elecrolyte replacement (Read 745 times)

I have problems with leg cramps on long runs as soon as the temp goes above 65 degrees and am looking for ways to replace my electrolytes to help prevent this. Some time ago, I remember reading on the CoolRunning web site about electrolyte strips that dissolve on the tongue, similar to the Listerine breath strips. Has anyone ever heard of these or have any experience with them? Note: aside from continuing to stretch and front-load electrolytes before such runs, I've also tried different kinds of energy gels (made me nauseous), energy beans (tasty, but so much chewing messed with my breathing), and drinks, but to no avail. Thanks

The dissolving strips have very very few electrolytes in them. Most people use electrolyte capsules.

I'm not one of those two, but I've used Succeed S! Caps in my long runs and marathons for the last year. They were recommended to me by an ultra runner friend (jlynnbob) and they work great for me. For stuff under say 2 hours, I don't use them - but for anything longer I will take one per hour with water. I've also found that I don't need them at all when it's cool/cold out.

But isn't it also a matter of what the water leaving the body takes with it? Anyway, I'm not sure I could comfortably drink much more on my long runs, so, while I'm sure the cramping is due to a combination of things, I think the electrolytes lost is the culprit for me. Does anyone else have experience with the Succeed S-caps that Bonkin mentioned?

Started drinking Glaceau " Smart Water" which is just plain ol' water with electrolyte's added. specifically calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium bicarbonate. Not sure if it is any better than gatorade, but I personally find gatorade a little too salty/sugary tasting and end up diliuting it, so this seemed like a better option (?)

Fixed

LMAO!!! HUB agrees with you of course...... MEN.

I love the name, "Smart Water", since paying good money for fake colored, fake flavored, minimally electrolyte enriched tap water is not particularly smart. People. Eat salt. Nachos. Soy sauce. Whatever. And potassium in bananas and other fruits and veggies. Eat salt and move on. Don't get taken in by all these commercial products trying to convince you that buying them is smart.

I love the name, "Smart Water", since paying good money for fake colored, fake flavored, minimally electrolyte enriched tap water is not particularly smart. People. Eat salt. Nachos. Soy sauce. Whatever. And potassium in bananas and other fruits and veggies. Eat salt and move on. Don't get taken in by all these commercial products trying to convince you that buying them is smart.

Trent, Please put that into proper Trent form: Eat Salt. Not too much. Mostly Nachos. xo