By Bruce Howard
Cover photo courtesy of Bruce Howard
The wealth of nutrition and hydration information for endurance athletes is perhaps a blessing and a curse. There are a lot of choices from a 2025 global market of nearly $72 billion. What should you eat and drink during your first long run, bike ride or swim? The short answer is, “whatever works for you.” Ultra athletes I spoke with emphasized trying out food and drink during training.
Ultra-runner Chris Moan notes that “finding the right fuel at the right time can make or break a race.” He favors Clif Bloks, Honey Stinger Waffles, and GU gels early in a race, and water with Tailwind mix later. Brian Vandenburg uses only gels and Succeed S-Caps (in water) for 50-mile or shorter runs. “Big” runs, like a 100-miler, require adding “real food.” He notes that everyone’s different—he favors turkey sandwiches among other snacks.
Cyclist Rick Matthews relies on liquid nutrition for a ride like the 167-mile RATPOD, though he will nibble on Clif bars as well. After trying many varieties, he settled on Infinit Nutrition’s custom mixes (personalized to one’s questionnaire responses).
Ultra swimming creates unique challenges, given that rules prohibit touching any person or boat. Marathon swimmer Susanne Blair has relied mostly on Maxim sports powder, alternating with GU, on swims including the English Channel crossing. She also went old school with a small treat of cookie dough on one swim.
Try some of these out—and don’t forget the options of flat Coke and Snickers!
