I just ordered some Maurten drink mix and some gels to try out. My previous nutrition plan is failing me as I get older. My stomach just doesn’t like my previous products anymore. Maybe it gets harder to digest during a race when older? (I’m a 51 yr old female training for 5th full Ironman)
Who as been successful with Marten products? I’m really eager to learn about using just Maurten on the bike and nothing else but maybe clear water from the aide stations. Is it enough? I used to use Tailwind and cliff shot blocks which worked in 2 of the 4 Ironmans I have done. Used to be fine for halves but not anymore.
And I used to do GUs on the marathon run with clear water. I ran a 3:36 IM marathon in IM Copenhagen so that apparently worked in 2018. 3 years later my stomach doesn’t really like the GUs that much anymore (I had terrible stomach issues in my 2019 Ironman). I’m thinking the Maurten gels will work for me on the run.
Really hoping Maurten will be a game changer for my picky tummy!
you might find this thread interesting, from just 10 days ago. here’s one from last month. and from about 5 months ago. but i don’t want to dissuade anyone from giving their opinion on this thread. that’s perfectly fine.
Nutrition is very individual, so YMMV; but worth trying out in practice. I’ve also had good luck with SIS gels; they add double the water to make them isotonic. There is more to swallow, but I’ve found they process easier than GUs (my n=1).
I just ordered some Maurten drink mix and some gels to try out. My previous nutrition plan is failing me as I get older. My stomach just doesn’t like my previous products anymore. Maybe it gets harder to digest during a race when older? (I’m a 51 yr old female training for 5th full Ironman)
Who as been successful with Marten products? I’m really eager to learn about using just Maurten on the bike and nothing else but maybe clear water from the aide stations. Is it enough? I used to use Tailwind and cliff shot blocks which worked in 2 of the 4 Ironmans I have done. Used to be fine for halves but not anymore.
And I used to do GUs on the marathon run with clear water. I ran a 3:36 IM marathon in IM Copenhagen so that apparently worked in 2018. 3 years later my stomach doesn’t really like the GUs that much anymore (I had terrible stomach issues in my 2019 Ironman). I’m thinking the Maurten gels will work for me on the run.
Really hoping Maurten will be a game changer for my picky tummy!
Maurten has been endurance-life changing for me. Anything with much flavor at all has given me gut rot after a few hours. I do more ultrarunning than long course tris now but this stuff is fantastic. Easy to get down and easy to keep down. Just remember your electrolytes, because Maurten has none.
But if anyone has a discount code I would love it because it’s expensive as all hell.
Nutrition is very individual, so YMMV; but worth trying out in practice. I’ve also had good luck with SIS gels;** they add double the water to make them isotonic**. There is more to swallow, but I’ve found they process easier than GUs (my n=1).
I think this is quite silly for gels. Either way you need additional water, which is available on course. Why carry it with you and take up extra space in the form of huge gels? Seem like a waste of space and weight, *especially *on the run.
Three SiS gels have 255 calories and take up 180mL
Six Roctane gels have 600 calories and take up 190mL
Nutrition is very individual, so YMMV; but worth trying out in practice. I’ve also had good luck with SIS gels;** they add double the water to make them isotonic**. There is more to swallow, but I’ve found they process easier than GUs (my n=1).
I think this is quite silly for gels. Either way you need additional water, which is available on course. Why carry it with you and take up extra space in the form of huge gels? Seem like a waste of space and weight, *especially *on the run.
Three SiS gels have 255 calories and take up 180mL
Six Roctane gels have 600 calories and take up 190mL
For cycling I agree. It def takes longer to down each one…and you have water readily available. For me it’s a manageable downside, since they are inexpensive (~$1ea) and digest well.
For runs, having the extra water helps for cases when I’m not carrying water and want a gel that doesn’t leave me thirsty or with sticky residue in my mouth.
Maurten is the nutrition sponsor for IMAus, my next race (Assuming it doesn’t get cancelled due to covid)
So I have been playing with their gels for the run, no gut issues (yet), interesting mouth feel, a lot less mess than normal gels, do need to chew which is an interesting experience.
you might find this thread interesting, from just 10 days ago. here’s one from last month. and from about 5 months ago. but i don’t want to dissuade anyone from giving their opinion on this thread. that’s perfectly fine.
Thanks, I saw those threads. Very interesting about making your own Maurten drink! I may have to try that in the future. Sounds daunting for me to mix up something like that myself though…
I would love to learn about others doing Maurten on the bike and only Maurten. Did you put two bottles in special needs? How many bottles on the bike? Do you add electrolytes on a hot race? How does it tastes. Would love all the gory details. Do you also take water from the aide stations? Where could I find this information if not from Slowtwitch? I guess I could contact Maurten directly. Their website wasn’t helpful. You would think they might offer some sort of plan on the bike or tell you what to take per hour especially since they are now sponsoring Ironman.
I do realize nutrition is very personal but my previous nutrition plans no longer work (learned this recently in a race). So really hoping Maurten will work.
For those who use it without mixing it yourself, what type of bottle do you use? I feel like the 320 clogs my bta bottle so it’s a struggle to actually drink it (and it’s even a bit diluted in there). Trying to figure out if the issue is the drink mix or bottle (straw?) choice.
