Signed up for the full at Beach to Battleship and they are using Hammer Products on the course. I can do most of the HammerGels but Heed (or HEAVE) is totally a no-go for me. In my previous IMs I’ve ALWAYS used the nutrition provided on the course. At this point, I’m exploring options. Even when I do my long runs I’ll plant my drinks/gels on the route, so I’ve never carried (handheld bottle/fuel belt) my nutrition during the run. Using concentrated bottles (bike + run) with water is the first option that pops into my head but how would I get it done?
I’ll be honest I’m sort of lost here. I’ve done a couple of searches and only have a short time to decide so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Brian from Personal Best Nutrition recommended this for me (for many reasons) for the bike at Chesapeakeman next weekend.
Down tube - I run 3 scoops of Carbo Pro + 2 scoops of EFS in a 24 oz bottle. Aero bottle has water and then I have a flask of gel. It’s ~ 900 calories. Every 15 minutes I take a swig of the drink, shot and then chase it with water. At special needs, I’ll pick up a second bottle. I’ll have the second gel with me (back pocket) and refil the aero bottle at each aid station.
I’ve used this in training and two 70.3’s and it’s been great. I’ve got acid reflux, so solids are impossible.
On the run, I’m in the same boat as you, but I’ll do the heed + gel, but I plan to have an EFS flask with me too. I ran with EFS in training in a fuelbelt and never had issues with it, but races are always different for me.
Will defintely figure something out quickly and practice this in training. Agreed the bike will be easier than the run as I tend to like solids (rice krispie treats, pb&j) on the ride. If I use concentrated bottles I’ll have to decide on what to use CarboPro, Infinit etc… Thanks for the help.
I just used EFS Liquid Shot and water at IM Louisville. The Liquid Shot has lots more electrolytes than Hammer Gels, so there was no need for sports drink. Worked for me. YMMV.
Thanks, since I’ve never explored alternatives to on course nutrition I’m not familar with all of the various options out there. Will definitely check out EFS
Any one else use water-only for an entire IM? I guess I’ve done it a certain way for so long. Can an old dog learn new tricks?
Not my most recent IM, but just did the WC 70.3 and only took water on bike and run. High calorie bottle with Carbopro and my regular drink, and used my very favorite Roctane as needed, which was easy to stash in my rear pocket. Run went very well with another flavor of Roctane, supplemented only with water and I did take some thermotabs for electrolytes as symptoms dictated. I completely nailed my nutrition, so it is really possible to do, just find your best energy products. I would do exactly the same for IM now that I’ve had 3 very good 70.3 races in a row with only water on the course, as the perform I took sparingly at the 1st race came up, so I just eliminated it from the menu. Good luck, and don’t panic, but listen VERY carefully to your body, as it will tell you.
I carry EFS liquid shots and use on the course water.
But note: this plan horribly backfired at Cedar Point b/c I didn’t track my water sufficiently and got VERY dehydrated. I had to walk and take a long break at the run turnaround.
So I guess I’m still looking a plan, too. On the run I need to track my water better than guestimating how much I’m getting in a quickly filled/consumed gatorade cup.
But I don’t feel like carrying a separate bottle with water (that I can refil) AND gels/flask/whatever. Not to mention I like the electrolytes in EFS, and that’s never offered on course and doesn’t come in gu that I can easily stash in my jersey.