Consistently impressed

For a Triathlete that has struggled with nutrition, especially electrolytes during training and racing from the beginning; I always have an open ear for any suggestions and recommendations that have worked for others in the past. That is why I am sharing my continuous and consistent success with ALL the First Endurance products. Just this past weekend I went for a 3.5 hour ride and a run at race pace off the bike. I was concerned about my nutrition; I was trying something new; that alone is nerve racking. I am a heavy sweater, which means I am in need of a high amount of electrolytes to sustain my energy during my long trainings. I have been gradually tapering off my salt tablets since I started using the first endurance products. This past weekend was the first time I have trained 4+ hours continuously without needing to take additional salt/electrolyte tabs...I was thrilled with how I felt during the entire ride and run; great energy and not one symptom of low electrolytes, low calorie, or dehydration. This brick was a good test too; it consisted of several hill repeats on the bike and race pace effort run off the bike...I felt GREAT!!! My nutrition for this workout consisted of 5oz EFS shot and 2 servings of EFS drink; totaling (600 calories). Now the temps were cooler (low 60's), but it is a great start. I just need to be aware as the temps get back to normal for Florida; especially during summer time.

Not only has first endurance introduced me to a world class product, they have also introduced me to the gluten free diet. I have been gluten free with the occasional slip up (cheating) since World Championships 70.3 last Nov. I had a terrible GI experience on the last 3 miles of the run; which cost me two positions in the race. Since that disaster, I decided to try Gluten-free. To my surprise, I noticed a huge difference immediately (within 2 days); I no longer felt bloated on a daily basis. During training I wasn't having to stop to use the bathroom either. I just thought that bathroom stops were apart of the whole endurance training. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was wrong; there are ways to avoid those unwanted stops.

Currently, I am getting through my long trainings without bathroom stops or emergencies. Now, what is really shocking to me is the mere fact that I can tell when I eat something that contains gluten by just the way I feel later that day. Over the holidays I was being very strict with my diet. There were a couple of days were I was feeling bloated and uncomfortable and I couldn't figure out why. Low and behold, I come to fine out that I was eating something that contained gluten that I was unaware of. As soon as I eliminated it from my diet, I started feeling better immediately...it just goes to show, the more knowledge one can gain about themselves and their bodies, the better they are off; whether they are endurance athletes or not.

Thanks again first endurance for making such great products and introducing me to gluten-free. It has made my training and triathlon career so much more pleasant. I can't wait for the race season to begin to really put the products to the test.

Mandy