Infinit question

rah2774

Hi there... catching up on some of the nutrition forums talking about Infinit I noticed a lot of folks talking about the proper proportions/mix for it.  I also saw someone mention using the "EN Formula" or whatever was specially mixed for you.  I didn't see any other reference or explanation for that and am curious what's up and where I can find that. 

I've never used Infinit - and will likely stick to Hammer gels, Heed, and water for my HIM in June.  But I've got another HIM in August and IMFL in November so I want to give Infinit a try and start training like I'll race...

Any thoughts on Heed v. Infinit?  There's been lots of talk about protein, carbs, calories, etc.  I don't know the difference.  I've never tried Perpetuum which I'm guessing is a closer comparison because Heed has worked for me - probably because I drink more water than anything... and do the gels about every hour on a run and about every 15 miles on the bike.  Only having done one HIM that worked for me... but maybe it was beginner's luck.

Oh, and this is a really stupid question - but it seems like the gels are considered liquids for our purposes.... and from what I see the EN system is to not eat solid stuff, right?

Sorry if these are dumb questions- I admit that I haven't downloaded the nutrition webinar (need a new computer - downloads take forever).

Thanks for your help.

Nemo Brauch

The think about Infinit that folks around here like is that you can customize the mix. So if you are a heavy sweater, you can create a mix with more salt. If you don't like sweet drinks you can dial down the flavor. If you want protein you can add it. Etc.

I've used both Perpetuum and Infinit. I find Infitit much more palatable at the longer distances and easier on my stomach (because I dial the protein way down to almost nil). But you are right, we use it in a similar way (mix a high calorie bottle and use that as your nutrition for the entire race).

And yes, I think most of us consider jel a liquid!

penlynwilson

I would recommend taking the questionnaire on the Infinit site or setting up a call to discuss your needs with them. One of the main reasons I like Infinit so much is that I can customize the strength of the flavor. Most sports drinks are too strong for me. I also added caffeine in the last mix and I think it helped me stay somewhat clear-headed during the marathon.

Another thing - you can have the same mix but two flavors. A lot of people seem to like one flavor on the bike and another on the run to avoid flavor fatigue.

penlynwilson

Posted By Becky Hirselj on 14 Apr 2010 08:25 AM

Any thoughts on Heed v. Infinit?  There's been lots of talk about protein, carbs, calories, etc.  I don't know the difference.  I've never tried Perpetuum which I'm guessing is a closer comparison because Heed has worked for me - probably because I drink more water than anything... and do the gels about every hour on a run and about every 15 miles on the bike.  Only having done one HIM that worked for me... but maybe it was beginner's luck.

Oh, and this is a really stupid question - but it seems like the gels are considered liquids for our purposes.... and from what I see the EN system is to not eat solid stuff, right?

Thanks for your help.

Becky:

First: no question is considered "stupid" here.  

Personally, I consider "gels" to be "gels."  They are not liquid because you have to take down water to reduce the concentration in your stomach or you end up with GI distress.  I think a concentrated bottle falls in the same category.  I don't like and don't typically recommend gels because when you are out there for IM length thinking can get fuzzy and you can forget to take in the water to dilute them.  I'm also a fan of keeping it simple with one, maybe two, things for fuel.

I wouldn't say EN is "no solids" but most people find that their GI systems don't play well with solids during a race.  However, I think it is Scott Alexander who likes a HUGE chocolate chip cookie in his run special needs bag.  You have to find what works for YOU.

 

rah2774

thanks.

@Penny, I did take the questionnaire (actually 3 times - one for "training" HIM and IM distances - just to see the differences - and I clicked the link to do a phone consult.

This is almost a bit overwhelming - so many options... and so much info/science. But, you're right - it's all about what works for me. So I'll talk to the rep and see what I can
get in the way of samples/small quantities to start trying it out and compare it to my Heed/gel system now.

Scott Alexander

However, I think it is Scott Alexander who likes a HUGE chocolate chip cookie in his run special needs bag.  You have to find what works for YOU.

Actually, it was a Rice Krispy treat...yum yum.

I also would consider a gel to be a gel, not liquid. I used to have a flask of gels, which just meant one more thing to lose off the bike or forget in transition.

I use ONLY infinit on the bike. One bottle fruit punch, one bottle orange - to alleviate the flavor fatigue. Diluting it with water in the profile bottle between the aerobars, as most do around here I believe.

rah2774

mmmmm.... that sounds good to me! I have had oreos and fig newtons on long runs....
looking forward to my infinit call - we'll see what the rep has to say...

amy_ball

How do you guys actually create a concentrated mix of Infinit? during my last Ironman, I kept mixing Inifinit as I went along. I literally carried sandwich bags with 2 scoops of Infinit in each and mixed it with 20oz of water on the course. This, obviously, is a huge waste of time; stopping to create my Infinit drinks along the way. I created 5 water bottles of Infinit in this manner.

Cary Blanco

I like to have an entire Lobster plus claws & bib in my special needs bag. I keep the clarified butter in an aerobottle. I can get a bit messy, but I haven't been penalized for dropping a finished claw on the bike course.

Seriously, I can eat almost anything solid on the bike. if I do it early enough, say an hour before the run, I'm usually fine. I usually opt for a Cliff bar or fig newtons. This is in addition to liquid nutrition (previously Perpetum, now Infinit). I like the feeling of a little bit of solid food in my body, it tricks me into thinking I'm not hungry.

Spokane_Al

@Amy, I make a three hour bottle by putting a half inch or inch of water in the bottle first, then add six scoops of Infinit, followed by slowly filling the bottle the rest of the way with water. It works great for me and I find that I like the taste of the concentrated mix vs. the more diluted versions.

