ELECTROLYTES (CRAMPING DEMYSTIFIED)

Q Any suggestions on how to stop cramping?? I am marathon training right now and am very fit, but I just cannot seem to stop cramps during my long runs.
A Cramping is your bodys final warning signal that you are 'on empty' electrolyte-wise. However, your performance is deteriorating and you are slowing down long before you feel the slightest twinge of a cramp. To keep your bodys muscular, digestive, nervous, and cardiac systems firing on all cylinders you need a consistent supply of all electrolytic minerals, not just sodium and potassium. Plus, in many instances, you require greater volumes of electrolytes than any sports drink or gel can provide. That is why Endurolytes fulfills such a crucial component of your fueling by supplying your body with a perfectly balanced, full-spectrum, rapidly assimilated electrolyte source, allowing you to meet your widely variable electrolyte needs with tremendous precision, hour after hour.
Q Does e-Fuel (e-Fuel Electrolyte Energy Drink) contain enough electrolytes to prevent cramping?
A Yes, Crank Sports' e-Fuel is a conveniently packaged concentrated syrup that makes a tasty & ideal electrolyte replacement drink when mixed (as recommended) with water. e-Fuel contains complex carbohydrates for sustained energy supplemented with electrolytes, antioxidants and amino acids, all with the unparalleled convenience of a liquid concentrate. Now you can quickly and easily mix a high performance hydration drink in your sports bottle or backpack hydration system. e-Fuel comes in three flavors, each very tasty: Mountain Rush e-Fuel, Citrus Slam e-Fuel, and my favorite Tropical Blast e-Fuel.
Q I'm an old-school marathon and now ultra runner and I've been using salt tablets to replace sodium/salt lost through sweat during workouts and competitions. Is this the same as taking Endurolytes?
A No. Salt tablets provide only one electrolyte lost through sweat -- sodium. Endurolytes provide a balance of sodium, potassium and magnesium, ALL of which are lost through sweat and respiration during exercise. It is important to replenish all of these to maintain optimal performance.
Q Will endurolytes keep me from cramping in hot weather conditions and during long events such as an adventure race?
A Yes, Endurolytes provide superior cramp prevention as they help maintain muscle performance even in the hottest weather conditions. Endurolytes contain potassium, sodium and magnesium which are electrolytes. Using a balanced blend of these electrolytes, as found in Endurolytes, will aid in maintaining hydration and replacing vital nutrients to help curb cramps. This is especially true when your exercise exceeds 2 hours in duration.

GELS

Q Can I flavor my water with Hammer Gel?
A Yes, Hammer Gel mixes very easily right in your water bottle and can replace any powdered energy drink mix. Mix 1-3 servings in a 20-24 ounce water bottle and consume as needed while you exercise.
Q I hear a lot about the importance of the post workout meal. Is taking a gel post workout enough?
A It is a very wise idea to supplement wiTh 50-100 grams of carbohydrates and 15-30 grams of protein within 30-60 minutes of finishing a workout or race. Depending on your exercise session, we recommend more than just gel. We would recommend Hammer Recoverite, although I sometimes make my own using 2-3 servings of Hammer Gel with 1 scoop Hammer Whey OR 2/3 scoop of Hammer Soy. This will give you 48-92 grams of carbs & 18-21 grams of protein in an economical & great tasting post workout beverage (I prefer raspberry gel for this, but use your favorite).
Q I just discovered a new gel flavor! Mix Banana Gel with Chocolate for a yummy "Banana Split" taste.
A We experiment too... some of our recommendations are to mix gel flavors in your flask for a little 'treat':
Banana + Espresso = Banana Frappaccino
Orange + Vanilla = Orange Creamsicle
Raspberry + Espresso = Raspberry Mocha
Also, you can mix Plain Gel with any other flavor to make it more mild for endurance events/long term use.
Q Do any of your gels contain caffeine?
A Yes, Hammer Espresso flavor gel has 50 mg of caffeine per serving. The other gels do not contain caffeine.
Q I usually use gel pouches on my training runs and during competition but want to start using the small flask. Seems more economical and easier to carry on long runs than several gel pouches. What do you recommend?
A The single serving Crank or Hammer gels are quick & easy for short training runs, 5k, 10k, or any exercise under 2 hours in duration. You are correct, however, in your assertion that filling your flasks with gel will be more economical. You can get the Hammer Gel Jugs which contain 26 servings of gel, and fill your flask. Each flask will give you 5-6 servings equaling about 500-600 calories. Take your flask on your long runs/marathon & consume 1-2 servings per hour while you exercise along with 12-28 ounces of water.
Q My training partner only uses Crank e-gels. Is there really any difference in gels?
A Crank Sports' e-Gel is unique in that it contains nearly 4 times the electrolyte levels of other leading energy gels. e-Gel's Electrolyte Energy formulation is designed to provide complete and balanced electrolyte replacement in addition to sustained energy and hydration. It also contains 150 carbohydrate calories, that's about 50% more energy than most energy gels.

RACE/WORKOUT NUTRITION

Q My boyfriend is an Ultra Runner who eats cheeseburgers during his 50 & 100 mile races... What's the best argument I can make to persuade him to use Sustained Energy instead?
A Fueling the body properly is extrememly important in ultra running as well as in all endurance sports! We need proper nutrition - carbs, fat and protein - at the right time and in the proper amount. While there is a long scientific, well-proven argument you can make regarding that cheeseburger versus Sustained Energy, it can be most simply explained as follows: SE is formulated to easily provide athletes with the proper ratio of carbs, protein, and fat. SE is easily absorbed by the body (much easier than that cheeseburger) and will allow the body to be easily and rapidly nourished without imparing working muscles performance.
Q I am riding in a 100 mile bike ride in September. I will be riding for about 7 to 8 hours. There will be a lot of climbing. What is the best Hammer product for me to get?
A From your information, I suggest first and foremost, the Hammer Endurolytes product for electrolyte replacement. Depending on your nutrition plan, you may also want to consider the nutrition product containing easily utilized fat, carbs, and protein, Sustained Energy.

