I’m having a problem using a combonation of infinit/water, some gatorade and some gels on the bike. I’ve tried calculating what I need and keep a solid eye on what I’m takin in through the three. It seems as if my body does so much better (from an energy standpoint) with solid food.
Does anyone out there use anything that’s easy to get down, packed full of calories etc etc. (other than power bars/cliff bars???
Just trying to get some different ideas. Thanks!!
You don’t mention any particular type/distance of riding… For shorter rides and races, no solids. Longer/slower rides, I definitely prefer to mix in some semi-solids like shot bloks or even ‘real’ food like fig newtons, snickers bars, or even a small breakfast-type sandwich. Also depends on heat/weather sometimes…
Also, I’ve found that since I’ve gotten my Infinit dialed in, the gels/gatorade seem to kinda ‘get in the way’; I’ll still use them some just for variety in a long ride, but for strictly performance I have better results w/ Infinit only.
sorry about that…let me definintely clarify before the ST Gods attack me for asking about solid food on a sprint or oly distance tri!!! Yes, primarily talking about the full IM distance…
I also tried the gatorade, gel and infinit mix this morning. stomach wasn’t feeling so great, won’t try that experiment again
Thanks!!
IMC in 2007: Bento box full of peanut butter pretzels and Fig Newtons
IMLP in 2008: Bento box full of Clif Bars and Clif Mojo Bars
IMCDA in 2009: Bento box full of Clif Bars and Clif Mojo Bars, plus a PBJ and chocolate chip cookie in my Special Needs bag.
I eat MoJo bars - Honey Roasted Peanut and Peanut Butter Pretzel. I like that they have more of a salty then sweet taste. Each bar has at least 200 calories and a good bit of fat and protein to stick with you but they don’t feel heavy in my stomach some of the other bars do. I usually go through 3-4 on a 100 mile ride or the bike portion of an ironman. My stomach doesn’t do well on just gels and sports drinks.
Nothing better than a ham/cheese or PBJ sandwhich in your special needs bag. A human can only consume so many shots or powerbars. Note, I also took antacids before the swim and carried some with me in case of slush gut.
True story. 2000 GFT mile 90 on the bike a guy delivering quarter pounders to the volunteers offers me one. The smell, the hunger, I just could not resist temptation. That was one great burger. Next year same aide station I was offerred another. I responded that I did that last year and would need to pass. Gal standing next to me says to me in awe, “You’re the one.”
I use almost exclusively gummy bears. I try to eat 3-4 every 15 minutes, which is approx 150 kcal/hr. The main reason use em instead of gels of that other jazz is its wayyyyyyy cheaper (I can get like 700 kcal for $.99!!!).
Ironlance,
I am feeling the same as you. I had pancakes and coffee for breakfast last Sunday, skipping my usual Grand Slam, and by the time I got to Cawston I felt really empty.
I could have used a ham/cheese sandwich about then.
My buddy stashed a six inch turkey sub in his Special Needs bag the last four years. He rides an hour or so faster than I do.
There was no melon or cantalope on the run aid stations this year either. I missed that.
PoC
I will use solids alot. I used Dr. Lim’s rice cakes recipe (Yum), whole wheat tortillias with turkey and cheese rolled up, P&J, Potato wedges with sea salt. You name it, just experiment. After a while you will find the right one. However, it does help having a rock gut.
i like a half a PB&J at about mile 40 on the bike, that combined with my infinit concentrate and water did me right at IMdA up until the 20’s on the run, a few pretzels and some chicken broth and I was good to go…
I have personally tried the frozen Smuckers PBJ’s on long bike rides. Put it in your pocket frozen at the start, by the time you are ready to eat, it has thawed and it is good.
I also have some friends that swear by Baked Potatos during an IM in the Special Needs Bag.
At IM Lou last weekend I used chocolate chip granola bars, 2 poer bars and 2 gel flasks along with the Gatorade and water on the course. Worked just fine for me.
One word: Uncrustables.
I use ensure. Look at the Nutrition info, its exactly what you need for a long ride. Fair warning though, my buddy tried it at Wildflower and bonked because he switched that day. I haven’t had any issues yet and my tri coach and pro recommended it.
Clif Bars…Peanut Toffee Buzz. Awesome, but they do get a little gooey if the temperature is warm outside. If it is, then go straight Peanut Butter Clif Bars. They’re good too. I did CdA in June and used the Peanut Toffee and had my own bottles of Heed and I had a 5:35 bike split. Not bad on that course, but also…no GI upset. Good luck.
I was using paydays for a while. IMHO they work just as well as anything else, but they are cheaper. I have a rotation of foods I go through because I get sick of all of them.
Marmite/vegemite sandwiches (on white)…cut em up small, or roll em up into tubes…lots of sodium, strong savoury flavour.
Any cheap jelly lollies (snakes, jet planes, gummy bears, etc)…I’ve found the cheaper they are the less they melt in your pocket (bless those preservatives).
For me, there is nothing better than PB&Honey, as long as I will not be going anaerobic or in close proximity to anaerobic. For really hard efforts with solids in my stomach, there is a good chance I will see it again.
True story. 2000 GFT mile 90 on the bike a guy delivering quarter pounders to the volunteers offers me one. The smell, the hunger, I just could not resist temptation. That was one great burger. Next year same aide station I was offerred another. I responded that I did that last year and would need to pass. Gal standing next to me says to me in awe, “You’re the one.”
that is an awesome story.
I am going to try the small boiled potatoes and rice cakes the Ggarmin nutritionist does on YouTube. Don’t remember his name though.