For Infinit consumers

Triathlon Forum
1

How many attempts did it take before you got your blend dialed in?

I am continuing the search for what works best for me, and I’m currently using Infinit. The first time I used it, I felt bloated (although that could be partially due to what I ate prior), slightly nauseous, very thirsty, burping, and I was craving anything sour when I finished my ride.

The second time was better. No nausea or bloating. I still felt very thirsty during. Still seemed extremely sweet. No burping.

The most recent use seemed a bit like the last. Although I put 2 scoops into more than 20oz. of cold water. Wasn’t as sweet, but I still rip right through it. For a 5hr session, I had three 32oz bottles, one 24oz, and one 16oz(?) bottle. I went through that in a little under 4hrs. I had to stop and go upstairs to get plain, filtered water and finished riding.

I’m not sure what – if any – adjustments I should make. I think the first episode of bloating and nausea stemmed from a soup/sandwich combo I had and then getting on the bike soon after. The second time, it did have me needing to piss like a race horse at the end.

The other thing I have a question about is how to do you race with it? I mean, it’s fine, I’ve got my bottles all mixed and laid out next to me on the trainer, but I can only imagine this being a supreme pain in the ass on the bike. Do you separate it into baggies? “Whoops! Dropped one! Bye-bye!” I can also see trying to put the powder into the aerodrink bottle and instead of it going in, it lifts off into the wind cutting around you.

Another thing is: I can’t be sure that the formula that I settle on during the colder months is going to be the right one later is it? I see waste and more expense.

I don’t know. I have been feeling more powerful later on in my 4 and 5 hr rides than I have with previous gels. But, is that due to the actual fuel, or is it the more miles I have in my legs since my first trial with PowerGel? Dunno. I want to give it a fair shake, but it seems “high maintenance.” In the end, is it really worth it? Hmm.

Your experiences? Convince me? Suggestions?

2

Probably 2 or 3 times, but I got it fairly close to begin with (dumb luck). Basically fine tuned it and dialed the flavor down because I mix 2 and 3 hour bottles.

I’ve trained with the same mix in the 50s and the 90s.

Races - I only use it in HIM and the one IM. A single 3 hour bottle in HIMs. two 3 hour bottles in the IM, both races just replace the water. No special needs stops. About as easy as I could imagine

Training for an IM, going through 6+ (12 scoops) hours every week, it does start to get a little pricey, but that drops in the off season. I am still working off jugs from last year.

3

Races - I only use it in HIM and the one IM. A single 3 hour bottle in HIMs. two 3 hour bottles in the IM, both races just replace the water. No special needs stops. About as easy as I could imagine.

Ok, so roughly speaking, let’s say 2 scoops = 300cal. That’s going to be, again, roughly speaking, your intake for an hr. So, then to start out, you put 6 scoops in 1 bottle for three hours, yes? You concentrate it and dilute it down as you go. But, that means you’re not getting much fluid in that first bottle, right? Are you carrying another bottle with just water for your thirst?

4

For a half ironman bike, put three servings of infinIT into a bottle and fill with water. That should be all the calories you need. You grab water at the hand-ups and store according to your bottle setup (for me, it’s pour the water into the aero bottle up front and toss the empty). When you want to get calories/electrolytes, you grab a swig (the technical term) of concentrate and follow up with 3 swigs of water. Don’t dilute the concentrate. Planned correctly, you’ll have had all your concentrate by the end of the bike, diluted in your stomach appropriately. You can also drink plain water whenever you want.

5

Races - I only use it in HIM and the one IM. A single 3 hour bottle in HIMs. two 3 hour bottles in the IM, both races just replace the water. No special needs stops. About as easy as I could imagine.

Ok, so roughly speaking, let’s say 2 scoops = 300cal. That’s going to be, again, roughly speaking, your intake for an hr. So, then to start out, you put 6 scoops in 1 bottle for three hours, yes? You concentrate it and dilute it down as you go. But, that means you’re not getting much fluid in that first bottle, right? Are you carrying another bottle with just water for your thirst?

