HELP Please-HIM GI Issues threaten IMNC
Hi Team,
I'm an IM newbie, trying to tap into the Team EN knowledge pool to: 1) nail down some possible causes of GI distress at my second HIM-en route to IMNC on 10/22; and 2) figure out a plan to use my last 6 weeks of training to work out those issues. Any advice from people with experience with any of the factors listed below who could weigh in would be very helpful:
This was first experience with race day GI issues. Essentially my stomach did not feel great after I got out of the water (44 mins), but I chugged down my planned Bolthouse Farms Berry Boost Smoothie (240 calories) at T1 and stuck mostly to my nutrition plan on the bike (see below) which was strong for me (3:02). At T2 I continued to stick to the plan, and had another Berry Boost Smoothie (240 Calories). By then it was obvious that I was really having issues, so I skipped my plan to take in 1 gel per 45 minutes, and just went with Gatorade on the course, plus a small cup of coke at mile 10. The run was 2:03. I'm fine with the time, but I needed to be very conservative because of stomach pain. What I see as the most likely culprits follow:
1) Bolthouse Farms Berry Boost Smoothies - sorry to be gross, but I was belching and tasting those darn things the entire run!! They are definitely not going to be part of T2 nutrition at IMNC!! I would still welcome comments regarding other people's experience with using them, because I really like the idea of chugging down semi-solid calories;
2) Overconsumption-race morning at 3:30 a.m. 1 Bolthouse Farms Breakfast Smoothie (380 cals), then at 5:30 a.m. granola (200 cals), milk (20 cals), and another Bolthouse Farms Smoothie (380 cals), PowerAde 8 oz-total race morning intake = 1,000 calories
bike one GU gel (100 calories) plus one package Clif Shot Bloks (200 calories) plus approx. 30 oz Gatorade Endurance (approx. 190 calories) per hour = 490 calories per hour x3 hours = 1,470 calories.
I had an English Muffin with PB&J in my jersey pocket but my stomach did not ever feel strong enough to consume that during the bike,
run - minimal, I was only taking one cup of Gatorade (regular formula) per aid station
3) Protein-Bothouse Farms Breakfast Smoothies include protein, which I thought was a good idea, at the time
4) Ibuprofen-took two race morning, first time ever trying that
5) Sodium tabs-my first experiment with them (took one tablet at T1 and two tablets during the run)
6) Milk - generally use almond milk in the a.m. with my granola. This is a less likely culprit, because I did not have much of it, but I have heard of it causing issues
7) Dehydration.-30 oz was a little less than I was planning on drinking, but it was not a hot day and I was not sweating much.
Any experiences that team members have had with these factors in the past would be really appreciated. I would like to avoid my first IM being compromised by GI issues.
Thanks in advance,
Eric