how many salt tablets for an olympic race?

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2006-08-07 3:16 PM

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Subject: how many salt tablets for an olympic race?

2006-08-07 8:26 PM
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Subject: RE: how many salt tablets for an olympic race?

It depends on your weight, how hot the day is, if you are taking in something like Gatorade Endurance or Heed vs. plain water, etc. 

My best recommendation is to practice in as close to estimated race conditions as you can and practice starting with the low end of the recommend salt tab dosage (e.g. 1 Endurolytes capsule per hour is the minimum).   Increase from there if you feel cramping during your workouts.  Also, try a sweat test.   Weigh yourself with no clothes on before and after your training session to see how much - if any - weight you lost. 

2006-08-07 9:04 PM
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Subject: RE: how many salt tablets for an olympic race?
I don't think this is going to help answer your question, but I had two Olympic tris separated by 6 days (bad planning). Anyway, during the first one, I took two salt tablets. During the second one, I forgot to take any. I felt no worse for not having taken them and I performed equally in the two events. Bottom line, I don't think it made a bit of difference for an Olympic distance event. I'm sure others will tell you differently. Just how it worked for me.
2006-08-07 9:12 PM
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Subject: RE: how many salt tablets for an olympic race?
I don't think you need any for a short distance race, certainly not if you are drinking Gatorade, Cytomax or equivalent....I don't even take any for a half iron distance race...coaches I have spoken to say it's pretty hard to deplete your electrolytes unless you are prolific sweater and racing long distance in extreme conditions....
2006-08-08 7:40 AM
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Subject: RE: how many salt tablets for an olympic race?
I sweat a lot, so during the two Olympics I did, I took one each and had (overall) 16 oz. of electrolyte replacement fluid plus water-water-water galore.  During the most recent Olympic, I felt fairly salty at the end (especially on my chest, face and arms), so I probably should have upped the electrolyte fluid. 
2006-08-08 8:09 AM
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Subject: RE: how many salt tablets for an olympic race?
I agree with ZERO as the answer. To me, an Olympic is too short a distance to really have any effect.

I did my first Half Iron earlier in the year and the advice I got from some experienced Ironmen was to bring along the tablets but only take them if you're starting to feel a bit woozy. As it turned out, I didn't need them. Of course, I was taking in Cytomax, Gatorade, etc. which, as stated in previous post, should be enough to replace your body's salt & minerals.

2006-08-08 8:28 AM
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Edited by JeepFleeb 2006-08-08 8:29 AM
2006-08-08 8:39 AM
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Subject: RE: how many salt tablets for an olympic race?

Depends on heat/humidity, sweat rate, and availability of Gu's, Gatorade, etc. 

but for me personally, I have never used them except in half-IM training, and even then, rarely.  1-2 caps in hour 2 of my ride gave me 'salty throat' and tasted gross.  I may skip it on race day unless I start to feel woozy, as suggested above by another respondent.

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