Elaine's Spring 2011 Mentor Group - CLOSED! (Page 6)

This is what I did:

I thought about what I liked and didn't like. I had gotten samples of things from races which helped me narrow it down. I do not like the texture of jelly beans, so I never even looked at sport beans. I knew Hammer's raspberry gel had a funky texture. I had tried Clif Shot Blocks and loved them. Basically, I ruled some stuff out. I also decided that I wanted to go the gu/food route, and not mess with drink mixes. I think that way, I'd feel better about being able to "live off the course". What will your HIM offer along the course? 

I hit a running store where I could buy individual servings of stuff. I bought some different Gu's, Hammer Gels, and Clif Shots. I also picked up some Shot Blocks in different flavors. 

Once you buy some experimental supplies, you have a few options:

1. Sample them while not out training, so if they suck, you won't suffer through it.

2. Bring one on your next ride or run and decide to consume it regardless of flavor or texture.

3. Overpack. If you grab a Gu that is just nasty to you, you can choose not to consume it, and try a different one. Make sure you have a plastic baggie to dispose of the mostly-full samples.

You'll start to get an idea of what you like. I prefer Clif Shot Blocks because I've never tried a flavor I didn't like. I also feel like it doesn't stick to my mouth like gels. When I go for Gels, I prefer chocolate and coffee flavors. I've also learned to suck down stuff I don't like (thanks to Option #2 above). This is helpful because if I drop a gel or forget to grab one in transition, I'm prepared to just take whatever is on the course. You might discover you hate gels and solid food, and look into drink mixes to replace your gatorade with something line Infinit.

Next, you need to figure out WHEN you need to take in calories. There are TONS of articles on this, and now is the time to sort out the data and see what works for you. 

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=2093

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/product2007/nutri/gelq1.html

http://www.hammernutrition.com/downloads/fuelinghandbook.pdf?utm_source=guide&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=guidetosuccess

Keep us updated on your nutrition adventure!

For something just a little different than Gu's, etc., I LOVE Stinger Waffles.  At least it is a different flavor and texture than the other stuff.  Also, for something even more different and away from the sweet stuff, I've heard of boing little potatoes and taking them along, and recently I bought some Tanka bars.

Another suggestion is a drink mixture like Infinit, which allows you to custom make your own blend based on your duration of activity, sweat rate, caloric needs, etc.  This adds calories and electrolytes and other good stuff while on long rides so there is less of a need to take food or 'food'.

I play around with different gels on my long ride and run days.  Gu and Accelgel work best for me.  I just started the stinger waffles before a race, they are pretty tasty. 

When trying a new product I try to pay attention to my stomach to see if I have any different feeling there that is abnormal.  Some things seem to feel like they are sloshing around and make me slow pace. 

With some reading I stay away from the liquid products, I really feel that it is to much liquid adn I feel blotted. 

Hope that helps some. 

ladlehaus - 2011-05-21 12:16 PM Thanks for the advice, everyone. I went with the regular gatorade and half a clif bar today. Our local sports store and GNC didn't have anything. I'll get a variety of things to try tomorrow. Anyways, the clif bar must have worked. According to my garmin, my top speed, which was in the last half of my ride, was 466.2 mph.  

That's over half the speed of sound!!! Amazing!

If anyone is interested, here is my race report from Saturday, my first race of the season! This race had been my first ever last year, so I was looking to improve my performance, which I did.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=253410&posts=1&start=1

How was everyone's weekend?

Does anyone have any experience with a swim skin or speed vest.  i am thinking of getting something.  My wife got a wetsuit and immediately shaved 2 mins on her long swims.  I really dont like the wetsuits but looks like I have to step up or get my butt beat. 

Wetsuits have temperature regulations. Swim skins do not. I haven't worn one, but a few guys I know have. They help decrease drag.

Have you looked at wetsuit pants as an alternative? Added buoyancy with none of the constricting feelings up top...

That is a good Idea I started to look at some but have not done to much research on them. 

with all our storms I am going to have to get a wet suit just to work some.  Three days of straight rain, hail, tornados, wind.  Please go away i want to run with dry feet. 

I feel better now. 

I race in two weeks the lake we are swimming in dropped in temp from 68 to 60 degrees with the last three days of storms.  wow that is going to be cold. 

Wow! That's some seriously cold water! Get in there before race time, and try to keep your breathing and heart rate steady. It'll be rough, but you'll do fine!

Did you dodge the storms last night? I was in Muskogee with family and dodged it all thank goodness!

I'm finally back, after finals I took a vacation, but the few days I did try to train it was surprisingly hard. Hopefully sleep and eating/ everything else will start getting back to normal as I pick training back up. I'm also getting a bike finally!!

had a good ride this morning even with the wind.  After wards I put my bike on Bethany's (my wife) car and she forgot it was there when she got home and tryed to pull in the garage.  Bike is now at the bike doctor getting new bars, shifters and brake levers.  poor baby. 

Everyone take care and have fun racing I know we have some coming up. 

Wow! That could have been MUCH worse! I have a friend who worked at a bike shop, and he'd see bikes totally trashed after something like that. Glad the bike will be ok!

Question of the week:

What are you most excited about that is happening in June?

A race? Training changes? Taking time off? A vacation?

I'm excited for my first triathlon at the end of June! Just need one more month of great training.

Dave: yikes!  Hope your steed gets fixed quickly!

Question of the week:

What are you most excited about that is happening in June?  Thursday I leave for the Rev3 Quassy race!  I am doing the Olympic distance Saturday (my first of that distance ~gulp~) and friends I am going with are doing the HIM distance Sunday, so I will have fun watching them and the pro field.  I am really excited about doing my first 'big organization' race but quite nervous about the hills and longer distance.  I just hope to have fun, enjoy the experience, do the best that I can do and finish without incident.

My first tri of the season is June 26. It was the first one I ever did last year, so I'm hoping to destroy my time from last year. Even more exciting, my nine-year-old son is doing the kids triathlon the day before. It will be his first.