infinit do you supplement?

Vicki Meadows

I just switched to Infinit to use for IMAZ.  I tried my custom formula which only had 240 calories, I usually take at least 300 as a mix of perform, powerbars and use salt sticks if I need extra sodium.  I changed to Infinit because I started cramping as a new issue which could not be due to increased mileage/intensity.  Taking in extra salt sticks did not help and only bloated my stomach so I could not even get my running belt buckled during my last HIM! My infinit formula had calcium and magnesium in addition to sodium and potassium and much less cramping for my last two rides (80 miles each).  However, as I suspected nowhere near the calories I need.  I was starting to bonk at mile 40 and had to supplement.  Last 80 mile ride I supplemented too much trying not to bonk and ended up with stomach issues.

I know a number of EN folks use infinit, I'm wondering if you work with them to reformulate (which was my plan) or if you supplement to get additional calories.  Any other suggestions?  I do think they are close on the electrolyte blend however much lower in sodium than EN suggests.  I do prefer the simplicity of dealing with one nutrition source - enough to deal with on raceday!  Also, for hot days, do you supplement with water? Dilute?

Thanks!

sarahkatemcd@gmail.com

I am really interested to hear what others have to say about this! I also recently switched to infinit and have had a similar experience. I really like it over all but feel like I need to add about another 50-100 calories/hr which I was planning to do with real food.

I have limited time left to experiment as IMMD is just 4 weeks away!

Peter Greagg

I have used Infinit for years. I have about 200 cals and 600 mgs of sodium per bottle, which is what I need for hydration per hour. I add a power bar or 2 gels to that, plus additional sodium to bring me up to 1000 mgs per hour. Seems to work for me.

Tom Box

I used infinit for a few years. I mixed it up concentrated and then diluted with water at each aid station. I carried two bottles on my bike which would last for 2/3-3/4 of the IM race. I then would either have one more bottle in my special needs or switch to on course nutrition at that point. It seems to me you can easily adjust your formula up to get more calories which is what I would do. You can adjust for the temp of the day with more or less water to dilute. That is the attraction of infinit ("all your nutrition in one source"), you can get all of your needs in liquid form and don't need to supplement. The downside of infinit is and probably the reason I switched to using on course nutrition exclusively is that if you loose one of your bottles then you have to go to plan B. This happened to me in IMAZ 2013 in the first mile my bottle got ejected going over a bump in one of those first intersections after leaving T1. Just make sure your bottles are secure!

Steve West

Five year Infint user here. After the initial formulation I began to tweak the blend and found what worked best for me but it took more than 1 season of training and racing to get it right. In the end, my blend does not conform to EN recommendations in that I only take in 275 cal/hr and 400 mg Na/hr (5'10" @ 154 lb). My HIM blend is 250 cals/ 400 mg Na.

I like to mix in 26 oz bottles to dilute it more and add more water for hydration per hour then supplement with water on-course as needed for heat.

I am very sensitive to Na and will puff up like 'Bibs the Michelin Man' if I get more than normal. The only time I get crusty sweat is when consuming my Infinit which over a 4 hour ride will double my daily intake of sodium (I have a very low sodium diet but not for medical reasons). I tolerate the excessive (to me) sodium for races to ensure I do not suffer from Na depletion.

For calories, 250 cals was not enough for long rides and above 280 cals I ran the risk of GI issues. The other factor in my blend was the type of CHO. Setting the slider 2 clicks right of center (endurance) works best for me.

Vicki Meadows

Thanks for the info! i think i will start with a reformulation and dilute with more water on hot days. keep it simple, just have to remember to drink it all and not lose it :-)

Bruce Thompson

I've used Infinit for 5 years and love it.  I weight 160 lbs.  I have two formulas...one for the bike and a different onr for the run.  Bike has 285 calories/serving and protein, and a weak flavor.  I concentrated it 3x in a 24 oz bottle, which brings up the flavor.  One bottle lasts for 3 hours, and I get a new bottle in BSN in an IM.  I take water from the aid stations.  I will add some other things on the bike, mainly b/c I get hungry. I will 2-3 bananas during an IM from the course, and get a bagel (tore up into small pieces and placed in a baggie) from BSN.  If hot, I will take 2 to 4 Scaps for extra electrolites.  For the run, my formula has fewer calories (240/serving), more sodium and potassium than the bike formula, and caffeine, no protein.  I concentrate the run Infinit 2x and put it a hand-held bottle that I carry with me so I can sip tiny amounts any time.  I take water from each run aid station.  At run special needs, I get another full hand-held bottle with 2x concentrated Infinit.  If it is hot, I'll get ice from the aid station, place a cube or two in my mouth, crush it up, then take a sip of Infinit.  It cools the Infinit, making an Infinit slushy.  I do all that while running.  I again supplement with Scaps at miles 1, 7, 12,18.  I may take a banana from the course if hungry.  And the last 3 IMs I've finished by 2nd botle of Infinit by mile 22 so then I switch to coke from the aid stations.

In looking back over my records, I actually take in about 400 calories/hour on the bike when you add in the banana and bagel.  For the run it is about 250 calories/hour.  Yeah, so I guess i supplement Infinit but I won't chnage the formulas.  This nutrition plan works for me and I've never had any GI problems or bonks in 7 IM races.

Anu Rao

I use a custom formula of infinit, very low on flavour. Concentrated 3+ hours worth on down tube (replace at BSN) + a small salted boiled baby potato + 1/2 a stinger waffle. I have the alarm go off at 15 minutes - order is stinger waffle, infinit, potato, infinit repeat. Worked well. I tried it in training over and over.

Marc Tanguay

Similar experience as most here.

If I use just Infinit only, then I start feeling a little bonky after the 3 hour mark.  My Infinit mix is 250 cals/hr with medium level protein.  I'm 160lb.

I am supplementing with 1 gel per hour with really good results.  Even though that puts me right at 350 cals per hour, more than recommended, the energy level feels good and don't have any GI issues.  I did try to supplement with bars previously, but that would leave me so full feeling and would then slow my rate of fluid intake.

All that said, I really like Infinit.  Isn't chalky/milky like Perpeteum, and with the custom formula, isn't sticky sweet like Gatorade Perform.  I premix concentrate in the measured bottle and add water with the measured squeeze from the concentrate into the XLAB Torpedo.  Travel light and it works so well after a few test runs.

Vicki Meadows

I ended up trying different strategies with infinite and eventually changed to something else. A friend told me about tailwind nutrition out of Colorado. Originally developed for ultras. It is 100 calories and 333mg of sodium per scoop so 3 scoops is 300 calories and 1000mg of sodium. I used 3 scoops per bottle on an 80 mile ride and actually get a little too full (I'm 125lb). Now I alternate between 3 scoops and 2.5 scoops. It also has potassium, calcium and magnesium which seems a good mix for me - no cramping (unless dehydrated or overdoing it). I did my race rehearsal last weekend - 100 deg on the coast in san diego! I only used the tailwind for 100 miles and had no issues. No extra anything (except ice!)- Did get a little dehydrated and overheated but nutrition was good. Did fine once I cooled down with some ice and drank extra water. Thanks to everyone for your input on the infinit. Just seems to complicated for me especially since tailwind seems to work. Have a few more weeks to dial it in before my race.