Yeah, 1 bottle with 6 scoops in (works better with the larger bottles) for a 3 hour bottle. Then 1 bottle with just water. You have to just sip the infinit cuz it’s a lot of calories in there, and you (I) need to follow it with a quick sip of water. In long course stuff, I set my watch to beep every 12 minutes and that’s when i’d do this. For the IM I had two bottles with 6 scoops, just tossed the first when it was done. ETA - So for IM I I carried about 1800-2000 calories on the bike (plus a Payday), which was all I needed. Had a 3 hour bottle stored in SN in case the shit hit the fan but rode right by

I don’t dilute it down as I go, I just sip off the bottle (which is why you have to dial the flavor back to one or two clicks), I know people do it with aerobottles and refill certain amounts at aid stations, but frankly that seems way too complicated for me during a race (probably isn’t, but during a race for me the simpler, the better).

6

Races - I only use it in HIM and the one IM. A single 3 hour bottle in HIMs. two 3 hour bottles in the IM, both races just replace the water. No special needs stops. About as easy as I could imagine.

Ok, so roughly speaking, let’s say 2 scoops = 300cal. That’s going to be, again, roughly speaking, your intake for an hr. So, then to start out, you put 6 scoops in 1 bottle for three hours, yes? You concentrate it and dilute it down as you go. But, that means you’re not getting much fluid in that first bottle, right? Are you carrying another bottle with just water for your thirst?
You make one bottle that is concentrated and the other bottle has just water in it. You take a sip of the infinit and then follow it with water. When you come to an aid station you just need water.

7

Ok, so roughly speaking, let’s say 2 scoops = 300cal. That’s going to be, again, roughly speaking, your intake for an hr. So, then to start out, you put 6 scoops in 1 bottle for three hours, yes? You concentrate it and dilute it down as you go. But, that means you’re not getting much fluid in that first bottle, right? Are you carrying another bottle with just water for your thirst?

That’s what I do. I have about 330 calories per serving, put three servings into a bottle for IM (with 2nd bottle in special needs), then use an aerobottle with just water in addition to the concentrated infinit bottle.

And to your first question, I’m still using the formula I made on my first or second try. That first formula worked so well for me that I haven’t dared try and tinker with it to improve it. Going on three years using it now.

8

I do the same thing as these guys, mixing as much as 6 hours in 1 bottle.

For the bike, it should be set up that 2 scoops of your formula is what you need per hour.

I put my infinit concentrate in a clear bike bottle with quarters marked off on the down tube of my bike, and drink water out of my aero drink. For races, I just replace the water in the aerodrink at bottle hand up stations. On training rides where I might not get back to my car for a while, I’ll put 1-2 additional bottles of water in my behind-the-seat holders and use those to refill my aero drink as needed.

When my bottle is marked in quarters, I just try to keep a decent guage on how I’m doing on the calories. Half way through the ride, I should be roughly half way through the infinit. No need to keep adding water to it - that way you do lose track of where you might be calories-wise as well.

For half ironman, I mix one three hour bottle. For full ironman, I mix two 3.5 hour bottles, starting with one on the bike and my aerodrink full of water, then I pick up the second infinit bottle at special needs for the second half of the ride.

It is actually the most simple nutrition plan for the bike that I have seen.

9

Formula: I got pretty close on my 1st try, and my second jug has been working flawlessly. For dialing in the formula, Infinit has some good suggestions depending on weight, sweat-rate, salt loss, distance, etc. After that, it’s only caffeine and taste (I also dialed down the taste… If I need more taste, it’s simply to add a little gatorade before I head out)

Races: I used it at a HIM last october. I had two bottle of 1 hour mix and a aerodrink of 1 hr mix. When I finished the aerodrink I poured a full bottle into the aerodrink and tossed the bottle; repeat (I have too many bottles). My nutrition worked really well on that race. If I could redo it though, I would make a double strength mix and a normal mix to cut down on the bottles. Just add water on the course to dilute if you want to.

I have an Ironman (IM France) this year, but i lucked out because Infinit is providing the on course nutrition so I’ll just buy that mix and train with it. I’ll just picked up bottle on course and wont bring any with me.

10

Right. Okay.

Anyone else…comments regarding the other points? Any reason why it seems to me that I am going through it rather quickly? Suggestion for reducing the sweetness?

