Taking in calories = stomach cramping

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2009-07-22 2:03 PM

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Subject: Taking in calories = stomach cramping

I am training for my first HIM in September.  I have done sprint and oly distance races and have not worried about nutrition for those distances.

I have recently started trying to take in calories while riding and have found that "gu" gives me terrible stomach cramps about an hour after taking one. 

So I have gotten some advice - 1) drink more water when taking one 2) dont take it all at once 3) Try different products.

I tried the more water idea and found that delays the onset of the cramping but did not prevent it.  I am still trying different products and I am not sure what you do with a half consumed pack of gu.

Just wondering, has anyone else experienced cramping when trying to fuel while running and biking? and if so how did you work it out?

2009-07-22 2:10 PM
in reply to: #2302075

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Taking in calories = stomach cramping
try a different gel. sometimes the fructose in gu tend to cause cramping. try hammer gels perhaps.

if you stay away from the "-ose" that is found many racing nutrition products, that may help you not cramp...if it's the "-ose" that is causing your cramping; which it does for some athletes. this includes fructose, sucrose (aka dextrose)

2009-07-22 4:57 PM
in reply to: #2302075

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Taking in calories = stomach cramping
Have you looked into some kind of liquid nutrition instead... like Infinit or something like it?





2009-07-23 7:32 AM
in reply to: #2302075

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Subject: RE: Taking in calories = stomach cramping
I have heard the liquid option is a good one, and have bought some to try on my long ride this weekend.  How would you handle that on the run?
2009-07-23 8:37 AM
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Subject: RE: Taking in calories = stomach cramping
mrmcmasty - 2009-07-23 8:32 AM I have heard the liquid option is a good one, and have bought some to try on my long ride this weekend.  How would you handle that on the run?


I either stash bottles or carry a hydration belt, such as this one.    (There are other brands as well.)

(Lately, I've been stuck doing all my runs around the block so stashing is easy as I just leave them on my front step.  Yes, I've done runs up to 18 miles around the block!  Ugh!  My neighbors think I'm crazy...)
2009-07-23 8:55 AM
in reply to: #2302075

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Subject: RE: Taking in calories = stomach cramping
Check out CeraSport. It's a rice based formula and is in liquid form. It's supposed to be easier on the stomach.

http://www.ceraproductsinc.com/productline/cerasport.html

2009-07-23 10:37 AM
in reply to: #2302075

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Subject: RE: Taking in calories = stomach cramping
I suffered from this issue also.  My stomach would cramp so bad that I would have to stop and lay down for 20 minutes to get it to go away and that was with only doing half of a Gu packet and drinking lots of water.  I have switched to Hammer gels and have not had a single issue since.

Edited by trinity 2009-07-23 10:38 AM
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