OK, so I've learned that I can down a couple of cheeseburgers and a couple of beers and go out and swim 4K no problem -- even feels good. But I'm trying to find the "sensible" solution for either a 10K or longer swim or the shorter 3K-5K days on extremely hot days.
Last year I swam a 3K in 90+ weather after driving two hours in my non-A/C Jeep to get to the race. Thinking I should hydrate, I made sure I had plenty of gatorade before starting the swim. I felt nauseous and my legs turned to rubber 1K in. On the cooler 3K-5K races, I do nothing but drink some water before and have always done fine as long as I have the beer waiting at the end. But by the end of 5K I always feel like I need something more if I want to go any longer than that.
In prepping for eventually entering a 10K, I began to experiment with gels. I've tried two. 10 minutes after eating gu or PowerGel, I got light-headed and legs turned to rubber. I researched previous threads and saw that some folk just drink water for anything less than 8 miles or so. Anyone think differently? Any alternatives?
I'm not sure I want to stuff cheeseburgers and beer in my suit. . . but they might work for the 10K postal.
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Former Member
2 hours is my limit without feeding. i took a couple of hammer gels along for the ride at chesapeake this year but didn't use them.
if a swim is going to be over 2 hours, i start on a perpetuem w/endurolytes after the first 30 minutes.... i know some people that like to feed every 15 minutes; i want to give it a try, but it is important to have a good feeder on the team to make the pit stops quick.
2 hours is my limit without feeding. i took a couple of hammer gels along for the ride at chesapeake this year but didn't use them.
if a swim is going to be over 2 hours, i start on a perpetuem w/endurolytes after the first 30 minutes.... i know some people that like to feed every 15 minutes; i want to give it a try, but it is important to have a good feeder on the team to make the pit stops quick.