Have you tried the new GU Liquid Energy ? Like a slightly larger GU gel but washes itself down without the need for extra water. I’ve been loving them. Just did a sprint tri with a 15 mile bike with no aid stations and one bike bottle on bike. The GU Liquid Energy packets allowed me to get in extra fluid and nutrition without stashing and extra bottle in my jersey.
I can only get one bottle cage on my bike. I only have an oddly framed mountain bike and I usually ride with a camelbak, but that would be crazy for a sprint so one bottle and GU LE and I was good. I also get sick of the overly sugary gels so the mild taste is a welcome treat.
I just sent in all my questions to Maurten (info@maurten.com) and got a ticket number. Should hear back in 3-5 days. Not sure what kind of response or information I’ll receive but at least I tried.
For those who use it without mixing it yourself, what type of bottle do you use? I feel like the 320 clogs my bta bottle so it’s a struggle to actually drink it (and it’s even a bit diluted in there). Trying to figure out if the issue is the drink mix or bottle (straw?) choice.
So I just got some intel that 5 bottles of drink mix 320 should be used for the IM bike. What size bottles and how much do you put in each bottle? Did you put any bottles in Special Needs? I have always had two bottles of Tailwind in special needs. Hoping I can do the same for Maurten.
When you say “clogs”, is it too thick? or is it particles that get stuck in the straw (if your BTA has a straw).
So I just got some intel that 5 bottles of drink mix 320 should be used for the IM bike. What size bottles and how much do you put in each bottle? Did you put any bottles in Special Needs? I have always had two bottles of Tailwind in special needs. Hoping I can do the same for Maurten.
The packaging for Maurten 320 says to mix with 500ml of water. I will sometimes add a packet to 750ml water bottle without issue and sometimes I stick to their recommended ratio and add a packet and a half to that same 750ml bottle. No gut issues for me either way. Often I pack my own DrAlexHarrison inspired mix on the bike too and again, no issues mixing the Maurten product with whatever I have in other bottles.
I have yet to do an IM yet, but yes, my intention is to have bottles in Special Needs, just like what you do with Tailwind. For what it is worth, I like Tailwind’s product too.
As far as thickening goes, I have found that if I have prevoiusly used an acidic drink mix in a bottle and not cleaned that bottle before dumping Maurten into it, that the Maurten startes to get noticably thicker as the bottle is consumed. Not a big deal, just a bit of texture.
you might find this thread interesting, from just 10 days ago. here’s one from last month. and from about 5 months ago. but i don’t want to dissuade anyone from giving their opinion on this thread. that’s perfectly fine.
Thanks, I saw those threads. Very interesting about making your own Maurten drink! I may have to try that in the future. Sounds daunting for me to mix up something like that myself though…
I would love to learn about others doing Maurten on the bike and only Maurten. Did you put two bottles in special needs? How many bottles on the bike? Do you add electrolytes on a hot race? How does it tastes. Would love all the gory details. Do you also take water from the aide stations? Where could I find this information if not from Slowtwitch? I guess I could contact Maurten directly. Their website wasn’t helpful. You would think they might offer some sort of plan on the bike or tell you what to take per hour especially since they are now sponsoring Ironman.
I do realize nutrition is very personal but my previous nutrition plans no longer work (learned this recently in a race). So really hoping Maurten will work.
I used it for the last IM Arizona. 5 bottles of 320 on the bike. I put 3 on my bike then picked up 2 in special needs on the 2nd lap. (i think i actually only consumed about 4.5 bottles as there was some left over). I did all my long rides in training with just Maurten drink, trying to get used to it and make sure it would work. 5 hour ride followed by 45 min run, absolutely no gut issues, targeting 80 grams of carbs per hour. (i think the package says the 320 is 79grams). On race day, i had a bottle in transition to take out on the run with me but then decided i didn’t want to run with it and would just take what was on course. After an hour of running i was throwing up…so i don’t know.
Edited to add - i also picked up 2 bottles of water on the bike course and consumed maybe 2/3rds of them.
you might find this thread interesting, from just 10 days ago. here’s one from last month. and from about 5 months ago. but i don’t want to dissuade anyone from giving their opinion on this thread. that’s perfectly fine.
Thanks, I saw those threads. Very interesting about making your own Maurten drink! I may have to try that in the future. Sounds daunting for me to mix up something like that myself though…
I would love to learn about others doing Maurten on the bike and only Maurten. Did you put two bottles in special needs? How many bottles on the bike? Do you add electrolytes on a hot race? How does it tastes. Would love all the gory details. Do you also take water from the aide stations? Where could I find this information if not from Slowtwitch? I guess I could contact Maurten directly. Their website wasn’t helpful. You would think they might offer some sort of plan on the bike or tell you what to take per hour especially since they are now sponsoring Ironman.
I do realize nutrition is very personal but my previous nutrition plans no longer work (learned this recently in a race). So really hoping Maurten will work.
