Race Day Boost ?



old&slow

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Jun 23, 2003
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I've only ever used the common sports drinks and I am interested in opinions on gels, powders or whatever that riders have found to provide a noticeable boost. I do mean legal, non side effect type stuff - any thoughts appreciated.
 
Most of these are useful towards the end of a 1.5 hour + race, to prevent glycogen depletion. They tend to prevent fatigue rather than boost perfromance. I have had some success with gels, but needed a while to practice with them. I found I needed to up the water intake a little.
 
i find that drinking a mix of 50% flat diet coke & 50% water keeps me going a bit longer on a big ride + it takes great
 
In races of 3hrs+, if I'm in contention for a good result I either have a 500ml bottle of flat Coke (if someone is there to hand it to me) or a handful of Jelly Babies (sugary sweets) in the final 30mins or so.
 
Originally posted by GuyStevens
In races of 3hrs+, if I'm in contention for a good result I either have a 500ml bottle of flat Coke (if someone is there to hand it to me) or a handful of Jelly Babies (sugary sweets) in the final 30mins or so.

Why not nibble on food or drink coke (but preferably an energy drink) for the duration of the event?

You would be far less likely to have troughs and peaks in performance; therefore you wouldn't need a 'boost' at the end of the race.
 
I have heard of a lot of people taking simple sugar foods such as jelly beans or a candy bar 3/4 through a big race for a quick boost in energy, but what benifit do candies such as these have over something like raisins which have a lot of "quick" sugars in them as well?
 
Thanks for those ideas. After a bit of discussion I'm trying some PowerBar Gel immediately before race start with Glucodine in straight water during racing - that's pure sugar energy - and normal sports drink after race. The Glucodine mix seems like the next best thing to rocket fuel. I've only tested it once and it seems effective in reducing that flat fatigue feeling I get after 40 or so hard km.
I know it's a complex argument, but anyone had any particular positive or negative experience with creatine or protein powder type muscle growth supplements ?
 
Originally posted by old&slow
I know it's a complex argument, but anyone had any particular positive or negative experience with creatine or protein powder type muscle growth supplements ?
Creatin wouldnt be any good for endurance racing.Would be better used in the gym and for track sprinting events.
 
Originally posted by old&slow
I've only ever used the common sports drinks and I am interested in opinions on gels, powders or whatever that riders have found to provide a noticeable boost. I do mean legal, non side effect type stuff - any thoughts appreciated.

Try giving the folks at Hammer nutrition a call. They are located in Whitefish, Montana and really know their stuff. They can be found on the web @ www.e-caps.com. I have had great results with their gel and endurolytes. good luck!
 
Originally posted by 1x1
Try giving the folks at Hammer nutrition a call. They are located in Whitefish, Montana and really know their stuff. They can be found on the web @ www.e-caps.com. I have had great results with their gel and endurolytes. good luck!

I'm concerned with some of their claims (e.g., ATP 100) as there is no evidence to support this. Some of their other science is incorrect too.

Ric
 
Originally posted by 2LAP
Why not nibble on food or drink coke (but preferably an energy drink) for the duration of the event?

You would be far less likely to have troughs and peaks in performance; therefore you wouldn't need a 'boost' at the end of the race.

This is in addition to my carbo drink and eating a cereal bar.
 
Originally posted by GuyStevens
This is in addition to my carbo drink and eating a cereal bar.

Do you find they give you a significant lift when taken in addition to the above?
 
Originally posted by 2LAP
Do you find they give you a significant lift when taken in addition to the above?

If I'm feeling very fatigue then they do make me more mentally alert and able to concentrate on last minute tactics. Whether they give me any extra kick in the legs is debateable!
 
Originally posted by GuyStevens
If I'm feeling very fatigue then they do make me more mentally alert and able to concentrate on last minute tactics. Whether they give me any extra kick in the legs is debateable!

Seems like your nutritional strategy is pretty sound!
 
I've used this product for some time. Huge long term energy (about 3-4 hours). I need you picky guys to tell me if anything here is illegal:

Charge Plus 2 Powder
Serving Size: 1 rounded tablespoon (16 grams)
Ingredient

Amount
per serving%DV
Calories
60
Total Carbohydrates
12 g
Sugars
12 g
Vitamin A
2500 IU
Vitamin B-1
1.5 mg
Vitamin B-2
3.4 mg
Niacin
80 mg
Pantothenic Acid
50 mg
Vitamin B-6
16 mg
Vitamin B-12
20 mcg
Vitamin C
300 mg
Vitamin E
60 IU
Folate
100 mcg
Copper
500 mcg
Zinc
3.75 mg
Chromium
25 mcg
Caffeine
80 mg
Glycine
200 mg
Taurine
200 mg
L-Phenylalanine
600 mg
L-Pyroglutamic Acid
250 mg
Garcinia cambogia
400 mg

Other ingredients: Fructose, artificial flavor grapeskin et, citric acid, sodium citrate, silicon dioxide.
 
I'm a big fan of Gu energy gel. The packets are small and easy to handle and seem to reach the bloodstream in 10 minutes or so.

One packet 20-30 min before you begin your ride and one packet every 30-45 minutes thereafter goes a long way toward staving off fatigue and bonk.

As for a pre-ride "boost"?? Coca Cola aka sugar and caffine.......though the diuretic effect can be undesireable.

Prometheus.
 
In ironman races where nutrition is the key to the race itself. I found many pro's drinking coca cola pretty much from the start.
They would mix it with water to a certain concentration.
If the concentration is to much it sits in your stomach and goes no where, you feel bloated, to much water and you end up peeing to much. Along with this many use products like GU.
Practice makes a champ.
 

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