Stroke, Stroke, Eat

Triathletes preparing for long course races will spend months, sometimes years, dialing in their perfect nutrition plan for race day. Fueling the body to race for multiple hours is a tricky aspect of multisport.

Gels,chews, drinks, bars, bites and beans are easily accessible during the bike and run legs of a race,but athletes will go without any nutrition for more than an hour in the water.

Here’s a tip from world-class openwater swimmers: Tuck gels into your suit (or wetsuit) and eat them during the swim.

Make sure you can easily reach the package,quickly pull it out as you roll onto your back, tear it open and squeeze it into your mouth.

During swim practice, experiment with storing gel packets in your race attire.
Look for a tri suit with pockets or find a comfortable and secure place inside the elastic leg bands.

For wetsuit swims,consider the top of your forearms.

Remember these important 3 points:
1) Continue to kick while you are eating on your back.
2) Don’t discard your garbage on the course (tuck the wrapper back in).
3) Slightly tear the packaging before the race so it can be easily opened with wet hands.

source: Triathlete_Magazine_Dec2010