I did a long brick 5:15 on the bike and 45min T run this past 13th of April and it was scorching hot here in So Cal. My friend had bought some Mark Allen Signature Formula Infinit so I decided to give it a try and filled up my bottles before the ride. During my training rides I usually don’t try to take in too much in the way of carbs, but I figure I might as well give it a try since it is better to get an upset stomach during a training ride then on race day. Well I was pleasantly surprised that the Infinit went down easy and it didn’t seem to stay in my stomach. I used to use hammer perpetuem and I have to say that the Orange Infinit(mark allen formula) was also better tasting. The perpetuem seems to sit in my stomach a little longer before it got absorbed. I had never tried the Infinit before so I don’t know what the other flavors taste like. I will say one thing though, that when the bottles got warm the Infinit did not taste great at all and I noticed that the bottle had formed some crystals on the outside. Also the mix seemed to be a lot lighter than what I expected. Do you guys use this in higher concentrations?
The Infinit definitely got me through my Brick with no problems I didn’t have any cramping problems during my brick and I didn’t even take in extra electrolytes.
I have to say that I think you guys are right by saying that Infinit is the ticket for the long races.
I just wonder what the difference is between the mark allen signature and the regular Infinit?
Well from now on I will use infinit for training and racing and the Genr8 Vitargo S2 post work out for the faster recovery!
I am sold on their product, they now have a new customer!
If you don’t like any one little component you can change it! Remember, as any energy drink warms and you start going long, the flavor starts to get more “intense”. I don’t know how much flavoring the Allen formula has, but you can dial it down pretty low. Might taste a little weak at first or when cold, but perfect come 4 hours later. Up to you and that is the point, really!
Yup, I have my flavor set low (just enough to cover the slightly bitter taste of caffeine) and lots of salt - basically tastes like seawater at first Perfect as the day goes by …
The protein seems to get sour and sort of skunky in hot weather, plus I prefer protein after a race or training session, I don’t need my sports drink to rebuild me, just keep me fueled.
I can’t comment on the skunkiness, but the order I place will have protein… here is a link to a presentation put together by my old personal trainer that I think covers nutrition very well for endurance athletes, including protein usage for more than recovery: http://www.runningfit501.com/images//afs_seminar.pdf
The protein seems to get sour and sort of skunky in hot weather, plus I prefer protein after a race or training session, I don’t need my sports drink to rebuild me, just keep me fueled.
The research on protein during your workout aiding recovery is really sketchy. GSSI (who does good research) says it is inconclusive. Some say yes, others say no. Nothing really definitive.
The reason that I like it (and probably 80% of our customers) is that protein keeps you from getting hungry. I cannot avoid eating with just a carbohudrate drink. I really do not want to mess with eating, so I use protein.
Whey is pretty stable and should not get skunky in the heat. Normally there is no problem with it getting sour, ever.
I keep harping on this I know, but the more I work with athletes the more I think that two formulas works best. One with protein and one without. Protein seems to work for 6-8 hours, but at some point some people start to get backed up. The solution is to switch over to a non protein (maybe with caffiene) for the run. That clears any gut issues up and kickstarts your system.
In other words, I really like protein for training and for the bike. I prefer a high glucose non-protein mix with some caffeine for the run and sprint races.
Everyone is different on what they like. Some people make stuff that I would gag on, they love it.
Before trying Infinit I used to associate anything with Protein in it to Accelerade which is - in my opinion - the devil.
I put in a little Protein to my Infinit and liked it. Like Michael says, it staves off the hunger on the Bike. I’ve used it on stand-alone runs and some shorter bricks with no issues.
Aside from the nasty, nasty taste of it, esp. when it gets warm. It is responsible for some pretty bad stomach issues I experienced last summer while training with it.
When you compare Accelerade to something as light, easy to consume and digest as Infinit, there is just no way to describe Accelerade other than it tastes like crap.
No, but I do take in 6-10 and find that it helps me feel more energetic, science aside (probably due to not feeling hungry and the associated psychological benefits)… but im also a weightlifter with a side of triathlon, so don’t listen to me, honestly
i have always had GI issues in the run component of the IM. this past sunday, at IM AZ in 95 degree heat I am ever grateful that I choose Infinit.
I had 2 600 cal. bottles on the bike (only about 7 grams of protein in each), and one gel flask of 300 cal. on the run (no protein).
On a day that could have gone horribly bad, Infinit pulled me through. No GI issues, and I wasn’t sick of it by the time the race was finished.
I finished in 10:28, 2nd amateur female and I’m going to Kona!! Might not have been possible with out Infinit. I’m a believer.
Was your nutrition solely on infinit? I have one later on in the year and am planning on going totally liquid but I was curious of the claorie count you can get each bottle up to on infinit. I have used it for oly tri and love it jsut was unsure on the IM distance. Any advice for infinit for an IM?
the more I work with athletes the more I think that two formulas works best. One with protein and one without. Protein seems to work for 6-8 hours, but at some point some people start to get backed up. The solution is to switch over to a non protein (maybe with caffiene) for the run.
I’m definitely using that method for IMLP. Two formulas. I will take in protein up until Mile 75 of the bike and switch over to the formula w/o protein and with caffeine. For FL70.3, I will not be using any protein.
I relied soley on Infinit for the bike - two, 600 cal. bottles and they could have been mixed stronger. on the run, I added coke. First time racing that I didn’t use gels. Also first time racing that I didn’t have GI issues (vomiting or the ‘other’).
As mentioned in a previous post, the bike mix had protein and keep me from feeling hungry.
good luck!!
