I know we have swimmers with impressive open water resumes...
I would like some feedback on calorie intake during long swims... seems to me taste of some of these gels, bars and drinks is critical, however the calories provided by some of these gel packs and bars ~ 100 calories tends to be on the low side.
what kind of caloric intake are swimmers attempting on their long swims?
...and good luck to chaos - we're cheering for you!
For the English Channel I used 230 kc (normal strength, in 750 ml, 26 oz) Maxim maltodextrin, every hour for the first 3 hours. Then moved to every 30 min feed until completion using normal concentration again but about only about 500 ml (18oz).
Couple of things to be aware of.
Above 10 or 11 hours this much sugar will often shut off the liver and kidneys. You may become unable to urinate. In which case you start vomiting. Not a big deal if you are expecting it and the conditions are ok. If conditions are rough it'll be worse since you'll be taking on sea water which makes vomiting more propulsive, and therefore more exhausting.
Looking back I would reduce the water volume, i.e increase the concentration.
The feed schedule came from testing, I did a few 6 hour swims on hourly feeds and I would crash around the 5th hour. It happened at different times for myself and my friends.
I'd also advice against a high-sodium carbo. And my double-channel solo friend recommends skipping 1 or 2 carb feeds every 3 or 4 hours, just taking an electrolyte or tea etc.
For the English Channel I used 230 kc (normal strength, in 750 ml, 26 oz) Maxim maltodextrin, every hour for the first 3 hours. Then moved to every 30 min feed until completion using normal concentration again but about only about 500 ml (18oz).
Couple of things to be aware of.
Above 10 or 11 hours this much sugar will often shut off the liver and kidneys. You may become unable to urinate. In which case you start vomiting. Not a big deal if you are expecting it and the conditions are ok. If conditions are rough it'll be worse since you'll be taking on sea water which makes vomiting more propulsive, and therefore more exhausting.
Looking back I would reduce the water volume, i.e increase the concentration.
The feed schedule came from testing, I did a few 6 hour swims on hourly feeds and I would crash around the 5th hour. It happened at different times for myself and my friends.
I'd also advice against a high-sodium carbo. And my double-channel solo friend recommends skipping 1 or 2 carb feeds every 3 or 4 hours, just taking an electrolyte or tea etc.
