying to close in on the 5h barrier. Without a CB, i’m probably still trying to break 6h, with a stop at the med tent for good measure. Whatever gets you to the finish line on your own 2 feet is good in my book.
Pay no mind to Smitty8. While it is true that some tend to eat too much during OLY races, I’m pretty sure you can’t eat out of a CB. Maybe I’m mistaken?
More so for you! ;o)
Seriously though…too short of race for nutrition to make impact. There’s plently of food at the post-race tent. Hurry to the finish. If you do have a bottle of water…it should just go on your head.
Good luck!
That’s a fairly generalized comment. What about the person who is out on the course for 3 hours. They will certainly benefit from some sort of nutrition. And one bottle of water? Come up to my neck of the woods when the humidity hits in the summer and I would see you in the med tent at the end of the race from one bottle of water.
I do agree that a camelback is way too much for an Olympic though.
This one is debatable, but I like the profile aero bottles that strap to the aero bars (if you have them). They are easy to refill at the aid stations without stopping and you can drink without coming out of the bars. Have not tried the NeverReach, but that seems like a great idea. Anything on the back for road is kind of a hindrance. I like camelbacks for mtb though as bottles are tough to grab on the mtb, especially if you are on a technical course. You lose hardly any time at all in transition.
I’ll share this one - a guy in the 45+ Crit race before my group was wearing a camelback - that is way overboard.
A somewhat related question, but for a sprint tri with a 10 mile bke and 3 mile run, do you even bring a water bottle on the bike or just take a gulp at T2 and go. Assuming it is not sweltering.