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How do you fuel your swimming workouts?

dr_rios_ec's picture
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started by dr_rios_ec on September 3, 2008

Nutritions is a corner stone for every athlete to get best and the most out of any workout.
I have been wondering how you guys fuel up for your swimming workouts?
What do you guys consume before and during your workouts in the pool?

In my case if I eat like I do before a long run or ride, plus pre hydration and so on, I get bloated while swimming; but also a couple of times I have hit the wall while swimming for distance.

Is not like pulling out of your jersey a banana while riding or a gel out of your shorts while running. No camelback, quickdraw or something else. ;-)

I would love to get some ideas on fueling up your swimmming....

-Santiago
"Man!! Defeat is worse than dying, cause´you have to live with it" -My Dad
"It ain´t about how hard you can hit...it is how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward"-Rocky Balboa

KitKat's picture
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KitKat posted 1 year ago.

I eat pre swim...I can eat a lot and swim right after. Some of my friends sip on Hammer or Power products during the swim.

**Pain is weakness leaving the body**
*Smile, it does a body good*

jsk85's picture
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jsk85 posted 1 year ago.

I use only water since I way undertrain for my olympic swim leg...as I get into longer stuff...I'd have to go with some liquid (Infinit, Hammer, etc)...seems easiest. Not sure how to pull it off in OW though

xc800runner's picture
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xc800runner posted 1 year ago.

Powerbar/Cliff Bar/Whatever food you like 20 min before. Hammer out 6-8k with water every 1k or so. Eat. A lot. Not Phelps a lot, but probably a couple thousand calories, easy.

tri-ac's picture
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tri-ac posted 1 year ago.

i don't
i get up, go to the pool, and swim
my workouts are all an hour or shorter, tho

laprokop's picture
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laprokop posted 1 year ago.

I usually eat pre-workout and a lot...

I have never really had problems with stomach stuff or feeling too bloated for swimming like a do runs. If I eat before a workout I am usually good for 7k-8k yards easy. Just stay hydrated and you are good.

spomeroy's picture
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spomeroy posted 1 year ago.

+1 for KitKat. Usually longer swim workouts I fuel up an hour before and then take some Perpetuem with me to fuel up in between drills/swims etc.
Race day though I have a Hammer (espresso) gel 20minutes before hitting the water. I understand some people on say IM swims will bring a gel and stuff it in their wetsuit to have on the go.

cheers
S.

dr_rios_ec's picture
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dr_rios_ec posted 1 year ago.

Thanks guys for your posts.

I think I might try to stay with liquid or semiliquid stuff to fuel my workouts in the pool, particulary those that last over an hour.
I was really surprised and envious about Phelps eating so much food, and being so lean and all that, but since I am a slow person to digest food, I think maybe over a hour before my swim would be good timing to load up my tank.

So, for tomorrow....no bloating....longer swim...bring it on!

-Santiago
"Man!! Defeat is worse than dying, cause´you have to live with it" -My Dad
"It ain´t about how hard you can hit...it is how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward"-Rocky Balboa

robbie's picture
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robbie posted 1 year ago.

Fruit and plenty of it. I have done all the gels and gu and there comes a point where it just tastes wrong. I will only do them in a race.

Eat a combination of fruit about an hour on an empty stomach. This would be plenty energy from a good souce. Honey dew, apples, melon, pears are my favorite and they quickly top off the tank.

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cayman posted 1 year ago.

I like to keep it liquid for early swims, solids seem too heavy and tend to make me sluggish in the a.m.. I'll have an Ensure, a banana and gel on the way to the pool, then 20oz of IfiniT 1/2 measure on deck although I never really finish it during the swim. I like going in a little hungry relying on the previous day's stores. Solids seem not to bother me as much later in the day if I hit an after lunch or evening swim.

dr_rios_ec's picture
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dr_rios_ec posted 1 year ago.

I tried this weekend to top my tank with fruit....a nice combo of apples, grapes, some melon, some banana...and washed down with some gatorade...that I also sipped during my workout at the pool....it worked great, and felt pretty good...thanks Robbie!

Thanks Cayman for the Ensure tip...I think is a great solution...for a fast liquied source of fuel...

No more oatmeal with raising and banana before my swim!

Thanks guys!

-Santiago
"Man!! Defeat is worse than dying, cause´you have to live with it" -My Dad
"It ain´t about how hard you can hit...it is how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward"-Rocky Balboa