On-Bike Hydration strategy - water intake.
Hi all - I have switched recently to the Haus-approved strategy of using 1 x feed bottle of Infinit mix & 2nd aerobar bottle of water (or vice versa).
During my last race (HIM) I consumed a 3hr bottle of Infinit Ride (standard formula) with sips of water after each swig & also in-between feeds - in my case I was swigging Infinit every 15minutes.
What I did experience - and here's my query - was that I was getting bloated on water. I felt that I needed the water intake - at one point I ran out of water and had to drink more Infinit unfortunately until I reached the next feed/water station.
Water volume-wise, I started out on 1 x profile aero-bottle and topped up (I'd estimate) another half-bottle - ride was 3hrs long - pee'd once during the race (5:30 + total) on the bike about 3 miles out of T2.
As a newbie to this system, I'm wondering if getting bloated on water is common and that instead it may be worth experimenting with a dilute mix of another product (other than Infinit for a taste difference) in the 2nd bottle and refresh occasionally at feed stations with water (quick swig & dump bottle). In years gone by, i was used to doing 3-4hr winter road rides with 2 x 750ml bottles of sports drink - can't remember having issues other than taste 'boredom'.
I appreciate there's osmolity issues and also that I may have to just experiment some more on longer rides - also did think that perhaps sucking at the aerobottle straw (sometimes while empty) intro's more air into the stomach which may have caused the problem.
Any thoughts? Need to get this sorted before I go down the route of dialling-in my own Infinit formula and also mixing up 5-6hr feed bottle(s) for full IM.
Thanks!
Comments
Here is what may have happened. You were doing great diluting the concentrated mix. You ran out of water and drank more of the concentrate. Your body said "Hey, look at all that concentrated stuff in his stomach. We need to get that diluted so I can absorb it. Put more fluid in his stomach and slow the emptying to dilute!" All that means you get bloated.
If you want to use a concentrated bottle, you need to KNOW how to work it for your body. I am very cautious with concentrated bottles with clients because they can go wrong easily if not done right and practiced.
OTOH, if you had something that worked, you can always use it. Remember - do what works for YOU!
Hi Penny - thanks for your input - you're right (my bad!) there isn't a haus approved strategy, just 'cos its favoured by many on here doesn't mean it works for everyone.
I ran out of water - tried to refill my aerobottle on the fly but was obstructed by a dick slamming on his brakes! - can remember craving a swig of water (was a hot day & I was approx 40m into the hilly ride) and couldn't face concentrated Infinit instead, but thought I'd better had.
Hit the next feed, made extra sure I filled up properly this time & had a good drink - too much perhaps & certainly a larger water intake in one go than previously.
On the plus side - the 3hr Infinit bottle was palatable - with water chasers - about to start full IM training, a 5-6 hr concentrate may be a different proposition, may need to carry a spoon!
Many ways to skin that nutrition cat - did read one Pro that just carried fluid electrolyte mix & then used gels for carbs (like 4 gels an hour) - was a way he could dial-in exactly his intake - PITA carrying that many gels, consuming them I feel would be OK so long as you stick to the new non-sticky gels (like Gu, powerbar etc), we have SIS & Torq over here that are about as concentrate as Infinit.
Another Pro was creating a feed-bottle by mixing gels with water - could be more that she has boxes of gels for free!
Keep us posted!
Hi Penny - if you have a spare moment, I would value your advice on my recent sweat test - initially posted under the 'heavy Sweater' thread. Thanks! Dave
@Penny - Hi there Penny - did a sweat test today; followed your protocol - 1hr 40min ride, approx low to mid 70's F temps, an ABP ride on fresh-legs - didn't drink at all (I know!) but thought it'd make the calcs easier - lost 1.7kgs (3.75 lbs).
Kinda surprised by the fluid loss in 100 minutes riding! Does this make me a heavy sweater? Although I do need to re-check the numbers - had to 'bend my brain' a little to do a mass of conversions to metric measures! At that sweat rate I'd need 1.2 to 1.9 litres of fluid per hour - more than 1 x 750ml big bottle - seems high??
Need to work out the sodium levels.................
Cheers!
John (aka Mr. Wilson)
P