Any other suggestions besides gels and infinit for IM?

Yea, what he said.  I would try to train with what they are using on the race course first to make sure it agrees with you.  For IM Japan, I can't find half of the stuff they are dishing out so i'm bringing my own, except for the water.

As my primary source of bike calories I have used Spiz for 4 IM and plan to use it for my 5th.  In training I've mixed up to a 1200 calorie bottle for a 6 hour ride.  Some energy drinks get nasty after getting warm on the bike.  I have not had a problem with Spiz,  it still taste good when warm.    

Run calories come from whatever they have on the course. 

Perpetuam is very popular.

Ok guys....Just did a HIM yesterday and gels do NOT work for me.  I had 2 gels, 1/2 bar, 3 shot blocks and 36 oz of GE.  My stomach just shut down.  I didn't eat anything after 40 miles on the bike.  All i had on the run was water.  I didn't even push this race like a HIM because i wanted to work on my IM nutrition.  I stayed in zone 2 the entire time on the run and bike.  I was dragging the last 5 miles of the run because I only took in like 600 calories the whole day and didn't eat anything for 3 hours.  I couldn't put anything down on the the run.  My body was actually making me dry heave and i could still feel the gels in my stomach. 

So i know it wasn't because i was going to fast cause i was in zone 2.  Also, i had enough fluid because i had to go to the bathroom at mile 8 on the run.  So i had enough water to digest.  I even tried taking TUMS which a lot of people say works great and it semi-helped, but still couldn't put anything down.  Anyone had this bad of problems.  I'm doing IMLouisville and i think i'll have the endurance, but obviously won't be able to finish if i can't eat anything.

I had gastric issues when I did my first couple HIMs.  Was drinking Perpetuem on the bike, and a little Gatorade.  Then Gatorade on the run.  I was eating gels, etc. on the run.

Then I talked with Hammer nutrition rep, who said it's important to know how many grams of carbs and/or calories you need per hour.  He suggested I get half my calories from Perpetuem on the bike, and half from gels, then just drink water.  So I'm an average sized female, and need to take in about 250 calories per hour.  That comes out to one scoop of the Perp and one gel.

I've switched completely away from Gatorade or any carb containing sports drink.  I strictly use Nuun.  By following these recommendations, I completely got rid of my stomach problems.

Sorry i did not tell you that i did drink water.  I wasn't following the GU's with GE....I know better than that.  I would take a GU and then do 6-8 oz of water and it didn't help.  It still sat in my stomach.  I will try infinit or the hammer products.  Just need to get it figured out in the the next 12 weeks!

Just want to echo that training is for figuring out what works.  For me it was Perpeteum and 1/2 strength Gator Aide.  In shorter training rides I used Power Aide Gels - BUT bananna Strawberry flavor just makes me sick.  I carried Gels for back up on the bike, and did end up using some at the end of the ride.  (needed more energy and I was tired of the Perpeteum)

Here's another tip.  Typically available on the IM bike course: Gator aide (you can check on the flavor), Water, Banannas, Cookies, Power Aide Gels (they had the dreaded bananna Strawberry at IMFL last year) and I don't remember what else, although there was some more food stuff.  On the Run Course:  Gator aide, Water, Coke, Broth, Cookies, pretzels. Banannas, Oranges, PowerAide gels (other flavors).  Incorporate some of these on your long practice days and see how they work for you. 


You do not want to try something new at mile 130 and find it makes you sicker than a dog. 

Good luck with your training.  Remember Nutrition is the fourth dicipline

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.  I am going to try infinit this weekend on my long ride and see how my stomach holds up.  If that doesn't work then i'll try some hammer stuff.  Hopefully i can get it figured out before the IM!

Perhaps you're trying to take too much in too short a time?  Sounds like you were at 300+ cal/hr.  Try cutting back 25-50 and see what happens.  

Also, perhaps it's best to try fewer 'sources' until you find some things that work for you (i.e., don't go and combine gels, bars, blocks and sports drink all in one ride/workout).

Sorry i didn't make it clear....I didn't take all that in per hour....Thats all I took in for the entire HIM!  I had a total of about 500 calories for the whole race because my stomach shut down and i couldn't eat anything else.