I am just wondering. Am I the only one who still uses Gatorade? I have crunched the numbers and used many others out there. I find there to be no perceived “performance improvements” if I use the other stuff. I am thinking of just sticking with Gatorade. Besides… it sits the best in my stomach and 90% of races have it on the course. I am just looking for some insight from others.
I really like the taste and “mouthfeel”(?) of GU2O. It is less syrupy that most of the Gatorade flavors. But all my races this year are Gatorade sponsored so I am training with Gatorade.
I always ride with a bottle full of Gatorade, it works fine for me. Although I’ve nerer really tried anything else.
Tucker
My coach, Don Fink, uses Gatorade and Gu on the bike and just went 9:33 in brazil to win his age group (45-49), again and place like 17th overall. He always uses this hydration strategy for IM and it works for him.
trained and successfully raced with Gatorade last year excpet for one race. Switched to Cytomax on the “advice” of a tri-buddy. Bonked at km 10 of a 15k. Walked in the remainder in a daze. Switched back to Gatorade at went 11 hours for my first IM 10 weeks later. I will never do that again. Gatorade mixed with 2 scoops Carbopro is the tri drink of the God’s!
I use gatorade with extra salt and gu. I add a few shakes to the bottle. I tried cytomax for a while last year but switched back because I like gatorade better and it’s easier and cheaper to get. The extra salt really helps me on long workouts. I used to get leg cramps at the end of long rides but have had none since I started salting my gatorade.
Your not the only one, still using Gatorade too! The sodium in Gatorade helps with the transport of sugar in the gut (Sodium/Glucose pumps), and is cheap. For longer rides, granola/nutrigrain bars take care of more calorie needs. But as what many probably will say, use what works best for you.
Too much sucrose for my stomach for any event over 2 hours.
I’ve tried a lot of other drinks. I’m now a boring water and electrolyte tablet guy. Hammer Gel for calories.
With all of the stuff I bring to races, I occasionally forget things. It’s comforting to know that I can stop in any convenience store and find Gatorade and know it will work for me.
Gatorade will be on the course at every Ironman in North America this year. Gatorade provides Lemon-lime ready to drink “Edge” bottles for the bike courses and Orange ready to drink in cups for the run courses.
Gatorade started providing ready to drink product a few years ago to insure the quality of the product at Ironman races.
If you are training for an Ironman, be sure to train with Lemon-lime on the bike and Orange on the run as these will be the flavors on the course.
Gatorade and Ironman also work with the volunteers to make sure that the product is cold on the course!
Be sure to also stop by the Gatorade Corral - bag check in each morning at the Ironman events. (starting three days before each race) Gatorade will provide athletes with a bag to place gear in as they check out the swim, bike and run courses. Athlete will also receive a Gatorade Bike Bottle and a Lemon Lime Edge bottle when they pick up their gear.
You can also win Gatorade prizes by answering Ironman trivia questions. (Like who finished second at the first two Ironman races?)
Hope to see you in CDA - Mention that you saw this post on Slowtwich and I’ll give you a Gatorade shirt or hat if I have any available.
Tom Ziebart
Hey Tom, You’re a good guy. The lemon-lime and orange tip is quite helpful.
P.S. In case you haven’t been over at the “ALERT: FL Half…” thread, I believe they’re dying for an IMNA rep to post.
Iggy - I have been reading the thread, do not know if anyone from IMNA is reading it. With CDA right around the corner, they are probably working hard on that event.
I’m just the Gatorade guy at the Ironmans and the second string announcer when Mike Reilly needs a breather.
I hope the athlete qualifies for Kona at another event this summer. Sounds like he has the ability in a tough age-group. I’m sure that he will be wearing a shirt in the next race! Z
Honest questions here,
Why orange flavor only on the run? Is it intended to provide variety?
Will this also be the pattern for IM Canada? (I am assuming yes, but there are a few variations in this race as compared to the rest of the IMNA events.)
Curiously, I find that full strength Gatorade is too sweet on the bike for me, but okay on the run. Go figure.
I look forward to visiting the corral in Penticton.
Thanks,
Parke
Honest questions here,
Why orange flavor only on the run? Is it intended to provide variety?
Yes - after surveying ironman athletes two year back - we found that they want variety during the day - By the way - The athletes picked Lemon-Lime and Orange as the top two flavors!
Will this also be the pattern for IM Canada? (I am assuming yes, but there are a few variations in this race as compared to the rest of the IMNA events.)
Sorry - But Gatorade Canada takes care of the IM Canada race - I understand that they are still using power for the race. I’m sure that the volunteers at Ironman Canada are very good at mixing the power since they have over 20 years of experience. Also the water source in Canada is very good! Flavor wise, i assume that you will be getting Lemon Lime on both the bike and run course.
Curiously, I find that full strength Gatorade is too sweet on the bike for me, but okay on the run. Go figure.
Some atheltes will mix the full strength Gatorade with water during the bike.
I look forward to visiting the corral in Penticton.
I do not know if they have a Gatorade Corral ion Penticton, since I only go to the US races!
Thanks,
Parke
Great information Tom. The reason why I read this forum is for informative information such as this. The liquids one has at an Ironman is serious business. Train hard.
I just love gatorade. I like most flavors, but I get the powder in lemon-lime at Costco or BJ’s. I actually would like other flavors, but I take what I can get. Nothing else tastes as clean to me. I have a cannister of Accelerade but the protein flavor is a bit much for me. Ultima is just plain gross and my wife and I had a hard time at the marine corps marathon.
When it comes down to it, I always come back to good ol’ gatorade. The stuff rocks!!!
Mark down another vote for Gatorade.
Thanks for your participation, Tom Z.
Brett
Sorry - But Gatorade Canada takes care of the IM Canada race - I understand that they are still using power for the race. I’m sure that the volunteers at Ironman Canada are very good at mixing the power since they have over 20 years of experience. Also the water source in Canada is very good! Flavor wise, i assume that you will be getting Lemon Lime on both the bike and run course.
I kind of thought IMC would have a different flavor to the aid stations. (haha) I wonder if they serve it with tea and biscuits as well? Anyway, I prefer the lemon lime to orange so it will work fine for the run for me.
Powdered Gatorade from Costco, can’t beat the price. I have no problems with gatorade and like most of the flavors but the large powder tub is just to cheap to pass up. Thinking of trying the new ‘endurance’ formula if they sell it at costco some day.
Andrew
I usually train on the runs with Gatorade 'cause thats what they usually server on the run at marathons and triathlons I have done. But on the bike use other stuff and a GU equivalent which keeps the fires stoaked really well and I have found my runs are very strong and I feel great!