Then I drink as much water as I want via an aero bottle, refilled from aid stations during the race.

@Becky, I would suggest that your first step (if not already done) is to determine your calorie per hour needs on the bike. Then you can determine the best way for you, personally, to ingest those calories. The Heed vs. Infinit comparison is not really valid because Heed is not designed to provide calories, and really is an alternative to Gatorade, rather than Infinit.

Chris G

Posted By Amy Ball on 14 Apr 2010 02:46 PM

How do you guys actually create a concentrated mix of Infinit? during my last Ironman, I kept mixing Inifinit as I went along. I literally carried sandwich bags with 2 scoops of Infinit in each and mixed it with 20oz of water on the course. This, obviously, is a huge waste of time; stopping to create my Infinit drinks along the way. I created 5 water bottles of Infinit in this manner.

Forget how many scoops [maybe 5] but I make enough to get me through about 3 hours.  One bottle is all I need for a half and for IM I just grabbed a second one [pre mixed] at Special Needs.  No fuss no muss.  For the run I like Gels but have been known to eat whatever they have at aid stations for no apparent reason at all.

I have a good tolerance and can really eat about anything while riding but infinit makes it a whole lot simpler and easier.  No messing with gels/bars/cheeseburgers while riding.  I also found that I need something different on the run as I am sick of whatever it was on the bike after enough of it.

I never understood the EN mix infinit thing as the whole point of infinit is to tailor it to fit your needs.  Play with the sliders Call them and they will help out.  If you plan to concentrate it I suggest dialing back the flavor a lot.  That was it does not taste nearly as bad.

penlynwilson

I figure out how many hours of fuel I need and get the number of scoops. Then, divide that by the number of bottles I'll be using. For example, for the Paris Marathon, I wanted 5 hours of fuel (10 scoops) in 3 bottles. Then, determine how many total ounces the bottles can carry. 3 bottles = about 30 oz. Leave some room for the powder (about 25 oz then). Mix up the powder and water in a separate container (big bowl) and pour into the bottle(s).

I was hesitant about this at first, but it seemed to work fine. Just be sure you are taking down enough water to dilute the mixture. Otherwise, you face GI distress issues.

rah2774

I spoke with Lori at Infinit today... ordered a bag for my bike and my run... plenty of time to get it figured out by my second HIM and the IM... not so sure about EM, but hopefully I'll get it soon to start training with it right away. thanks for all your thoughts!

Cary Blanco

I met Michael from Infinit at the NYC multipsort expo this past weekend, they had a 10 x 20 booth set up. Nice guy, knows his stuff.

Bill McKinney

As for the solids food, I suggest you provoke Marianne into joining this thread. She's famous for eating all kinds of crazy stuff on the bike. I think she puts a PBJ in her Bento for every race. I'd say there are only 2 "rules" around here when it comes to your nutrition plan. The first I'd actually call a "maxim", and that's "an empty stomach is a happy stomach"...in other words, don't OVER EAT! The second is probably the most important, and that's to NEVER try anything new on race day. If you haven't done it in a race rehearsal, don't try it in a race. If lobster thermidor goes down well on the run, then by all means, have it on race day.

liebs45

Chris G and others - I have done my RR using 2 3hr concentrated bottles of Infinit, which worked great. But I mixed that 2nd bottle realtime at the 3 hour mark, using my truck as my "transition area". This was because I had a bad experience with a premixed concentrated infinit bottle congealing in the sun at Eagleman by the time I got to the run.

So I have a question for you guys, specifically for Placid - how do you deal with that second bottle at BSN? When do you have to hand it in, the day before raceday or the morning of the race? If you do premix it, do you freeze it so it doesn't get nasty? If you don't premix and just have a 3x bottle of powder, do they have water at BSN at Placid?

Thanks so much guys - I don't post often but try to read as much as I can here when I can.

Liebs

Cary Blanco

@Jonathan - made both my Infinit bottles the night before LP last year and I kept them in the fridge overnight. In the morning I added an ice cube or two to the first bottle and put it on the bike and I put the BSN bottle inside an insulated lunch bag with a small reusable ice block, it was nice and cold by the time I hit BSN.

Stephanie Stevens

At IMCDA, I mixed both bottles of Infinit the night before. One, I only filled partway with water, and stuck it in the fridge. The other one I filled all the way and froze it solid overnight. The next morning, I added ice to the bottle from the fridge and turned in the frozen bottle with my bike special needs bag. My first bottle was cold for the first hour or so, then lukewarm. When I got to SN - my frozen bottle was thawed, but ice cold. It was great to get that cold one!

scott dinhofer

Great thread! I was actually about to post a thread asking about Infinit for newbies, looks like this tackled it!

is there still an EN Discount code for Infinit?

kevhill

I stick all mine into the one bottle - doesn't anyone else do this?

Not that hard to make a 5.5 hour bottle with 10 scoops - for mine that's around 1,400 calories.  I put all the powder in a big glass/jug. Slowly add small bits of water and stir well each time with a  fork - is still a liquid and not gel.  The powder volume actually gets smaller as you add water.  I can just fit mine into an aero bottle (20oz) even.

Just takes small sips every 15-20 mins with plenty on-course water. Maybe put a back-up in BSN if you are worried about dropping the bottle but means you don't have to stop (unless you are a butter fingers ).

Bob Arsenault

@ Scott,  I believe the discount code for Infinit is either EN2009 or EN2010. Both probably work.

Dave Barr

I've done the 5.5 hour bottle before and it makes it easy since you don't have to worry about the second bottle being at special needs.  My flavor is super diluted so even a 5.5 hour bottle has almost no taste.  I jus ttake a sip every 15 minutes and follow with on course water.

Dave

scott dinhofer

EN2010 worked for the discount