Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 20)

Originally posted by Socks How is everyone doing? I can't wait Getting deep into big builds. Of course my running is in the toilet but what else is new   Swim coming along after 2.5 years of pool disasters and no good consistent place to swim.  Bike is coming along well.

My bike is continuing to improve from a pretty late start this season.  I continue to ignore the swim, but that will be ok, I hope.  The run was progressing very well, but I aggravated my Achilles and calves and have spent two weeks babying them.  My mind says it will be ok, but still I'm worried. 

I just signed up for a 1/2 mary on Sept 8th.  The plan calls for a 14 mile run that week.  I've missed my last two weeks long runs. 

Anyone watch IM Canada or IM Louisville this weekend for inspiration?  IM Japan next week end.

So Sorry you had trouble....I did read thru the responses below. 

1-Be sure your infinite mix was correct.  I know more than one person who had their races ruined because they got sent the wrong formulation esp if that is what you are used to using
2-How hot was it and do you think that was a factor?  Last year IMFL was warm but typically it is cold so factor that in.  I tell people to be prepared for anything. 
3-It doesn't take much space to carry some extra electrolyte tablets with you if you think that was an issue.  I put mine in a tic tac box.  Like I said IMFL is usually cold but if you can take 2 hours off your time carrying a few electrolyte tabs if you need them well worth it
4-I also put TUMS in my bento box........also worth the less than an ounce in weight and if things are going well you can always throw them off
5-Personally I am a fan of real vs manufactured food but not everyone has an iron stomach like I do. Seriously I could eat a tuna melt on the bike and be fine.  I use twizzlers.  They are cheep, yummy, easily available, don't melt and you can cut them in 1/2 and they fit just dandy in a bento box
6-I also use accelerade as my sports drink of choice but I switch to water after a while.  I have uses lava salts and lava salt powder with great success ( I am a heavy sweater and a salty sweater..........I have turned over 10% of my body weight on long rides) 
7-Practice what you might use
8-Have plan A B and C
9-Consider living off the course.  I eat a lot of bananas off the course on race day but since I live in a hot place not practical for training. I KNOW a banana in the back pocket of my jersey that I have been sweating on for 5 hours in 100 degree heat would be SO appealing to everyone....NOT!!!

I am not fast like you but I am smart and I am a sports doctor.   I have read and studied a great deal on this stuff and what I know is

1-There is no one right nutrition hydration plan that will work for everyone
2-you need to find what works for your body
3-You need fluids, electrolytes and carbohydrates.  It doesn't matter how those three things are packaged.  Can be candy or a gel, but you need to figure out what you can tolerate
4-If you are sick on the bike you are kind of hosed for the mary
5-Its best to maintain euhydration on the bike if you can and get calories in on the bike.  Once you loose 2% of your body weight you LOOSE PERFORMANCE.  I always love it when people think they are heroes because they collapsed at the finish and lost whatever amount of weight or ran til the puked and pushed so hard or whatever when I know they raced stupid and could have done much better if they had had a good hydration plan.  DU-OH
6-Keep it simple. 
7- Race smart

Would be happy to help you or anyone with this stuff........post here or PM me.   There are so many things that can happen during a 140 mile race.  I have read SO SO many race reports and the 2 major places people fall down THAT THEY CAN CONTROL  are 1-nutriton and 2-mental attitude.  Hope this helps   Yeah I am excited.............yeah I can barely run but whatever   High five me when you lap me OK

That is interesting about the EFS connection.  I did a local IM distance race the same day as IMMT and had a similar problem, although never reached your level.  I used EFS drink and gel at the race as well.  But I had some of a peanut butter sandwich later in the bike than I think I should of in hindsight and thought it might have been that.  For me it was just nausea and a tight stomach whenever I would try to run.  I had used the EFS for 3 HIM over the prior months without incident, but I did get a new supply of both in the weeks before the long race.

Anyways, next week starts the specific build for FL and I am looking forward to focusing on that race.  I am going to try a couple of different nutrition strategies though!