Swivel Bottle or Aid Stations? How about both?!

This past weekend I participated in the Ironman 70.3 North Carolina in Wilmington, NC alongside 2700 other endurance athletes. It was an amazing experience. One of the biggest reasons this event was so satisfying was because I executed my nutrition game plan to perfection. Nutrition is often referred to as the 4th discipline in triathlon, and for good reason. As race distances get longer, the likelihood of making a mistake with respect to nutrition/hydration is far greater.

So let’s focus on my running nutrition game plan, because I think it’s something to consider for those who want to feel less dependent on aid stations. I’m not in favor of blowing by all aid stations. After all, they have so many options available that often times provide you with exactly what you need in the moment. Whether it’s ice, cola, sports drink, water, a banana, or a gel, the amazing volunteers at aid stations are there to hand you whatever your heart desires. But, lets face it, aid stations can be crowded and chaotic and breaking your rhythm by slowing down isn’t always a desirable choice either.

I ran the 13.1 mile distance with my trusty Swivel Bottle. Flask 1 had a big scoop of Tailwind Nutrition in it, offering me 50 grams of carbs. Flask 2 was loaded up with ice cold water. These 2 options alone may have been enough to get me to the finish line, but I decided to take advantage of the aid stations also. The plan: sip on water and Tailwind between aid stations then use the aid stations to get small hits of cola along the way. The added bit of sugar and caffeine that cola provides does wonders for me.

Overall, the plan worked beautifully. All of the metrics in terms of heart rate and pace were consistent and my energy levels never waned. My mental focus was on point and my spirits were consistently high throughout the half marathon. In other words, my body and brain were getting what they needed!

The point here is that Swivel Bottle offers you options and freedom during big races. For some Swivel Bottle can serve as a complete replacement of aid stations, while for others it serves as a trusty source for the most important nutrition you can take while still utilizing aid stations to supplement your intake needs.

Think about it. What would work best for you? If you’re interested in discussing how you can best use your Swivel Bottle during your next big race, send me a DM on Instagram and I’d love to help you out.

Keep going! Always keep going!

-Thys

photo credit: The Nordica Photography