It's Electro(lytes)!- Electrolyte Drink Info

Got in a nice 1:20 on the trainer tonight. 10 minute warm up, followed by basically going just under a "ballz out" effort for 1:10. Held some good high cadence, burned up a junk load of calories and worked the aerobic system good. I did cramp up again at about the 1:05 mark. I think I really need to start mixing a higher strength of Heed. (I'll touch more on all this in the rest of the post further below).

In other news, I picked up some "new to me" Lake winter shoes today. Yep, I bought USED shoes. Got them for a killer low price from Bikeman.com/Salsa racer Andrew Freye . Hey, who cares if a bunch of Andrew's toe funk is in them? The funk will only add to the warmth that I'll now have for my tootzies during cold rides. Plus, maybe they'll add some of that Pro mojo to my legs. I mean it's not like a bought a used chamois! Thanks for the deal Andrew!

Now on to the main post...

I've been intrigued with the new variety of Electrolyte tabs/powders that have become more available over the past year or two. The virtually tasteless electrolyte liquid Elete has been around for a while now, and recently Nuun, Zym, and CamelBak Elixir dissolving tabs have become available. Then of course readily available for "Joe Middle Ring" at your local grocer is Propel Fitness Water (made by GatorAde) which is also now available in single serving pouches.

I recently picked up pack of the Propel Powder just to add some taste to re-hydrating. It's not bad, but I was (sorta still am) doubtful that I would use it for anything other than some time on the trainer and added taste to my water when re-hydrating. But it did make me want to see how some of these tabs and powders stack up against each other.

I'm drawn to these products since during races I prefer to get most of my hydration/electrolyte intake from my hydration pack, and carbs/calories from bottles during races. I like that many of these could be added to the hydration pack without worrying so much about "sticky bladder stank".

Pardon any typeos that there may be. Lots of acids, cholrides and "what not" floating around in this stuff. Got a little bug eyed. The information provided is more of a reference than a comparison. I'm not championing any of them right now, because all I've had is Propel and Endurolyte (capsules).

On PAPER Nuun and Zym look like ones I'd like to try the most, with CamelBak's Elixir coming in 3rd. Hope to get some samples of these soon, or hit up one of my LBSs to see if they have 'em. I do know that Bikeman.com carries all of them (except Propel) which means that any QBP shop can get them if you want to try them. As I try them, I will post some thoughts. If you've used any, feel free to post your thoughts, and experiences with them.

I feel you can never have too much variety in your nutritional arsenal for Solos, etc., I used to swear by JUST Hammer Products. But now I like mix things up. It keeps my mind and tummy happy. You never know at what point in a race your belly is gonna say "ONE MORE DROP OF HEED AND I'M PUKING ALL OVER YOUR TOP TUBE DUDE!!" Plus if your drink tastes like shit, you won't drink it as much. If you don't drink it, you won't get any of it's benefits, no matter HOW good it supposedly is for you.

This is another good thing about the off season and base miles. It's a good time to experiment with new stuff. You do NOT want to try anything new on race day. Need I remind you of last year's Jelly Belly Sports Beans vs. Perpetuem showdown at the Leesburg Bakers Doz. race??? Vomit meets top tube, with a twist of stomach muscles cramping. Sweet Jesus did that hurt.

Anyway, here's the info...

Propel Fitness Powder*
1 pack makes 20 oz.
$3.49/10 Packs
www.propelfitnesswater.com

20 calories
00 g fat
60 mg sodium
60 g Carbs
04 g Sugars
00 g Protein
(vitamins were not indicated in Milligrams but rather percentages)
10% DV of Vitamin C
25% DV of Niacin
25% DV of Vitamin B6
4% DV of Vitamin B12
25% DV or Pantothenic Acid
*Powder vs. Bottled Propel Ingredients may vary.
These are based on Propel Powder


CamelBak Elixir
1 Tablet makes 24oz
$9.95/12 Servings
www.camelbak.com

10 Calories
0 Fat
1g Carbs
86 mg Vitamin C
36 mg Calcium
18 mg Magnesium
1.4 mg Manganese
68 mg Chloride
410 mg Sodium
70 mg Potassium


Nuun Active Hydration
1 Tablet Makes a 16 oz.
3 Pack/$19.95/72 Servings
www.nuun.com

20 Calories
00 g Fat
360.0 Sodium (carbonates)
100.0 Potassium (bicarbonate)
12.5 Calcium (carbonate)
25 mg Magnesium (sulfate)
37.5 mg Vitamin C
500 mcg Vitamin B2


Zym (Endurance) Electrolyte Tabs
1 Tablet Makes 1 16 to 20 oz serving
3 Pack/$26.49/30 Servings
www.gozym.com

07 Calories
00 g Fat
00 g Carbs
01 g Sugar
250 mg Sodium
50 mg Potassium
30 mg Calcium
50 mg Magnesium
100 mg Vitamin C
05 mg Vitamin B5
08 mg Vitamin B6
40 mcg Vitamin B12

Elete
1/2 Tsp. Makes 1 32 oz. Serving.
24.6 ml bottle/$5.00/10 32 oz. Servings.
eletewater.com

00 Calories
00 Fat
00 Carbs
00 Sugar
125 mg Sodium
130 mg Potassium
20 mg Sulfate
45 Mg Magnesium
390 mg Chloride

Endurlytes by Hammer Nutrition
.25 Tsp. = 1 Endurlyte Capsule
$18.95/150 .25 Tsp. Servings.
www.hammernutrition.com

00 Calories
00 Fat
00 Carbs
00 Sugar
40 mg Sodium
60 mg Chloride
50 mg Calcium
25 mg Magnesium
25 mg Potassium
6.7 mg Vitamin B6
1.6 mg Manganese
17 mg L-Tyrosine
50 mg Glycine


Well that's all I had the energy to look up at work today. I'll try not to be a big race weenie tomorrow.

Later.