Run only salt intake?

afrost

Here's my dilemma.  I think I need salt during Ironman because I get foot cramping after about 2 hours of running - maybe 3, but definitely in that last hour, making it impossible to pick up the pace.  But taking it on the bike is a hassle - I have to search around in my bento box to find the little suckers hidden among my food, or  search around in my jersey pocket inside the Ziploc bag they are in, (in both cases probably nearly running over or into someone as I do so).  So what if I just started taking salt pills on the run?  Can I do this?  If so, should I just do the 1 per hour I would normally do?  Or should I double up if I am forgoing salt on the bike?  Or should I figure out some system that I can take salt easily and safely on the bike?  (and if the latter, can you give me a good system?  )

 

Thanks for your help!

 

---Ann.

Peter Greagg

Hi Ann — I don't know how much sodium you take on the bike so I can't really comment.
FWIW, I take around 1000 mg of sodium per hour on the bike (using my own drink mixture and powerbars etc) and use gels on the run with around 600 mgs of sodium on the run.

I use an electrolyte with 2 sources of carbs and sodium and potasium on the bike and add sodium to that mix.

It works for me.

stevekw

@ Ann,1 or 2 SaltStick dispensers on the bike will hold all the salt tablets that you need...right on the handlebars, and easy to use...have used them for years
http://www.saltstick.com/products/ssfull/ffeatures.htm

afrost

@Peter, I will do the math on how much sodium I am actually getting from everything else I am eating/drinking. May be able to tweak that to increase it somewhat. That could help.
@Steve, that is awesome!! I have never seen this device before. This is exactly what I need. Now to find one before next Sunday!

Thanks a bunch to both of you.

---Ann.

ebe4zippy

Ann,
I have put salt sticks into my feed bottle for IM and HIM races. It makes it quite salty! but it also forces me to drink more water after I "eat", which makes the digestion easier for my stomach anyway (600 calorie bottles are super sweet/salty/thick anyway) Another option is to up the sodium in your Infinite. I have done this on one bag of mix and it worked out OK, so that is another option. Good luck with this!

Norton

Increasing sodium intake has been the final link of success for many endurance athletes; triathletes, ultramarathoners, ultracyclists alike.

Pump it up! I buy my Succeed caps by the case for a good reason. On a 1200k brevet I'll go through a 100 count bottle, at least.

penlynwilson

I've started usiing Nuuns in my water bottles in addition to my Infinit. Feeling a huge difference after finishing my workouts.

Jane Hargraft

Ann, thanks for posting this! I am also interested in salt intake. I screwed up my nutrition in the IMC run as you know and want to experiment with more sodium. Like you, i like to live off the course in the run. But I am going to switch to power gels from GU. 200 mg salt versus 20 I think. I just have to figure out the application of salt on the run. Perhaps I have to add Nuun tabs to my Gatorade for the bike and then wear a belt on the run with 4 bottles of Nuun charged Gatorade for the run (as much as I hate having extra stuff on me during the run. Mentally difficult cause I feel heavier and I think it looks dorky. 20 years of marathon running has turned me into a bit of a snob).

Jane Hargraft

 Penny - do you put the nuuns in the water that also has your infinit or do you have two separate bottles. I am looking for a combined solution. Thanks for your advice.