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70.3 bike hydration - OSMO, UCAN, or something else?

Daria MatthewsDaria Matthews
in General Training Discussions
I haven't raced since 2014 and I know OSMO has disappeared for a bit and now it's back.  OSMO used to work for me during 70.3 races on my bike and if I'm understanding it correctly it's geared more towards women.  
I hear awesome stuff about UCAN so I'd like to see what will work for me this year.  

What works for you and why? 

Comments

  • Trish MarshallTrish Marshall
    I have used ucan and it did NOT work for me in a half.  Was great in training, just not on the big day.  I am currently using NBS Nutrition which is very similar to OSMO with a male and female formula.  It is made with Stacy Sims formula and she was a major contributor to OSMO.  Hydration in the drink, food for fuel.  I can't really handle gatorade en and used Infinite last year.  That didn't work well for me on IMWI race day either.  Back to the drawing board for this girl!  So far so good with NBS.  BUT...I have not raced with it yet.  We shall see. 
  • Shaughn SimmonsShaughn Simmons
    I try as much as possible to train my body to use what is available on the course.  In most cases these days that means Gatorade Endurance and Power Bar Gels.

    This just makes life much simpler to execute during race day.  Now, as @Trish Marshall has mentioned, that doesn't work for everyone.  However, I have found that, in most cases, with time and practice, you can train most methods of nutrition to work for you.  That said, if you are taking in too much or too little in form of carbs/sodium, no nutritional brand is going to solve your problem.

    SS
  • Trish MarshallTrish Marshall
    @Shaughn Simmons did you know clif shot is the gel of choice for IM this year?  It is definitely a different animal (think much thicker!) that powergels.  And perhaps less sodium?  Just a FYI...:D
  • Shaughn SimmonsShaughn Simmons
    @Trish Marshall Crap!  I'll brining my own power gels I guess.......thanks for the tip!

  • Trish MarshallTrish Marshall
    @Shaughn Simmons I know when I did IMMT they had honey stinger when the rest of North America still did power bar.  The on course drink was not determined yet when I looked.  I'm *pretty* sure I was looking at 2017 athlete guide!  You might want to pop over to it and give it a closer look...couldn't hurt!
  • Danielle SantucciDanielle Santucci
    Daria, I use and have for some time GU Roctane.  For a 70.3 I will condense 3 bottles into 2(aero bottle and one in the back).  I will supplement with water on course.  I'm not a fan of GE at all and prefer the less sweet taste of GURoc.  I only drink my nutrition on the bike and save the gels for the run...which I use what they have on course.
  • Daria MatthewsDaria Matthews
    @Trish Marshall, @Shaughn Simmons, @Danielle Santucci - thank you so much for your input! I use what's on course only for my run since I don't really stop on my bike during 70.3. I think one of my friends is sponsored by NBS so I'll try that out and I'll see how GU Roctane works for me too.  I have until August to get my shi* figured out  :p, but I want to get it done now. Thanks guys and happy training!
  • Patricia RosenPatricia Rosen
    Go to First Endurance website.  I've been using their products (EFS) for 15 years and have never had a problem.  For hot races I add Salt stick and Base.  My running coach swears by the EFS shots.... when every one else is craping and dying out there he speeds on by...  400 calories of balanced salt and sugar... tastes like that yummy cream icing so be aware only a bit at a time.  no tummy ache either!!!  EFS powder, fruit punch flavor is the best.  
  • Daria MatthewsDaria Matthews
    @Patricia Rosen - thank you so much! I will check it out for sure!
  • Patricia RosenPatricia Rosen
    I meant to say Cramping in my original post not craping although either term probably works :)

    There are several blogs on First Endurance for racing in hot weather.
  • Daria MatthewsDaria Matthews
    @Patricia Rosen - girl, I got it, but I did laugh a bit :) 
  • Virginia EdmondsVirginia Edmonds

    Just one more for you to check out, Tailwind.  Same principle as the others mentioned.  It    is what I use for long distances as is vegan.  I use unflavored. 


  • Gabe PetersonGabe Peterson
    +1 on Tailwind.  Used it for my last two 70.3s, a bunch of ultras, and my recent all-day MTB ride on the White Rim Trail.  Can't be beat.
  • Daria MatthewsDaria Matthews
    Thank you @Virginia Edmonds and @Gabe Peterson!  I'll check this on out as well and test out what my stomach likes the best and what works for me. You guys are awesome!
  • DAVID RICHMONDDAVID RICHMOND
    powergel works for me so I put whatever amount (of gel) I need in a water bottle for the bike leg and add water to fill up the bottle.  I also have a Second bottle for water only. I sip the gel bottle every 20-30', chase it down with water. Works like a charm for me (and no gel packet to tear off or to put back in bento when empty, etc...). good luck 
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Trish Marshall said:
    Hydration in the drink, food for fuel.  
    x2!!!!

    In Texas heat, you need hydration more than nutrition (and I've seem to have really low nutritional requirements any way).
  • Alicia ChaseAlicia Chase
    UCan makes several products, one is a separate hydration mix that is fairly new. Not sure which one you used @Trish Marshall I've used the nutrition mix made into a gel for training and racing, and have good luck with it. I used Base salt last summer--could've just been me, one early race was unexpectedly hot, so maybe nothing would've helped. I've been using Ucan hrydration in training this season, and I've had good luck, so far, though it hasn't been very hot, yet.
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