Ironman Perform

Steele

I have been trying to dial in my nutrition for IMLOU. During the OS I have been using Infinit on the bike, then a gel on the run for days with bricks. The problem I am having is GI issues, even with a short run.

I have purchased some of the on course nutrition, IM Perform, and will be trying that for the next few weeks to see how my body reacts. Has anybody been using IM perform? It is the on-course nutrition, some of my non EN training partners, suggest training with nutrition that will be on the course, so as to avoid issues ( like losing your bottle on a bumpy road ).

Thoughts?

 

 

vickaiser

I've been training with IM Perform for a few months in prep for IM TX. I like it. Sits well in my tummy. I like it 'cause it's not as sweet and "syrupy" as Gatorade.

Steven Ford

The only issue I see with Perform is it lack of calories, but if you are only using it to hydrate that should not be an issue. It is good to see if you can tolerate it as even if you bring something different you may up end up using it.

How much protein does your infinit have? I know if there is to muc that could cause some GI issues.

Also I have switched from GU's to Honey Stingers and have had great success.

 

Steve

Paul Hough

I used it at IM Arizona this past November...looked like Gatorade...went down like Gatorade...tasted like Gatorade (just not quite as sweet like Victor noted). And it must have killed WTC that virtually every aid station yelled out "Gatorade" even though it was Perform. I had no experience with Perform before Arizona but had no problems with it on race day.

Joe Matchette

@Bill -- Here is a pretty good article about the drink from Ben Greenfield: http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2010/08/my-thoughts-on-the-new-ironman-perform-sports-drink-from-powerbar/ .

I know that Coach Rich has said that he plans on using only Perform at IMMoo this year (KISS principle and all), I just don't see how you can get in the calories he prescribes. But more importantly, the sodium content is such that he will have to down 2 2/3 bottles per hour --- 55 ounces of fluid -- just to get 500mg of sodium each hour. And that is a lot of fluid.

jburbatt

Posted By Paul Hough on 09 Apr 2011 08:12 PM

I used it at IM Arizona this past November...looked like Gatorade...went down like Gatorade...tasted like Gatorade (just not quite as sweet like Victor noted). And it must have killed WTC that virtually every aid station yelled out "Gatorade" even though it was Perform. I had no experience with Perform before Arizona but had no problems with it on race day.

I also laughed at this at IMOO last year.  Of course when they were yelling out Coke and handing me random store brand that tasted awful I was extremely disappointed.  

 

Re: using IMPerform on the course- you will likely definitely have to take a salt supplement.  I didn't have any trouble adding it on to the IMPerform.  Just make sure you properly calculate the calories you need and how much you are really getting in that tiny little cup...

Coach Rich

I got hooked up with a free tub of the stuff and have been using it. I like it but haven't yet paid attention to how many cals and sodium are in it. I guess I'll need to start paying attention to that at some point but in the meantime I've learned I can get away with eating a crazy low number of calories during rides so I continue to be lazy and not pay much attention to it...

Nemo Brauch

Bill- if your stomach tolerates it and you can 'live off the land" (use what is on the course), then I think that's a great way to go. As folks have said, the biggest issue with Perform is that it doesn't have enough calories to be your sole source of nutrition, so you have to come up with a plan to supplement.

How many calories/hour are you consuming during your Brick rides? When do the GI issues strike? And does it seem related to the GU or the Infinit?

penlynwilson

I beg to differ on the calorie front - you can get 210 cals and 51 grams of Carbs in a 24 oz bottle (70 cals and 17 g carbs per 8 oz serving). Yes, you may need to supplement with sodium, but you should be able to get your calories using Ironman Perform.

scottwstewart

To add to Penny's comment, a 24 oz bottle of Perform also has 570 mg of sodium. So you may or may not have to supplement it with salt tablets.

Coach Patrick

Remember, you won't really know how you feel about the stuff until hour 4 of your race sim! And if it's the same flavor for the bike and the run on race day, I suggest you look into a bike alternative...

autospa1

I like the lighter flavor. Not as light as HEED that I prefer; I do like the lower calories and sodium. Gives the ablity to lower them for easier days/moderate temps and supplement if you need additional. No problems with it yet

Michele Cellai

Last year for IMMoo, I purchased Perform and used it during run training to be sure that I could tolerate it for the race. It was fine.

I used Infinit on the bike and Perform on the run. It was great.
The only issue- it comes in 3 flavors. Lemon-lime, Mandarin Orange, Fruit Punch.
I did not like Lemon-lime and it was the only one available on the bike.
The run had fruit punch and orange, but the aid stations were running out. Hope they stock better this year.

Steele

Posted By Nemo Brauch on 11 Apr 2011 02:31 PM

Bill- if your stomach tolerates it and you can 'live off the land" (use what is on the course), then I think that's a great way to go. As folks have said, the biggest issue with Perform is that it doesn't have enough calories to be your sole source of nutrition, so you have to come up with a plan to supplement.



How many calories/hour are you consuming during your Brick rides? When do the GI issues strike? And does it seem related to the GU or the Infinit?

 

I did an 11 mile run this past Sunday, used only IM Perform and two Power bar gels, with NO caffiene. Came out just fine. I am going to use the IM Perform for this Sat. brick, the run is at HM pace, it should give me a good indication if the GI issues are related to Infinit. I typically use two scoops of Infinit for a 90 min ride, then use a gel just befroe I go out on a run. Typically, about 15 mins into the run, thoughts of Uta Pippig are foremost on the mind.

I'll keep you posted.

I do like the IM Perform - it is no where near as heavy as Gatorade.

tgarson

Last year at IMWI I relied on my own drink mix (EFS + CarboPro) on most of the bike but did take in a bottle of Perform towards the end and again relied on Perform during the run. I tried a few bottles of it prior to the race during training to ensure I tolerated it and researched the nutritional info. As others have hinted, I wouldn't rely on it entirely for your caloric needs but I don't think it's half bad.

One thing that I always do remember about Perform however is Mike from Infinit actually giving it a pretty favorable review in a few of the nutrition talks from last season. The 'features' of the drink, including a blend of multiple carbohydrate sources that is supposedly a lot better than Gatorade's fructose heavy mix. This year I'm using Infinit through and through, but I wouldn't have much reservation about supplementing my nutrition plan with Perform as necessary.

Coach Rich

+1 on the lighter flavor and I don't have many taste expectations on the run. My mind is pretty much taken up by how much pain I'm in, with not much room for much else. I'm a water, sports drink, coke guy on the run, pretty much

Steele

Well, did the brick Saturday, then ran at a HMP/Z3 pace, had no issues.

Sunday's run - 11.3 miles in 90 mins. Used IM perform and Powergel, no issues. I have two weeks of the OS left, I am going to keep using the IM Perform. I think the real test will come after transition (one week), then right into IM plan. The longer workouts along with the heat of summer will be the true test.

Bill