Why Infinit over other products and who didn't use Infinit?

I haven't used it yet (though I have some samples & a gift certificate so I'll be giving it a try this year).

Typically I train and race with Gatorade Endurance (since it's on the course most of the time) and carry my own gels in some flasks.  I don't use any pre-packaged recovery drinks.

For me, it just really works with my body.  I used accelerade for a while.  I sort of had to just tolerate the taste (gets a little nasty when warm), AND the bigger issue, once in a while, the protein would give me some GI issues.

Not so with infinit.  Plus it tastes fine even when sitting in a bottle or camelback for a couple hours (to me).

I will also use Gatorade Endurance on the bike with no issues....

BTW,

I talked to a senior guy at Gatorade the other day (father of a BTer, actually).  Anyway, he said that Gatorade Tiger has MORE electrolites than GE.  And more flavors.  You could actually be better off using that.  However, it's not what they hand out at races...

I like Infinit but still need solids especially while out on the bike.  For races I live off the course.  I just find the KISS method to be the best.  I haven't and probably won't be using it for any races unless that's what is given out at aid stations.

 I find Infinit to be nasty once it's warmed up, not sure how I could keep nice and cold during an IM after a few hours in my camelbak I can't stand it, but that goes for all my drinks.

Infinit just tastes WAY better than most other products to me.

I used Hammer for a long time and while I LIKE their products I had to FORCE myself to drink them because they just didn't taste good.

In something like an IM you want to be able to get your nutrition in without forcing it.

For me, I like the taste of Infinit so much that it's easy to drink.  So, it works.

I DO supplement with shot bloks because I would get bored of JUST Infinit.

If you like Accelerade and Powerbar Gels, more power to you.  Nutrition is very individual.

It has less sodium & potassium than GE.  Also has 1/2 the calories.  Mostly due to the latter, it wouldn't be my choice.

I'm going to make my own for bike and run and it is about 1/10th the price of buying bars, gels or infinit or maybe less.

You need water, carbs and sodium...add in some flavoring and good to go.

My coach has a formula based on weight but easy to make and similar concept to Infinit...flavoring to your own taste, calories, sodium all adjustable to what works for me.

There were two folks that got sick on the bike at IMFL and were using Infinit..not saying it was that but coincidence.

Thanks, 'Kido, 'bout G Tiger.

To answer the first question, because it gives me all the calories and sodium I need in one or two bottles.  One bottle for HIM, two for IM.  Couldn't be simpler.

I may or may not add something just to get a different flavor or something solid, but my bike mix has a little protein in it which keeps me from getting hungry

I went 2.5 years without using it.  I trained off clif bars, cytomax, gels, e-caps and shot bloks.  I just found it to be a pain in the arse to calculate roughly 300 calories per hour from those.  I felt like I was packing for a long vacation when I had a 5 hour ride.  And then I had to remember to eat every 20 minutes. I did my first IM on this plan.  It worked but it was much more complicated than it needed to be. 

For ME, I wanted to simplify things for my next IM.  I want to switch to a more liquid diet on the bike despite my stomach being able to process solid food.  It took a couple of months to nail my nutrition with Infinit because I wasn't a believer.  I also took a few opportunities to talk to Michael and his staff at Infinit about what I personally needed (more sodium).  

Now, nutrition is a no brainer.  For a five hour ride, I make 5 bottles.  It makes my life a whole lot simplier.  And I can just fill up my aero bottle and drink when needed.  It works for ME so I stick with it. 

Depends on my ride.  But in general, 2 scoops of powder in 20 oz bottle and fill it with water prior to my ride.  For me that is 290 calories per bottle. 

I can carry 4 bottles on the bike.  For rides longer than 4 hours (or 4 bottles) my options are to make a double concentrated bottle or put the powder in a baggie and in my jersey.  I personally chose to put the powder in a baggie and make sure my route has a water stop along the way so that I can dilute the mix.  Either way I will have to stop for water.  I find that the power dilutes quickly enough and I stay ahead of the game so as to not dilute the powder and need to drink from it immediately. 

Some people will make a double or triple concentrated bottle, take a swig and chase it with water.  For ME, that doesn't work.  If I use the bottle an hour approach I can track my nutritional intake and needs very precisely.  

Again, it is a personal choice.  I was very apprehensive about the switch and it took some time to nail it down (no more than a normal nutrition plan).  I suggest ordering a bag and seeing how it works for you.  You might not like it and thats fine.  Or you might find that it simplifies things for you.  Everyone has a different reaction. 

Just for people reading this, it is possible to monitor calorie intake with a concentrated bottle as well.  If I have a two hour bottle, I just use 1/2 per hour.  Three hour bottle, 1/3 per hour.  Can even mark the bottle if you need some reference.  Neither way (1 hour vs. 2 hour) is right or wrong, just whatever you prefer.

And to Michael's point about not training with a concentrate but racing with it, make sure you actually do train with a concentrate at some point if you plan to race with a concentrate.  Not everyone's gut can handle the concentrate, it's a lot of calories at once.  For me, I had to figure out the system that worked - i.e., how much I can concentrate, how much to sip, when to sip, how much water to follow it with.  I train and race with concentrate.

My first three hour bottle didn't go over so well.   If that would have been in a race it would not have been pretty

No vomiting, Rottie...

For racing, I did a single 3 hour concentrated bottle, got fresh, cold water from the aid stations to fill my aero bottle ~2/3, then topped off with the concentrated mix.  Perfect for a HIM, then for the IM, I had a second 3 hour bottle at special needs.  And while it sounds like a bit of acrobatics, it's actually pretty easy and I could mostly do it in the aero position and be done in about 15 seconds.

For the IM run, I had concentrated run mix in a fuel belt, and would dump a bit into the cups of water at each aid station.  Again, nice cold drink the whole time. 

I don't mind the taste when it's a little warm, but it was nice for race day to have cold beverages the entire time. 

I never knew that people actually tried to keep their drinks cold until recently.  Odd if you ask me.

But that aside.  I actually like the taste of warm Infinit.  Hour 3+ of a bike ride Infinit tastes better and I want it more than at hour 1.