Coke v Gatorade During Ironman - Triathlon Week

09-28-2004, 01:40 PM

I just don't get it. I drank Gatorade during the Ironman (or just
about anything) and about 40 miles into the bike, I'm just sick of
drinking it. So what do I reach for? Coke. It tasted so good, and I
was happy to drink it the rest of the bike and run. I'm doing the
Ironman again, but trying to find something I will like as much as good
old Coke. The fizz didn't bug me at all. Why was I able to drink Coke
but put Gatorade on my lips and I would barf. Anyone had this issue???
Thanks

Stu

09-28-2004, 03:35 PM

In article <1096400434.534430.116060@h37g2000oda.googlegroups .com>,
"IronmanStu" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> I just don't get it. I drank Gatorade during the Ironman (or just
> about anything) and about 40 miles into the bike, I'm just sick of
> drinking it. So what do I reach for? Coke. It tasted so good, and I
> was happy to drink it the rest of the bike and run. I'm doing the
> Ironman again, but trying to find something I will like as much as good
> old Coke. The fizz didn't bug me at all. Why was I able to drink Coke
> but put Gatorade on my lips and I would barf. Anyone had this issue???

The story I heard is that once you switch to Coke during a race, you
shouldn't switch back to Gatorade, and once you switch to chicken broth
you shouldn't switch back to Coke. Supposedly "bad things" happen if you
do.

My tolerance for Gatorade is much higher than most people's, but I was
through with it by halfway through the Marathon in my race. I stayed on
coke the rest of the way. Oops, that's "Coke." I think gatorade has
better electrolytes, but if you're taking electrolyte capsules that
shouldn't matter so much.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

09-29-2004, 09:43 AM

The problem is that caffeine is a diuretic so you don't want to switch to
caffeine until about the last 1 hr or so of the race.
Taste can be a very weird thing at race pace. What you need to do is
experiment with your palate during training. For me it is Cytomax, but
everyone is different.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
David
Never give up, Be satisfied w/ your best, Do unto others.....

09-29-2004, 12:17 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]ojunk (David) wrote:

> The problem is that caffeine is a diuretic so you don't want to switch to
> caffeine until about the last 1 hr or so of the race.
> Taste can be a very weird thing at race pace. What you need to do is
> experiment with your palate during training. For me it is Cytomax, but
> everyone is different.

Huh? Most high-level endurance athletes are doing caffeine from the
start, since it's one of the only proven and legal ergonomic aids.

Also, exercise seems to mask the diuretic effects of caffeine, at least
according to every article I've read about caffeine and endurance sports.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

09-29-2004, 07:12 PM

I've been using caffeine gels and haven't had a problem, but too much
morning coffee always wants to come out as soon as I put on my wetsuit
(at least it warms up a cold swim)
Eric

10-01-2004, 04:04 AM

Caffeine is a diuretic, but only in high doses- do a Medline or SportDiscus
search for a meta-analysis by Larry Armstrong, PhD in the March or June 2002
INternational Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

Ben