Fueling For Success...Plus a GIVEAWAY!!!

Tweet

We have all seen all the variety of nutritional supplements in running stores, expos, magazines, online, etc. There are gels, energy bars, sports drinks, etc and all of them promise they can help you run faster and longer and stronger.
 

When we are talking fueling in racing or training, know that as a general rule of thumb, if you jog for 30 minutes, you only need to drink water. If you are running any longer than an hour, you need carbohydrates. This is because your body's blood glucose and glycogen (muscle carbohydrate stores) become depleted in as little as 60 minutes. Studies have shown that the quick-digesting carbs in energy products boost blood glucose and help spare muscle glycogen during a long run. Basically you get an energy jolt that helps you keep running. But with so many options, what should you consume? That is the magic question...basically it is by trial and error. Try different things and figure out what works for you.

How much should you consume? Here is an example of steps you should take to figure out how many calories you should be consuming when racing!

Step 1: Trent's calorie burn each mile:
0.63 x 195 lbs = 122.8 calories/mile

Step 2: Trent's goal marathon pace:
Trent's goal marathon pace is a 3:45 which is 8:35 per mile. This means he'll be running 7.00 miles per hour.

Step 3: Trent's hourly expenditure based on his goal marathon pace:
7.00 miles per hour x 122.8 calories per mile = 859.6 calories burned per hour

Step 4: Goal calorie replacement during of racing:
0.3 x 859.6 calories = 257.8 calories/hour

Step 5: Trent's calorie replacement:
The first 30-45 minutes of the marathon, Trent would have fueled before hand. So he needs to plan on having enough nutrition for 3 hours. He needs to carry with him 3 x 257.8 which will be 773.4. We will round out and be safe and have him carry 800 calories to fuel during the race.

Many people have asked what we use to fuel. In training we will use jelly beans or honey stinger chomps occasionally, but for the most part we have switched to a liquid carbohydrate called CarboPro. CarboPro is 100% pure complex carbs that has a neutral flavor. It dissolves quickly in any fluid. One scoop of CarboPro is 100 calories. You simply add as many calories as you need to your bottle and off you go. It is the perfect source of calories for us. It is easy to carry, so easy to digest and just simplifies our nutrition needs during a race.

In addition to CarboPro, we use another one of their products during racing which is MetaSalt.  MetaSalt is the only Sodium supplement which provides Sodium as Sodium Chloride, Trisodium Phosphate and Sodium R-Lipoate, which work together to maintain the optimal metabolism of sodium to prevent dehydration and volume depletion. It also provides other electrolytes which combined provide increased Hydration, Energy and Efficiency during exercise. During a marathon we take about 2/hour. We also take 2 right before and then 2 right after to help our body regulate and maintain normal electrolyte levels!

We also have added their other products to our daily and pre-race regimen. The Recovery is your essential Amino Acids that help muscles recover faster, reduces muscle soreness, increases stamina and power and so much more! The Vo2 Max Endurance is one you take 30 mins before exercise for increased endurance, strength and power...it is awesome sauce!! And then the Motivator! It does just that...motivates, and gives energy! We also use InterPhase, which is similar to Recovery and just provides Amino Acids for muscle recovery and is a good source of protein for post workout!!

One more thing to add with fueling during a race...always drink water. Just because we have a liquid carbohydrate, we still take a cup of water through every aid station at least through 2/3 of the race. Towards the end...whatever you need to get you through. But especially in a marathon, do not pass up the first few aid stations of water because you feel good...your body will need that hydration in the next hour so start early and feel great the whole way through!!!

Now for the fun...a GIVEAWAY!!! Enter below to score our favorite products from CarboPro and give them a try for yourself!!! Contest will end Friday, October 3rd at Midnight! Good Luck!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway