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Click to view rovers4's profile Rookie 1 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Sep 27, 2006 7:48 PM

nutrition prior to half ironman???

going to compete in first half ironman Sunday!! any advice on pre race fueling!! i am thinking about big breakfast 3 hours before race,one gel before swim, gel after swim before bike,take four gels on bike one every 45 minutes and eating a cliff bar(4o grams carbs) hour before run. also during bike 24 to 32 oz's of water and endurance gatorade every hour(drinking every 15 minutes) far as run i am a little concerned due to knowing i will be very hungry at this time!! estimated swim to be 40 minutes and bike to be 3.5 hours run 2 hours!! i am going to eat gels at this time but can anyone tell me anything!! sure i know every one is different but the advice would be helpful!! i weigh 180 pounds!! thanks
Click to view Shawn2006's profile Amateur 35 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
1. Oct 8, 2006 7:51 AM in response to: rovers4
Re: nutrition prior to half ironman???
Looks good, however each person is different, so it's kind of a personal thing. I would recommend you try all eating senarios in training first. I completed 2 1/2's this year and the first one I barfed my guts out on the bike, tried to eat as soon as I got on my bike, so had a bad race. So for me I have to wait about 20min on the bike before eating anything. Second race I changed things abit, didn't get sick but was starving the entire race and couldn't get in enough food. So it's not always the same for each race. Just keep trying different ways that work for you, BUT DO IT IN TRAINING NOT IN A RACE.

Good Luck, how did the race go?
Click to view ROCKN_Robin's profile Rookie 2 posts since
Oct 16, 2007
2. Oct 16, 2007 2:14 PM in response to: rovers4
Re: nutrition prior to half ironman???
I have no advice but want your advice on gatorade endurance. I am running a marathon Sat that uses it and I can't find it in my area so I haven't really used it. Is it way different from the reg Gatorade on your system?
Click to view niemsco's profile Community Moderator 160 posts since
Sep 24, 2007
3. Oct 16, 2007 6:12 PM in response to: rovers4
Re: nutrition prior to half ironman???
Considering your post date looks like you raced already so I'd be curious to how it went.

I have a weak stomach so the only thing that raises suspicion to me is the gel you take after the swim. Usually its recommended you don't do anything but water for the about 20 minutes or so on the bike. The reason being is you've been horizontal for some time, and usually you need things to settle down before you consume calories. Also for my breakfast I try to finish by 3 hours before the race (due to weak stomach), so I start 3 1/2 to 4 hours to make sure I'm done by 3. Usually I throw some fat in there for some slow burning fuel, usually natural peanut butter. Overall around 600-1000 calories, depending if its a 1/2 or full.

Your liquid consumption sounds good. If you are concerned on the run its better to take a little more on the bike and get ahead of yourself. I can not take solids on the run, but I can down a clif bar on the bike like you. I will take gels or CarboPro on the run. I supplement with Thermolyte on the hour regardless of where I'm at in the race.

By the way, I'm 140lbs but I consume about 300-350 calories an hour on the bike and 200-250 on the run. Seems more than you so I'm not sure you are getting enough for your 180lbs. I'm wondering if you thought you needed more or not.