This is Only a Test

I debated for a brief second whether or not to label this with “healthy eating,” then looked at what I was planning on eating and thought, naahh, not yet. We’ll see how it goes, first.

Here’s the scam: I’ve got four additives to drinking just straight water that I’m going to be testing as I prepare for my 3-hour MTB race in May. They’re all street-legal, and cover a fairly broad spectrum.

First: LifeWater by Sobe. I’ve used this before in a 50/50 mixture with water, with a decent amount of success. I personally feel like straight LifeWater is too sweet when I’m really pushing my limits, so I watered it down and liked it.

Second: Nuun Energy tablets. I got the variety pack so I can try a couple flavors. This was recommended to me by a friend when I wanted something that dissolved completely in water, so I could add it to a CamelBak (Hammer Heed powders, for instance, do not completely dissolve, and you need to shake the container before taking a swig – something that’s nigh impossible to do with a CamelBak. Yes, I tried, and yes I felt like an idiot. Or a wet dog.)

Third: Hammer Gels. I originally wanted PowerGel, because I’d used those about a decade ago and they were tremendous; but the shop didn’t have PowerGel and a few other places I looked didn’t have them either. So: Hammer time.

Fourth: Clif Bar Shot Bloks. I’ve also used these before, but never in a race situation. I’m betting they’re not worth the effort to try to ingest while riding – but I’m a fair man, I’ll give them a try. If they work better than anything else, it might be worth it.

So that’s the line-up: water with every option, and I’m considering testing out different pre-ride-day dinners, as well – mostly between a solid plate of pasta, or a hearty helping of bean soup. I did a bean soup and baked potato dinner regimen a couple years back when I was on a trainer for seven days straight, anywhere from 12 to 40 miles at a go – and it worked out really, really well. Super-good source of potassium and protein and carbs. So we might give that a try too: one ride on pasta and a supplement; one ride on beans and the same supplement. See what works out best.

Now I just have to figure out how to fit eight long rides into my schedule in five weeks. There’s a good chance that won’t be possible.

But this is the bear life: you make do with what God gives you and trust the results to Him.

Now this kinda fits in the Christian tag. Darnit.

Ride hard and be awesome!