Need advice on an Iron comeback..

Well, I don't know if getting a coach would fix your issues of puking on the run. Sounds like that was your only issue.

From the RR's I have read, a lot people have tummy issues when it heats up. I have known many excellent athletes (even ones with coaches) who have thrown up in an IM this year and had a slower race because of it.

In Kentucky my tummy started to get upset at mile 80 on the bike. I just backed off my nutrition, took in more water in and backed off the effort some. I never did vomit during my race, but I was close the entire time.

When you started to feel sick, did you try to alter your nutrition plan at all? Take in more water? Back off the pace some to get your stomach to come around.

I am a heavy sweater and have had issues with meltdowns in many races cuz of dehydration.  This sounds like a nutrition issue where you can get advice from somebody that does that kinda thang in your area.  I did an interview with a sports nutitionist giving race run through and he gave me ballpark what i needed to be drinking, eating, etc, etc leading up to my first IM.  From there there was some practice and trial and error on how and when to get the calories, but after the initial consultation, you have to figure out some of that on your own based on what you can stomach and in what conditions.  Still havent nailed it yet but getting there.

I did alter my nutrition to liquids only when i starting getting sick. I have a really hard time finding something that i can eat on the bike and on the run besides gels and i think that is important to have some solids on the bike at least. What do you all think?


Thanks for all of your advice. I really appreciate your thoughts.

keith

A lot of people will say you can race a full IM without any solids.

Honestly, in my 15:45 day, I only had ONE solid, a Clif bar at like 9:00 AM. Solids are not really necessary.

For me, to trick myself into thinking I was getting solids, I ate some Sharkies (like Clif shots). They are solid, but not real food... just a different form of sports gels... ya know?

With my stomach getting upset on the bike at mile 80... I just kept on with Infinit. Even though I don't love the taste of Infinit (orange Gatorade fixes that), it serves a purpose... to get everything I need to "eat" in one hour through a concentrated liquid form. I loved being able to carry 4 hours of nutrition in one 24-oz water bottle.