I posted a few months back about electrolytes and being chronically depleted bythe end of summer. I got several great recommendations. I ended up with generic electrolyte tabs found at: www.readykor.com/medicine/electrolytes. The tabs have 250mg of sodium, 15mg of potassium and 18 mg of calcium carbonate. Two tabs come to a pack. The final regiment that works best for me is to take a pack the night before I ride, one that morning and then one every hour. I drink only water and may use a cliff gel per hour as needed. Also I avoid caffiene(sp) the day I ride. This has really helped and I highly recommend it to anyone who has problems with dehydration.
Electrolytes
- Thread starter Boomer-61
- Start date
Good topic. I use succeed s caps on my runs, and occassionally on my bike rides.
www.succeedscaps.com
www.succeedscaps.com
i just drink water to stay hydrated.
that works for a while, at least until your system is diluted with so much water that most of the electrolytes have been flushed out so your body can't function properly. it's happened to me before and it is not fun, i'm just glad i was able to finish the race without any major issues.BIRDMAN111 said:
Hydrate well day before ride.
Drink gatorade before ride.
Drink water during ride.
Evervits and/or Hammer Endurolytes for harsh long epics.
Electrolytes are good.
Drink gatorade before ride.
Drink water during ride.
Evervits and/or Hammer Endurolytes for harsh long epics.
Electrolytes are good.
I guess everyone is different and I tried most of the things recommended but finally found what works best for me. It's cheap and easy. It may have to do with where I ride. Georgia is hot and humid. I sweat like a mad man. I can loose 4 pounds in a two to three hour ride and that's with constant hydration. Taking in the extra salts keeps my electrolytes in balance. The sports drinks or food can't keep up.
I don't know exactly why, but most sports drinks give me mad heartburn. It's pretty f'n uncomfortable.Skookum said:
I am generally well-hydrated (especially after having a bad experience with dehydration in my first 24 hour race) so I make sure to keep plenty of water on-hand pre-ride, during ride and post ride. During my longer rides I use Elite in my water and haven't had troubles since I started using it!
Reflux,
The heart burn comes from unbuffered salts ie. sodium and potassium. That's why the calcium carbonate helps.
The heart burn comes from unbuffered salts ie. sodium and potassium. That's why the calcium carbonate helps.
I just don't drink enough to stay up on my electrolytes, so I have to get them elsewhere. Have you thought about changing your diet at all?
I've gotten so I eat chili about once a week. Chili (especially the jarred kind) is often loaded with sodium. I've heard that chips and pretzels also work well. I also work a banana into my protein shakes once or twice a week.
Is 2 servings of chili and 2 bananas over the course of week enough? no, but it's enough, and when added to the stuff I eat/drink anyways, I feel much better over the duration of a summer. It's made a world of difference for me. And I've ridden far more this summer than I ever have before.
I've gotten so I eat chili about once a week. Chili (especially the jarred kind) is often loaded with sodium. I've heard that chips and pretzels also work well. I also work a banana into my protein shakes once or twice a week.
Is 2 servings of chili and 2 bananas over the course of week enough? no, but it's enough, and when added to the stuff I eat/drink anyways, I feel much better over the duration of a summer. It's made a world of difference for me. And I've ridden far more this summer than I ever have before.
electrolites shmecktrolites. haha real men dont need water.
Thanks! I did not know that.Boomer-61 said:
never made the connection with your RM handle.....
i suppose Pedialyte would work, it's all about your body functioning properly. Every advantage helps and when you're dialed physically in terms of hydration/nutricion etc. that's a big part of the battle when pushing your body to ride on.
There are alot of sports drinks out there that will suffice as well. i still have a big tub of the Hammer Heed, but it tastes so foul, i've been trying to pawn it off on any takers...
Skookum makes a good point. If you get your body running up to speed it frees up your mind to focus on the task at hand, the race, the obsticle the whatever. Bottom line: keep your fluids and electrolytes in balance the most economical and efficient way possible. That way you can keep the focus where it needs to be, going further faster!
L
luelling
Guest
I'm not nearly as knowledgeable or dedicated as most of the folks in here, but I love the stuff. I know a few runners who also swear by it.
A friend of mine drinks vitamin water after a night of partying and the morning after. She swears by it. I don't know anything about their electro stuff.
Imo, with regards to sports drinks, a lot of it is personal. What works for me and you, might not work for everyone else. If you try it out, please be sure to report back and let us know what you think.