I used it for the last IM Arizona. 5 bottles of 320 on the bike. I put 3 on my bike then picked up 2 in special needs on the 2nd lap. (i think i actually only consumed about 4.5 bottles as there was some left over). I did all my long rides in training with just Maurten drink, trying to get used to it and make sure it would work. 5 hour ride followed by 45 min run, absolutely no gut issues, targeting 80 grams of carbs per hour. (i think the package says the 320 is 79grams). On race day, i had a bottle in transition to take out on the run with me but then decided i didn’t want to run with it and would just take what was on course. After an hour of running i was throwing up…so i don’t know.
Edited to add - i also picked up 2 bottles of water on the bike course and consumed maybe 2/3rds of them.
Thank you! This is super helpful!
Did you feel ever feel hungry on the bike with just Maurten?
Will you do Maurten gels on your next IM run or just stick to taking a bottle of the Maurten drink mix?
I certainly know how it feels to be sick on the run. In 2019 I had to stop taking my GUs around 15 miles and just drank coke and water. My stomach was so bad. After I crossed the finish line, got my medal, hugged my coach and husband, I started projectile vomiting. It was quite the spectacle! I was wheeled to the med tent immediately. But I actually felt better getting rid of the undigested nutrition sitting in my gut like a bowling ball. After maybe an hour, I walked back to our condo.
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Did you feel ever feel hungry on the bike with just Maurten?
Will you do Maurten gels on your next IM run or just stick to taking a bottle of the Maurten drink mix?
I certainly know how it feels to be sick on the run. In 2019 I had to stop taking my GUs around 15 miles and just drank coke and water. My stomach was so bad. After I crossed the finish line, got my medal, hugged my coach and husband, I started projectile vomiting. It was quite the spectacle! I was wheeled to the med tent immediately. But I actually felt better getting rid of the undigested nutrition sitting in my gut like a bowling ball. After maybe an hour, I walked back to our condo.
I was not hungry at all. I’ve started experimenting with making my own mix after some of the other threads on here suggesting a higher grams of carbs per hour and using sugar and sodium citrate. Maurten is a very sugary taste but putting 1.5 cups of sugar into 1 litre of water (as suggested by others) is way sweeter and probably won’t work for me long-term…but will give it some more time.
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Did you feel ever feel hungry on the bike with just Maurten?
Will you do Maurten gels on your next IM run or just stick to taking a bottle of the Maurten drink mix?
I certainly know how it feels to be sick on the run. In 2019 I had to stop taking my GUs around 15 miles and just drank coke and water. My stomach was so bad. After I crossed the finish line, got my medal, hugged my coach and husband, I started projectile vomiting. It was quite the spectacle! I was wheeled to the med tent immediately. But I actually felt better getting rid of the undigested nutrition sitting in my gut like a bowling ball. After maybe an hour, I walked back to our condo.
I was not hungry at all. I’ve started experimenting with making my own mix after some of the other threads on here suggesting a higher grams of carbs per hour and using sugar and sodium citrate. Maurten is a very sugary taste but putting 1.5 cups of sugar into 1 litre of water (as suggested by others) is way sweeter and probably won’t work for me long-term…but will give it some more time.
My IM is in 8 weeks so I have a few long rides/runs to experiment with Maurten. Maybe this winter I’ll try experimenting with the homemade stuff. I’m sure I could save a bundle. Maurten is pricy. But right now if I can get through this upcoming IM w/o nutrition issues, it will be priceless. Worth every penny!
Have to do my IM in six weeks from now, but have been dealing with serious stomach issues over the last 10 years during long races or long bricks.
Also have been experimenting quite a bit on lots of nutrition, branded and homemade. Homemade went in the end pretty okay during my last ld race in ‘19.
But have been using the 320 mix during my last few long bricks 160-170 km bike/12 to 20 km runs.
On the bike I do 1 hour blocks, 1 x gulp of 250 ml 320 first 20 min, second gulp of the 250 ml 320 mix, 3rd 20 min just plain water with 1 pack of Clif blocks, this I repeat for 4 hrs, 5th hour I do 250 ml of the 160 ml mix 3 x 20 min.
On the run I use the Maurten gels, 1 every 6 to 7 km.
Haven’t had any gut/stomach issues at all which was an experience I haven’t had since about 10 years, 4 ‘lost’ IM due to stomach problems.
Even my race effort long brick 170 km/20 km run last Sunday went really well. Recovery was also much better since I just got more fuel in then normal was possible.
What I do notice that I dig the drink more when it is cold. So I put 1 bottle in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. They melt during the ride and when I drink them they are still cold.
I have a very sensitive stomach but am fine on gels. I did a mix of Maurten/GUs on the bike of IMCDA + only Maurten on the run. Worked like a charm.
I read somewhere that Maurten is supposed to be easier to digest than other gels.
Whatever you do/pick (Maurten or anything else) + whatever people say in this thread, you should practice multiple times in training ahead of your event.
I think the particles clog up the straw at the base when the drink kind of solidifies.
I’m wondering if it’s because I mix it the night before to remove tasks in the morning?
(That is based off of when I accidentally wasted a full bottle of it in my car and realized 2 days later it was significantly more solid than I expected. Kind of gross actually.)
