Ultra Race Nutrition
You'll need a total of 300-400 calories per hour. What you eat is determined by what you can tolerate at longer distances and in all cases work that out during training and maintain that on race day. Up to 50Ks can usually be handled with liquids: electrolyte drink of your choice, ensure,gels, etc and whatever catches your fancy at the aide stations. Over 50K you'll need to add some solids: pb&j, fig newtons, food bars and pick thru the aid stations: pretzels, soups, salted potatoes whatever they have on the salty side to replace all of the sodium you're going to be losing--it's harder for your stomach to handle sweets later in ultras. Also carry and use your choice of electrolyte salt caps and of course water.
Everyone is an experiment of one so experiment during training to see what works best for you. Me, I like gummi bears
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
Well, I just finished a 50-miler, and used only Hammer bars, Lara bars, bananas, water and Endurolytes. I didn't feel hungry (well, maybe once, but took care of that immediately) and felt energetic. Had I gone 100 miles, I would have definitely needed more substantial calorie replacement. People eat all kinds of crazy things, like hot dogs, hamburgers, snack foods, Boost, soup, fruit, etc. You just have to experiment WHEN YOU TRAIN to see what your gut can tolerate.
Is the race the Wild West Relay in Colorado, by any chance???
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net
The race is the Blue Ridge Relay. It's 208 miles in the Blue Ridge Mtns from Virginia to Asheville, NC. All the segments are different in length. I think my total segment will be around 45 miles. I'll look into your suggestions Star. Cayman, your ideas were about the types of food I've been considering. Above all, will try them all with training. Thanks.




I'm running a Ultra Relay later this year and am trying to nail down my nutrition for the race. We're covering 208 miles and running 6 10k segments. We'll have some time to refuel between our runs so I'm looking for some suggestions on what to use. Hit me.