Drink Up, Me Hearties
Hydration is one of the biggest variables in a nutrition plan. While one athlete may consume one bottle an hour, a tall, lanky dude who sweats a lot like myself can drink almost two.
As a general rule of thumb, try to drink every 20 minutes when out on the bike and run courses. If you have a tendency (like me) to lose all semblance of time when racing, set an alert on your GPS watch to remind yourself to drink and eat.
Remember, it's almost impossible to rehydrate on the course once you're dehydrated. By staying on top of your fluid intake, you'll feel stronger throughout the entirety of the course.
It's Electric!
If you have a tendency to cramp (especially during warm races), electrolyte tablets may be a game changer. While their true effects are still somewhat controversial, if it works for you, go for it.
Although I've never thrown up on a course, many athletes swear an electrolyte tablet and some water will revive you from the worst. Be forewarned, though--too many electrolytes can have the same effect as too few.
My Picks
So what are my favorite products when out on the course? Here are a few I swear by (and will be using at IMTX):
Honey Stinger Organic Waffles (Cinnamon)
Honey Stinger Organic Chews (Grapefruit)
GU Roctane Energy Gels (Sea Salt Chocolate and Vanilla Orange)
GU Energy Gels (Tri-berry)
nuun Energy tablets and Plus for nuun (Lemon/Lime)
Jelly Belly Sport Beans Extreme (Watermelon)
Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes Extreme
Goldfish or Pringles
Remember, what works for me (Goldfish, anyone?) may not necessarily work for you. It's important to test the products out yourself and find your best fit before race day.
Check in with me at IRONMAN Texas on Twitter (@nystrummin and @active) and on Instagram (@nystrummin and @activedotcom). for updates and images throughout race weekend.
Interested in starting your own IRONMAN journey? Check out IRONMAN.com for a race near you.
