Using eLoad Heat Formula + other products

[GinnySellars]

Hey Athletes
That was pretty fun getting a truck full of eLoad product to share with you! Let's talk about how to use it to meet our training and racing needs. The BEST thing about eLoad products, in my opinion, is the ability to change the formula to meet the demands of the event, or change midstream.

So we have:
eLoad - Electrolyte drink + some carbohydrate
FLY - %100 carbohydrate
Zone Caps - % Electrolytes

eLoad energy gel - carbohydrates + electrolytes

eDISKS - eLoad powder in a tablet form - super yum!

EMEND - mix of carbohydrate, protein, electrolytes, antioxydants

So lots of products, but simple to use. Here are some examples of how I use them:

1. 3 hour easy outdoor ride
- my goal is to get 150-200 kcal/hour
- I'm not a heavy sweater
- I don't tend to cramp
I use 1 scoop of eLoad (about 50 kcal, and light electrolytes), and 1.5 scoop of FLY (120kcal)

Sometimes I take EMEND instead of the eLoad/FLY. I like the taste, and figure the protein can be easily absorbed if I'm not working too hard.

2. Racing a 1/2 Iron (5hrs+ on bike)
- my goal is to get 250 kcal/hr
- higher concentration of electrolytes
- I don't like sweet taste on race day

I use 3 scoops of FLY, and 4 Zone Caps in each bottle. The bottle is completely tasteless. I then take a gel every 30-45min.

I leave a flask of eDISKS on my transition towel, and throw them in my back pocket. That way I can take just water at the aid stations, but keep getting electrolytes. I also take gels in my pocket and have a 1/2 gel every 20min on the run.

I know other people have made MEGA bottles to race with, where they stack up the kcals with FLY, then take water at aid stations to dilute. They mark levels on the bottle so that they don't have to take other energy from aid stations. I've tried this a few times, but don't personally really like it. I'm don't like to have to think too much when I race. This means I end up taking more gels in the latter part of the ride, because I don't carry enough kcals in the bottles. FLY is awesome for this since it's tasteless. You just have to make sure you put the water in the bottle first so it mixes in well.

I look forward to hearing how you guys are using the eLoad products.

[StephenU]

Ginny,

I am excited to get started using ELoad products.  I do have one question so far, but this is withouth any experimentation.
I have been using a product with a combination of maltodextrin and dextrose, and with success.  When i have access to proper amounts of this product during racing and training I have not had any problems.  I cannot determine if the eFly has a combination of the two or just maltodextrin. (looks like only maltodextrin)  Can you comment?

Here is my understanding of what I have been using the past couple of years.
Dextrose is a slightly faster burning molecule and is broken down quicker by the body for optimal absorption.  Maltodextrin tends to be slower burning and therefore more conducive for long distance endurance events.  Maltodextrin has a much lower osmolality than glucose and fructose and therefore can be mixed in much higher concentrations.  (mega Bottle, although I never use a mega bottle)
So for most of the events and training I do, the combination drink seems to make sense.  For a fast, short effort like a Crit or a Time trial, I would think that the dextrose only fuel would be better suited.

I cannot determine if eFly has any Dextrose in it or is a maltodextin only carb source. The ingredients only mention maltodextrin.  I see the eLoad is made with Dextrose, so should I determine i want to continue with a combo, would I mix the two?

Stephen

[GinnySellars]

Hey Stephen
There is a great discussion of carbohydrates here:
http://www.medioncorp.com/the-science-of-e-load--p136131

There is some discussion about 'slow vs. fast burn carbs', and their choice of easily digestible carbs.

Looks like FLY is maltodextrin only, and eLoad has dextrose also.

You may want to mix these in your MEGA bottle. You can add more calories with the FLY without adding sweetness. You'll have to be very cautious to have enough water, or the carbs won't be absorbed, and you'll simply get 'sloshy' and bloaty. Not good.

When you are doing your shorter races, I think Eload, in the regular formula would be good. It has the right % of sugars to be properly absorbed, with the mix of dextrose and maltodextrin.

So, I didn't really share anything new with you, but have another read of the info at the link above. It does a better job of explaining this stuff.

Ginny

[Matt]

This was my first weekend of training using the eLoad products.  I used the eLoad Heat Endurance drink mix, which has high concentrations of sodium and potassium. 

In the last year I have been trying to find the right blend of products to help me avoid cramping (I have had severe cramping problems!).  This weekend I did two long rides where I would normally cramp.  Not only did I completely avoid cramping, my legs didn't even feel close to cramping!  In fact, during both rides (with the help of the Quail) I tried to induce cramping by changing intensity, and cadence.  Basically the Quail tried to shatter me!  I had 3 servings of Endurance per hour. 

Between a slight change to my training program, and getting my nutrition dialled in, I have seen some great improvements. 

During our ride, one of the other riders had some cramping issues.  I had a stack of eDiscs handy, and after a few of those, she was able to minimize the effects of the cramp and had no problems for the rest of the ride. 

So far eLoad Heat Endurance has been exactly what I needed to get my nutrition right.  I'm looking forward to testing out the other eLoad products to see how they fit into my nutritional plan

[GinnySellars]

Woop woop!! I hope this is the last you'll be sidelined with cramping. It's been your #1 limiter. As the temperature rises out there, you'll likely need to ramp up the electrolytes with Zone Caps too. Did you get those to try?

[MartinC]

After picking up a sample from Chris this week, I was able to get in a couple of moderate work outs using the heat endurance formula on the weekend. Felt great all the way through and love the fact the taste is so subtle!
For what it is worth I am a big fan of the e-discs having used them in my adventure race last year. Over 36 hours I had no issues with cramping and was glad I was able to control my electrolyte balance without worrying about my fluid intake as well.
I am looking forward to trying out the other products, especially the recovery formula in Joshua Tree!

[kiwichris]

Great to hear you have all been having success with the e-Load products - they are amazing.

Just to keep in the back of you mind - as temperature and intensity increases with the Spring and starting to race - you will need to modify your nutritional plan accordingly. More calories? More electrolytes? More water?

Just some questions to try out some different plans within training. The Thurs night BPR session is a great place to try out a new plan - it gets hot enough to sweat lots - the workout is hard enough to get some glimpse of whether you can ingest your nutrition!!

Chris

[Quinn Middleton]

During the past week I have been using the heat endurance mix, e-mend recovery formula, and gels . Last weekend I went for a run and decided I would try the heat formula as well as a gel. I was extremely pleased with the taste of both products and I found the gel was really easy to swallow. After the run I was pretty tired and thought I would take awhile too recover so I tried the recovery formula and to my surprise I was ready to swim hard the next day. A major thank you to E-Load for a wonderful sponsorship and I look forward to using the products during race season! 

[Matt]

Over the past weekend I had the opportunity to use the eLoad Heat Recovery drink.  I had 150 calories mixed into one bottle ready to go as soon as I got off the bike after both my races.  It worked well for me because I was able to hydrate and get some good carbohydrate, protein and electrolytes in one drink.
My recovery was good this weekend, and I'm sure getting the proper nutrition into me as soon as possible was a big factor.
This recovery drink will definitely get a lot of use from me this year!

M