I hydrated myself well last week getting ready for an Int’l race on Sunday, expecting 90 degree temps on race day. Because I was drinking so much water ( and some gatorade here and there), I decided it’d be a good idea to take some Endurolytes pre-race to make sure I was topped off correctly and not out of balance. So I popped 3 on Friday night, and 3 on Saturday morning. Friday night I started getting dizzy and naseous, same thing on Saturday. My stomach was also a complete wreck–doubtful it was pre-race jitters, I don’t usually have problems. Now that I look back, I’m wondering if I took too many endurolytes–or maybe it was just something else?? Today, Monday, I am fine. Does anyone have any experience to share with electrolyte supplementation pre-race?
Thanks!
Give hammer nutrition a call…they are very helpful.
Per Hammer, 400-600mg/hour max.
I hydrated myself well last week getting ready for an Int’l race on Sunday, expecting 90 degree temps on race day. Because I was drinking so much water ( and some gatorade here and there), I decided it’d be a good idea to take some Endurolytes pre-race to make sure I was topped off correctly and not out of balance. So I popped 3 on Friday night, and 3 on Saturday morning. Friday night I started getting dizzy and naseous, same thing on Saturday. My stomach was also a complete wreck–doubtful it was pre-race jitters, I don’t usually have problems. Now that I look back, I’m wondering if I took too many endurolytes–or maybe it was just something else?? Today, Monday, I am fine. Does anyone have any experience to share with electrolyte supplementation pre-race?
Thanks!
You’d have to take a couple dozen to have any meaningful (read: useful) amount of electrolytes, they have so little. Three Endurolytes are pretty useless. Better to eat normal food with plenty of salt prior to a race.
Something else was going on.
I would agree with Ken L.
I'm not sure you can "load" electrolytes like you tried to do. Sure, you can "top-off" the levels if you are deficient but your normal diet, water and gatorade probably had you topped off already. I think you probably excreted whatever you put in shortly after taking them.
Using salt tabs in a race is another story, since you are are losing electrolytes at a fast rate since you are sweating.
Did you take plenty of clear water with the salt tabs…?
hammer is sure not right on this…
by medical research, it show you can ingest up to 1g of sodium/h without any problem if well hydrated.
for longer race, i know a lot of people would have problem with only 400-600mg/hour
it s something very personal that need to be practiced at race intensity and in the same weather condition as you expect to race in. it s not easy to figure out and take times.
I also agree with Ken L. 3/hr is not many at all. I used to need over 8/hr to see any results, which is why I no longer use them.
But I highly doubt if they are what caused your symptoms.
I have taken up to 10-13 endurolytes per hour with no issues
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I would recommend experimenting during training. Not sure about “loading” with them though. I prefer to only take them during the event/training session. (but, that’s what works for me)
stumps
just looked at my log, I was having major de-hydration issues in my long runs for IMFL 06. In August of 06 did an experiment, took a total of 3.4grams sod and 134oz of water in 2:20…total success, finished strong and recovered much better than ever. This formula was the base of my long run hydration for IMFL prep.
Thanks for all of the help! Looks like I need to experiment a bit with my training in similar conditions to get this stuff right.
What would you suggest instead? I’ve used Endurolytes and thought they worked well for me at 3-9 per hour.
What would you suggest instead? I’ve used Endurolytes and thought they worked well for me at 3-9 per hour.
A dozen Endurolytes has about as much sodium as a liter of regular Gatorade, which I think has about half as much as their Endurance formula, which has about as much sodium as my custom infinIT mix. Some people say the science indicates you have more than enough sodium in your body to last you through an Ironman and so you shouldn’t be worried about it, and that cramps aren’t because of electrolyte imbalance. A normal diet leading up to the race, plus your energy drink with some sodium during the race should be enough. Things like Perpetuem don’t have very much at all.
I believe there are other electrolyte supplements available that have higher electrolyte concentrations so, theoretically, you should be able to use less pills which should cost less $$ in the long run.
Yes: Succeed S. 341 mg of Sodium per tablet.
I personally like SaltStick Caps:
Some people say the science indicates you have more than enough sodium in your body to last you through an Ironman and so you shouldn’t be worried about it, and that cramps aren’t because of electrolyte imbalance.
Interesting, any links?
The one thing about Endourlytes is that they offer more than just Na. They offer several other electrolytes that are necessary for proper muscle operation, of course if it’s true that you never lose it during a race then you wouldn’t need those either.
~Matt
Salt-Stick Tabs are more sodium per capsule. They have 550mg per capsule(I think) and a full electrolyte profile.
I have taken 2-2.5g per hour with no issues. We call it insurance sodium…experiment in training as always, but most people just sweat out the extra’s. Oh yeah, make sure you are drinking plenty of water.
BB
Thanks for the link! The table was very useful in comparing the salt content. I used pure salt tablets (non-buffered) for IMC 2002 with no cramping, and only slight GI distress. Changed to Enduralytes for 2004, 2006, took about 3 an hour, not enough, cramped big time. Tried taking 15 per hour at 2 recent 1/2s and things came right, NOW I see the table on how relatively LOW the salt in the Enduralytes is. Will have to try the Salt Stick tablets in the future!