My first formula is:

Sodium: 426mg
Potassium: 123mg
Total Carbohydrate: 81g
Sugars: 18g
Protein: 2.96g
Calcium: 34mg
Magnesium: 26mg

11

I did the same thing as a lot of posters–make a 2x900 calorie concentrate bottles for IM and filled my aerobottle with water at aid stations.

I found that cutting the protein out completely from the mix helped a lot with the bloating/burping issues. I know Infinit recommends some protein for IM at least on the bike, but I just could not make it work for me-especially when running immediately off the bike. My stomach was just happier without the stuff.

12

Just to make sure I get this right

When you make a concentrated bottle, you put in 6 or 9 scoops (or whatever calories you need) in 1 bottle, fill the rest with water?

Also, this might be a stupid question but, when you take a sip of the concentrated part, do you swallow it, then drink water to “mix” everything in you stomach OR you take a sip of the concentrated stuff, keep it in your mouth, drink water (mix in mouth)… then swallow

Thanks

13

Maybe a bit OT but I have two questions:

First, how do you fill your aerobottle during the race. Do you grab a water bottle, open the nipple with your teeth (as normal), squirt water bottle into aerobottle then toss water bottle? If so, how do you do all that before you get beyond the aid station and can’t toss the bottle?

Second, does Infinit act like a diuretic on anyone else. First ride I tried using it it seemed like I had to pee every half hour. I don’t have any caffine in my mix, so that isn’t it (although diet coke goes right through me so maybe I am just have a really sensitive bladder).

14

Have you spoken to Michael on the phone? It is a lot easier(and cheaper) to get Michael on the phone and tell him what is going on and he will adjust you accordingly. He knows his stuff.

15

Bloating/gas is common when using whey during exercise. I have had this issue and I know many that have. One other option is to bump up the amino acids or add something like Base Amino or Endurance Amino to stop your body from in simple terms looking at your muscles for fuel… This is why companys like Hammer say you should have some form a protien when exceeds 2 hrs.

If your hungry and your intaking 300 per hr your body maybe able to absorb more than that. Play around with you hourly intake and see what works the best without bloating or discomfort.

16

When you make a concentrated bottle, you put in 6 or 9 scoops (or whatever calories you need) in 1 bottle, fill the rest with water?
Yes. I usually fill the bottle about half full of water first, then the infinit, mix, then top it off.
Also, this might be a stupid question but, when you take a sip of the concentrated part, do you swallow it, then drink water to “mix” everything in you stomach OR you take a sip of the concentrated stuff, keep it in your mouth, drink water (mix in mouth)… then swallow

I just drink some infinit and then some water. No need to mix in your mouth.

17

Yes on the first–I usually have some water in my aerobottle so I’m topping off. If I can’t empty it by the end of the drop zone I’ll toss the bottle away half-empty. I suppose you could stick the empty in a jersey pocket if you wear pockets, it’s just never been an issue for me.

I don’t have any relevant info on the second question.

18

… I just could not make it work for me-especially when running immediately off the bike.

You bring up a point I forgot to ask initially and meant to. If you are taking in Infinit on the bike, what are you taking in during the run??? Infinit? Are we running with concentrated Fuel Belts?

If you’re not…how are you feeling going from Infinit to water/Gatorade/gel/what-have-you?

19

Yes, for the run I use two scoops in every fuel belt bottle, and I sip on it just before aid station and then chase with water from the aid station. I try to consume a fuel belt bottle every 45 minutes. But to be honest, in the 2 IM races where I have used Infinit on the bike, I tried to keep up with the Infinit on the run too, but I ended up just drinking plain water and cola at the aid stations. The cola tastes awesome at that point! I’m also considering a second Infinit IM formula that has zero taste or a totally different flavor from what I had on the bike just to vary it up for the run.

20

Have you spoken to Michael on the phone? It is a lot easier(and cheaper) to get Michael on the phone and tell him what is going on and he will adjust you accordingly. He knows his stuff.

I have to agree. Call Infinit. They helped me with my second batch after the first formula just didn’t go right. My second formula worked out great for me and my Ironman last year.

I mixed on the fly from a concentrate bottle with water from aid stations during the race. I practiced this a few times in training.

Good luck.