Gray Guys/Girls Masters Focus Triathlete Forum--OPEN! (Page 34)

I think there are a couple problems combining a gel pack and a sports drink together.

The first is the sodium concentration you would get from combining the two products.  Too much sodium you become increasingly thirsty, you drink more, and that can lead to all kinds of problems.

Next is the overall electrolyte concentration you would have.  Two much electrolyte can cause as many problems as too little.

Finally, there are the calories you would be taking in.  A general rule of thumb is 250-300 calories per hour intake is about all your body can handle during intensive exercise.  Any more and your asking for GI tract problems.  The type that Imodium can't control - if you get my meaning.

There is an alternative though, you might consider Infinit Performance.  I guess you would call it a sports drink.  It is custom made for YOU.  ON their website there are a number of questions that help determine concentration, calorie level, electrolyte level, protein level, etc. Some might say it is a bit on the pricey side (I think it was like $50 for enough to make 25 bottles), although if you actually price it out next to other stuff on the market I didn't think it was excessive.  Having used it, I strongly recommend it. My formula provides 286 calories plus all the other goodies I need per serving which I mix in 24-ounce bottles.  One bottle an hour and I am golden - no thinking which makes for one less thing to worry about on race day.  You can investigate it yourself at http://www.infinitnutrition.us/.

Edited to say: And no, I have nothing to do with Infinit Nutrition other than being an extremely satisfied user.

You killed it!!

My 8K was my slowest one yet--but I know I ran smart for where my legs are these days and kept my head in the game so I'm happy with the race.

I signed up for the new Historic Petersburg HM April 18.  The Petersburg Battlefield is about 15-20 minutes from my house and the course will run through there .....having run the battlefield a few times I know it is going to be a crazy hard course cause it is hilly with shortcut steep hills and hard banks  it's miles 4-7 of the course and there will be a battle reenactment going on during the race  Not a PR kind of race, but one heck of a challenge for sure!!

Sounds like an interesting race.  Since the battlefield is only 15-20 minutes away, you should be able to get in some training runs on the course :-)

Sounds like a fun race Judi.  I am a history buff so the re-enactment would be a problem.  I would have to stop and watch . . . which probably wouldn't help my time very much!

I know!  Right? 

The kids are already asking if we are doing the "normal" Thanksgiving feast, by which they mean WAY to much food.  On the one hand, I consider myself somewhat the gourmet chef and absolutely love taking a couple days and cooking the Thanksgiving meal; on the other hand, I haven't yet mastered removing all the calories from the Thanksgiving feast.  Yeah and don't talk to me about portion control, we all know how that works at the Holiday table.  Oh well, I can think of worse reasons for having to do extra workouts.