General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Salt Tablets Rss Feed  
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2016-06-21 6:30 PM


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Subject: Salt Tablets
Any opinions taking salt tablets before or during sprint and/or Olympic distance triathlons?


2016-06-21 8:18 PM
in reply to: NcTriDad

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets
They're not needed for races that short. Most people don't even need them in long course races.
2016-06-22 7:16 AM
in reply to: NcTriDad

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets
I sweat a lot and have low BP, but even I don't use salt tablets in a race that short. In longer races, I take about one an hour, depending on the heat.
2016-06-22 10:17 PM
in reply to: NcTriDad

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets
Going to have to respectfully disagree with lack of salt use. We see it happen in marathons which are ~roughly a similar time in the case of Hyponatremia. Not sure why people think it is magically not a problem in a triathlon. triathlons can often be much hotter than the typical marathon. Now do we need to go nuts, no, but a little bit of salt goes along way. Personally, I am using Base this year, I started using it last year, but I have used various products throughout my entire career.
2016-06-22 10:17 PM
in reply to: NcTriDad

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets
Going to have to respectfully disagree with lack of salt use. We see it happen in marathons which are ~roughly a similar time in the case of Hyponatremia. Not sure why people think it is magically not a problem in a triathlon. triathlons can often be much hotter than the typical marathon. Now do we need to go nuts, no, but a little bit of salt goes along way. Personally, I am using Base this year, I started using it last year, but I have used various products throughout my entire career.
2016-06-23 8:16 AM
in reply to: ThomasGerlach ProTri

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets

Originally posted by ThomasGerlach ProTri Going to have to respectfully disagree with lack of salt use. We see it happen in marathons which are ~roughly a similar time in the case of Hyponatremia. Not sure why people think it is magically not a problem in a triathlon. triathlons can often be much hotter than the typical marathon. Now do we need to go nuts, no, but a little bit of salt goes along way. Personally, I am using Base this year, I started using it last year, but I have used various products throughout my entire career.

The problem with hyponatremia in marathons (or other exercise) comes from drinking excess fluids.  And usually occurs in slower runners.  It would be hard to achieve that in in oly (although BOP athletes, in particular, should be aware of the risk) since the duration is shorter for the vast majority and you physically can't drink for the first ~20-40min of exercise.  Salt tabs are completely unnecessary.



2016-06-23 9:52 AM
in reply to: JohnnyKay

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets
I do most of my training and racing in extreme heat/humidity, up to and including half-ironman, and have never used salt tabs, salt sticks, etc. There are plenty of ways to balance electrolyte and fluid intake besides salt tabs, such as using sports drinks with sodium (Nuun has a relatively high concentration of it and is what I generally use), taking in food with salt on the bike, and/or using gu with electrolytes on the run. The one time I have had (relatively mild) hyponatremia symtoms in a race was almost certainly due to drinking more water than I normally would (to keep cool, as the aid stations kept running out of ice), rather than insufficient sodium intake per se. (I had done the race the previous year without such issues, when I could suck on ice for cooling rather than keep swallowing extra water. ) Of course people's sodium needs vary, but it seems like given the shorter length of an Oly and all the other options for taking in sodium and other electrolytes, salt tabs really wouldn't be necessary for that distance. As for sprints, I have done them with temps in the high 90's and high humidity smack dab on the equator, with nothing but sports drink, many times, I don't think I have seen the athletes in Singapore and else where in SE Asia use salt tabs or sticks for that distance.
2016-06-23 9:59 AM
in reply to: JohnnyKay

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets
salt is only one electrolyte, and is not absorbed if you are deficient in potassium(another electrolyte). You are better off using a sport drink or gel that already has mix of the proper nutrients.
2016-06-23 11:37 AM
in reply to: ThomasGerlach ProTri

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Subject: RE: Salt Tablets

Originally posted by ThomasGerlach ProTri Going to have to respectfully disagree with lack of salt use. We see it happen in marathons which are ~roughly a similar time in the case of Hyponatremia. Not sure why people think it is magically not a problem in a triathlon. triathlons can often be much hotter than the typical marathon. Now do we need to go nuts, no, but a little bit of salt goes along way. Personally, I am using Base this year, I started using it last year, but I have used various products throughout my entire career.

I said salt tablets aren't needed by most in long course triathlon.  I didn't say no one needed them, and I didn't say electrolytes weren't needed.  Most people get enough when they consume their fuel.  Some people have issues that can be alleviated with supplemental electrolyte tablets, but it should be pretty far down on the list of things they try to correct issues like hyponatremia or cramping.

 

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