Gatorade vs. Water

During my race I think there's a fair chance that there will be enough time for the gatorade to work it's magic!  LOL   But thanks for the advice.  I think the water may be the way to go if only to avoid the stickiness.  I didn't think of that but you are totally right!

Just water for me.... I feel like gatorade gives me wicked heartburn...

Water only is fine.  But be sure to have a gel and a few sips of water (or 1/3 of a Powerbar with water) about 15 minutes before the start.  This will be digesting while you swim and will give you some energy.

+1 to use only brands you're used to. 

In my opinion, think of the race in terms of time.  Good breakfast (200 to 500 calories) 1.5 to 2 hours pre-race.  100 calories (1 gel, or 1/3 of a bar, with water) 15 mintues pre-race.  100 calories 30 to 40 minutes into the race.  100 calories from "food" (gels, bars, fig newtons, bananas) + 50 calories from drink (Gatorade, Powerade, etc) every 30 minutes after that.

If you'll finish your sprint in under 1 hour you need your pre-race gel and one gel with water, OR Gatorade in the bottle, on the bike.  Then drink water and Gatorade on the run.

If your sprint time is closer to 1.5 hours, have a pre-race gel, then one gel with water, OR Gatorade on the bike, then hit one more gel in the last 2 miles of the bike.  Then drink water and Gatorade on the run.

Always take a little of any electrolyte or water they're offering on the run (unless you feel like you're about to puke).  You can't be sure how far it is to the next station, and what they'll have there.  If you get some electolytes and calories in your stomach now, and they don't have any later, you'll be glad.  Your mileage may vary.

Nutrition and hydration have to be learned during training through gradual experimentation until you "know yourself"-- what you can handle and what works.  Once you think you've found something that works, it's even harder to find something better because you don't want to screw up and bonk (or blow cookies) on a training ride with friends.  But this is all part of the game.

Good luck!  Let us hear how you make out.

Just water is fine for me for a sprint, but I usually add a little gatorade to it just so it has some flavor.

For a Sprint, I have a gel before and after the swim and then drink a sports drink on the bike and water from the course on the run. It takes me about 1.5 hours to finish and that combo works well for me. Sometimes I skip 1 or more of the gels. Sometimes I also gel in T2. I base it on how I feel.

My basic principle is: more nutrition near the front so you don't have to on the run where it might give you gastro-intestinal issues.

Note: I'm not saying you should do this. It's just to give you some ideas.

Edited by MacMadame 2009-08-16 3:49 PM