With Summer approaching it’s time to rethink those hydration and
nutrition strategies as with the increase in heat and humidity the risk of a
poor races or training sessions is greater. I am going to overview my thoughts
on a Hammer Nutrition product that I use as a part of my training and racing.
And yes, I am a Hammer Nutrition sponsored runner.
Endurolytes Fizz is a product that I use regularly in my training
and racing, especially in the hotter summer months or when I race in unfamiliar
weather conditions. I find the Fizz is faster acting than the Endurolytes
Capsules and during sessions longer than an hour I will often take some water
with a Fizz added. The aim is to remain hydrated while balancing my electrolyte
levels, using simply water does not allow this and the risk of hydration
related complications rises.
Each tablet contains a full spectrum of electrolytes that you lose
during exercise thus ensuring not only are you hydrating correctly (and avoiding
dehydration) but also allowing your electrolyte balance to remain normal. This
maximizes the uptake of energy from the stomach (osmosis) and can assist with
prevention or management of cramps, therefore improved performance.
I generally use Fizz as my main fluid source in events/sessions up
to 3 hours and in addition to this will consume Fizz on heavy training days in
my water. I will make sure that I have some available to ensure when consuming
any energy (like a gel) my body is capable of utilizing those kilojoules while
being under stress. As your body is diverting blood away from the stomach and
to the muscles it is key to making sure it is efficient at breaking down the
small amount of energy it needs while running. I feel Fizz assists with this
process and I try to practice this in my training to not have any issues in my
racing.
Normally I will go with either Grape or Lemon-Lime flavor and I have
used the Grapefruit and Mango flavours as well. I will normally use one tablet
to 300ml of water and often vary my flavours depending on my energy sources. In
races like Sydney Trail Series I will rely on 350ml Fizz and a Gel for the 90 –
100min race at Manly and find the additional humidity (I’m from Bathurst!!!)
doesn’t affect me as much if I’m hydrating properly.