With your duration on the bike, and with all the climbing you expect, definitely you will want sound electrolyte replacement and nutrition. Personally, I use both the Endurolytes and Sustained Energy for long duration events (used up to 17+ hrs) and have been very pleased with both products.

NOTE: Ideally you would like to train with both the Endurolytes and the Sustained Energy to perfect your dosing amount, 'feeding' schedule, etc.

Endurolytes provides:
" Superior support for the prevention of cramping, spasms, and other heat related issues
" Enhanced endurance from effective, complete, balanced electrolyte replenishment
" Efficient absorption of nutrients eliminates upset stomach
" Varying quantity/portion provides effective electrolyte replacement for all body types under all conditions

Sustained Energy:
" Easy to digest, with no stomach distress common with other sugar-filled sports drinks
" Steady, predictable energy from precise ratio of carbohydrate to protein
" Enhanced fat utilization from accessory nutrients
" Increased lactic acid buffering
" Neutral taste, no sickly-sugary energy drink taste Convenient, versatile powder

One last bit of information... I also use and find benefit in using gels during long events. I like the flavors and it is a quick and easy way to take in a few more calories and carbs.

Best wishes to you on your race!
Q With respect to the protein in Hammer Whey or Soy, how far in advance of consuming the whey or soy powders can they be mixed? I've been preparing my breakfasts (oatmeal or shakes) and adding the proteins the night before. Does the protein break down, or am I still getting the full benefits after so many hours?
A If you use the Hammer Soy protein and are able to keep it refrigerated it should have minimal, if any, deterioration if consumed within 14-16 hours, perhaps even longer. The issue with premixing Hammer Whey is
with the glutamine component. Glutamine, as extremely beneficial as it is,
will, at some point in time, partially degrade. We recommend that glutamine-enhanced products such as Hammer Whey or Recoverite be consumed not-too-long after mixing for best results.
Q I recently learned that not all fructose is created equal... there is processed fructose, as in many prepackaged gels and bars, and conversely, unprocessed fructose like in Hammer Gel. Can you explain the difference?
A You are correct - not all fructose is created equal. Fructose is a commonly used sweetner and it is simply fruit sugar. When this fruit sugar or fructose is in its natural state, is completely different than processed fructose.

An expert in nutrition, Dr. Bill Misner, Ph.D., C.S.M.T. writes, "Natural plant fructose is not associated with either blood glucose or blood lipid disorders as those generated by synthetic fructose. In fact, nutritionists encourage fruit and vegetable intake for increasing fiber, micronutrients, and antioxidants in the diet. The intake of natural fructose from calorie-sparse whole plants is actually low, and as an unaltered natural sugar, it is not associated with untoward metabolic consequences following consumption of large amounts of processed
fructose."

Hammer gels contain un-processed fructose, a better choice for endurance athletes.
Q I just started my training 5 weeks ago and since I'm new to tri's/endurance sports, I would like to ask if anyone's using Hammer Nutrition Products and what you think about their products...
A I like the Hammer stuff....the gels for short workouts and races & Sustained Energy or Perpetuem for longer efforts. I also use their Tissue Rejuvenator for my glucosamine/chondrotin. Like anything else, try them out early & often to see if you feel good using them and if you should use more/less/alter your dosing.
Q Is it OK to mix Sustained Energy and HammerGel?
A Yes, all the Hammer fuels can be mixed to give you the flavor you want/like. In addition to mixing SE with HGel, another favorite is unflavored Perpetuem with just a little mandarin HEED for flavor. Mmmmm...

UNDERSTANDING E-CAPS

Q What are Anti-Fatigue Caps & how can they help me in endurance sports?
A Hammer's Anti-Fatigue Caps will help endurance athletes by:
* Reducing muscle aches and fatigue
* Increase glycogen availability
* Extend endurance
* Help prevent cramps
Although Anti-Fatigue Caps were designed primarily for ammonia reduction in long distance events, Hammer Nutrition says many of the nutrients in the formula are excellent for helping counteract everyday fatigue, even chronic fatigue symptoms.
Q I am an Adventure Racer/endurance athlete and have noticed the sorness in my knees becoming greater with every race/workout, as time goes on. Will Tissue Rejuvenator help reduce the pain and soreness?
A Tissue Rejuvenator helps decrease pain, inflammation, and swelling. Endurance athletes vigorously stress their muscles, joints, and connective tissues, often straying across the border of maximum training and visiting the inhospitable territory called overuse injury. You want a formula that will lessen the severity of overuse injuries by reducing inflammation, promoting repair processes, and reducing soreness and pain. TISSUE REJUVENATOR can help reduce downtime and subsequent drop in fitness, without undesirable side effects common to pharmaceuticals such as NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen). The TISSUE REJUVENATOR formula contains the necessary nutrients you need to help prevent injuries and promote healing when they do happen.
Q I've seen similar instructions for Hammer E-Caps 'Liquid Endurance' as given for their 'Race Day Boost'; could you explain the differences?
A The guys at Hammer say this:
The difference between Liquid Endurance (LE) and Race Day Boost (RDB) is that LE is designed to help keep the body core temperature cooler in hot weather thereby allowing you greater heat tolerance. Also, you can add a little bit to a water bottle if you go to a higher elevation as the body looses more fluid more rapidly at higher elevation.
RDB is designed to increase lactate threshold thereby allowing the individual to ride/race at a more intense sustained effort.