The major difference between under and over 6 hours is the amount of solid foods you can consume. Generally with the pace being slower, body digestive functions will be under less stress which can allow more blood flow to the stomach to aid digestion.
Our preferred fuel source is a combination of Liquid and solids. I would restrict solid food intake to every 3-4 hours (avoid on an hourly basis)
Liquids are more easily digestible. Solids will take longer to digest and will take blood away from the working muscles to digest.
- By taking liquids you can be almost 100% certain of how many calories you are consuming per hour.
- Taking solids you can never be sure on how many calories are being digested per hour.
- Hammer Perpetuem is ideal for this purpose (See website for Mixing Instructions)
- Remember Flavour Fatigue can be a problem. Practice will determine if you can tolerate 1 fuel type or require a mixture.
- Our preference is to use a base fuel (Perpetuem) for 50-60% of the time and break this up with other supplements or small snacks.
- Small snacks must be no more than 300-350 calories
- Consumption of too many solids can make you feel lethargic and slow you down.
- Ensure you consume, easily digested foods, low in fats, simple sugars.
Benefits of Perpetuem
Perpetuem contains all 3 nutrients (Complex Carbohydrates, Soy Protein and Lipids)
- It is scientifically designed for Endurance exercise lasting longer than 3 hours and up to 2-3 days.
- Perpetuem gives you very stable energy levels over a long period of time without the highs and lows.
- This is exactly what your body needs over this duration. It does not give you the spikes in energy given by simple sugars.
- Perpetuem contains complex carbohydrates, Soy protein and Lipids (type of fat).
- The complex carbohydrates give the consistent stable energy supply
- The soy will help your body stop breaking down its own muscle tissue.
- The Lipids will help release your own fats stores. Fat will be a major contributor to energy demands. The longer you go the more important fat becomes as a fuel source.
- Perpetuem can be mixed into a Multiple Hour Bottle. For example a 3-4 hour bottle can be mixed for between drink stations.
- Perpetuem is a complete source of Energy (No other nutrients are required apart from Hydration/ Electrolytes)
For exact details on Perpetuem
Electrolytes
In our opinion the use of added electrolytes is mandatory. Electrolytes are not stored in the body. So you need to replace them on a consistent basis every hour. Treat these as an insurance policy against cramping. You have trained too hard and too long to suffer from unnecessary cramping. Our preferred choice of electrolytes is Endurolytes (1-3 per hour)
Other good sources of Electrolytes can be found in Hammer FIZZ
OTHER HAMMER PRODUCTS TO USE
All Hammer products can be used together. It’s a great idea to use some of these other Hammer products to use to break up the monotony of using one product.
Hammer Bars (230Calories) – a great easy to digest alternative, to break up the consumption of Perpeutem
Hammer gels (100calories) – Easy to consume Energy Gel.
H.E.E.D (High Energy Electrolyte Drink – 100 calories scoop) – a mild tasting Energy drink (only uses Complex Carbohydrates) with a good cross section of Electrolytes.
Suggested plan for 6 + hour run.
- Always consume 590-800 ml water per hour.
- Always consume 1-3 Endurolytes per hour.
- 1 – 3 hours – 1 x 3 Hour bottle Perpetuem (4-6 scoops)
- 4th Hour – small snack – below 300 calories
- 6-8th Hour – 2 hour Bottle Perpetuem
- 9th Hour – small snack – below 300 calories
- Final Stretch – 1-2 gels with added caffeine.
When you have FINISHED
Always remember, if you have put your body through this much pain and suffering show it a little bit affection and give some form of recovery product within the 30 minutes since finishing. It will respond better a whole heap better and may even let you do it all again.