Nutrition info from a 28th time rider

RE: [LT100Bike] eating real food?

Nate- I've tried both systems. Real food and then E-Caps products. I'm
very new to the sport of cycling but have some experience with ultrarunning.
When I first started ultrarunning I was having lots of stomach problems. I
was trying to eat gel products, energy drinks and real food. In my first
five 50 mile runs I threw up in every event more than once. I heard about
the E-Caps products and decided to give them a try.

I switched to a sustained energy, hammer gel, water and enduralytes before
the Western States 100 mile run. For the first time ever in an ultra run I
didn't throw up. I had energy for the entire run and finished well.

Here is what I've noticed. My body can take 300-400 calories per hour. The
harder the effort the less I can digest. When you work hard the blood is in
the muscles and can't help the stomach with digestion. The hotter the
weather the less I can digest. If the food is solid "real" I can only
digest around 200 calories. I can take in more calories if eaten in small
amounts every 5-10 minutes. Rather than chug a whole sustained energy mixed
with hammer gel, I take a swallow every 10 minutes followed by some water
from my pack. Spreading the calories out over time allows the stomach to
process more food.

The few times when I have eaten solid food in endurance events, I notice
that if I chew the food very, very well it makes a big difference. It also
makes a big difference for me If I eat little bit all day rather than a
whole PBJ at once.

If you get to the point where your stomach is upset, you don't have any
energy and your race is suffering it's best to throw up if you have the
urge. Don't fight it. You will feel better immediately. Slow your pace
for a little bit, take in some Hammer Gel or Sprite and you will feel
better.

These are my experiences from running. I haven't had any stomach problems
on a bike yet. I did the Brian Head 50 mile event in 4:24 and will be at
Leadville for my first attempt at a 100. Should be fun.