Epic Enduro

Greg created a step-by-step plan in the weeks leading up to the race, and made further adjustments on the day to meet the extra fueling requirements of the higher race intensity than he expected. During this epic, old-school enduro race, logistics and fuel timing are as big a consideration as the quantity and type of carbohydrates. Greg began each of the three 38km / 24mile loops with a banana, then had 30g of carb in the form of either PF 30 Chews, a PF 30 Caffeine Gel or a PF 30 Gel during the climb to each stage. Clearly, this worked to keep his energy levels up and effectively fueled his high intensity timed stints each lap.

Similarly to fueling, hydrating over an enduro race involves overcoming several logistical challenges. Greg had to carry all of his fluid each lap, as there were very few feed stations on course. He knew staying hydrated between stages was essential to maintain his performance over almost 15 hours of elapsed time. To manage this, he drank a 1.5L pack of PH 1500 and a 750ml bottle of PF Carb Only Drink Mix each lap. A Sweat Test would help Greg refine his sodium intake in the future, but without knowing his sweat sodium concentration, he implemented a proactive strategy and avoided any cramping. Greg felt he could have drank more water, but given the logistical challenges and added weight of more fluid he balanced his needs adequately, and peed twice during the race which supports this theory.

Greg consumed a PF 30 Caffeine Gel each loop to give an extra boost to his perceived energy levels. During the final loop he added an additional Caffeine Gel to ‘stay sharp’ as he felt his ‘brain was fading after 12 hours of racing’. This pushed him just above the general caffeine intake guidelines but given the long duration and nature of this race, plus Greg’s generally high tolerance for caffeine, it was appropriately timed to maximise the stimulant’s ergogenic effects.