My First Impressions with Allen Lim's Drinks, Rice Cakes, & recipes
Quick background...
- each year I try something new. sometimes it sticks (power meter, EN, 110%PlayHarder Compressions), sometimes it doesn't (Base Performance Products, logging every freakin' minute of every freakin wko).
- I've been wanting to cook more for a few years. something that would not only benefit my training, but also something that would offer (convenient, edible) variety for the family of wifey + 2 high schoolers + 1 3rd grader.
- I really enjoy trying tricks of the ol' skool, like taking actual PB&J's, small baked potatos, etc along on training rides.
- despite successful race rehearsals, I had really bad Gut Rot/bloating way too early at IMFL. My nutrition basically came to a halt before the end of the bike. The last 30' on the bike were an effort to put anything in my mouth. The run was horrible. Knew what was coming. Held goal pacing for the first 13 then hung on in survivor mode for the next 13. I totally attribute that to the nutrition. Now....I know that I played some kind of role in the nutrition not working for me, however, Lim's pitch sounds very familar for what I struggle with on really long days....he can nail the hydration, nail the calories (amount and types), avoid the gut rot. Sold. Worth a try. I don't plan on eating the rice cakes after the bike at IMMoo. I plan on converting to the usual gels by the time the jostling run hits. Anyways, I'd like to (and I know its early in the year) get used to his system earlier rather than later in training. THIS POINT will answer your question as to why I'm riding longer on the weekends, to get used to it. MY NUMBER ONE FOCUS FOR 2013 IS TO NAIL MY NUTRITION.
So, that's already too much talking...
Finally, got the cookbook at Christmas and have already cooked several meals with it. So far, as advertised, and the bottom line is that I'm enjoying preparing the stuff. Plenty of leftovers and they save well, too. I know I won't be able to cook this way EVERY day, but I'm shooting for several meals a week, knowing this improvement will build my foundation for better fueling. Including using several of his pre-ride breakfast recipes (easy and tasty).
The rice cakes for the ride were very easy to make, very easy to transport, very tasty, and very easy on my stomach. Been using them on my 50+mile Saturday group rides that are hard working up the hills but No Drop right now. Basically, around 20mph effort right now, upping to 24's by spring. Also, using them on Sunday 32 miler that is a little quicker pace for this time of year (by normal folks standards). No prob with the rice cakes, at this point, like 'em alot, and they do seem to keep the energy coming in a very steady manner. I've done 1 'little' bar every hour, that's about 200-250 cals.
Hydration on these rides have been from Lim also. Secret Drink Mix, Skratch Labs. Very light. Electrolytes covered, per Lim. I'm a heavy sweater so I'll be watching this one closely. But, it did taste good, not gummy like the usual suspects. Drank one bottle per hour.
Still early, so jury is still out. But, a very good first impression. Seems to offer much of what I'm looking for.....tools for training in addition to better overall (daily) nutrition and fueling.
I'll try to update periodically as to any pro's or con's that I see pop up.
Comments
Nemo, I'm just starting this experiment. At this point, obviously, there aren't any big runs coming off a big bike. And, right now, I can't even tinker with that because I'm on a minimal run rehab thingy due to a calf warning sign. But, as soon as that is better (~3 weeks), I'm gonna test some brick runs out. And, like I said, planning on last rice cake 'bar' to be a solid hour before I get off the bike and then transition to the quicker gels. Basically, just reducing the amount and duration of me taking in the sugary gels.
I do want to be clear, I am not saying that this is better than what we've been taught from Rich, Patrick, Jesse, Infinit Michael and so on. I'm simply building on my experience. Lots of Perform, lots of PB gels--->7 hrs later---->gummed up mouth, bloated, slight nausea. So, my thinking is to reduce that time frame, 7 hrs down to 3-4. Did I try the Perform/Gels for the rehearsals? Yes. And I didn't have any bad bloating but I do remember that it became tougher and tougher to force myself to fuel as scheduled. That may have been the sign that I missed.
Brenda, these are from The Feed Zone. That may be the Zone diet you're referring to, but not to confuse it with the other Zone diet trend that became so popular a few years ago.
All, keep in mind that this is not a Lose Weight or Cal counting cookbook. This is about keeping energy stores up for long days/weeks/months. I do expect it will help me with body comp quicker than the past attempts but that probably has more to do with eating better, less processed.
I bought some of the Scratch Lab drinks and I find that they have way too few calories for me. My wife loves the stuff. I've been drinking Cytomax and haven't had any issues, just thought I'd try something different. I use 2 scoops of Cytomax, so about 180 calories in a bottle and I go through one every 45-60 minutes. The scratch labs drinks have less than 90 calories I believe. I tried a couple of times and always felt like I was bonking 90 minutes into the ride. I guess you're supposed to supplement it with real food, but it just seems to add to the hassle factor.
I'll be practicing TSDM with rice cakes on the bike, but start transitioning to PowerBar Gels by the end of the bike. I don't think 4 hours of a jostling run will help digest rice cakes.
1) Calories. Skratch labs drink mix has a lot less cals than Gatorade/Perform, which I think will be good for my gut, but I'm worried about how to make up for those calories to get what I need.
2) Logistics of carrying rice cakes- have you all used these during races? How do you carry multiple rice cakes on you? Do they stay ok in the heat all day?
I do plan to switch to gu's on the run, I have been fine with these in the past.