Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Runners Need Electrolytes

Many electrolytic drinks now on the market aim to restore lost sodium and potassium in particular, in addition to supplying energy. It is recommended that you drink 100-200ml every 20 minutes of a long race. Some races will automatically supply electrolyte drinks, but it is a good idea to test out a drink you like on shorter races and training, and then bring it to the longer races.

If you don't like any of the electrolyte drinks, you can perhaps test out your own combination with fruit juice and/or sugar mixed with water to keep a 4-8% carbohydrate content, mixed with a high-potassium salt such as LoSalt. Electrolyte replacers such as Dioralyte mixed with water can also be a substitute. One marathon, the Self-Transcendence Marathon in New York, handed out cell salts and dulse seaweed to runners. Dulse seaweed contains the salt balance most easily digested by the human body: just chew it for a couple of minutes and wash it down with some water. Cell salts as the name suggests also contains the mineral balance found in the cells; however again it is best to test during training before using the race as they disagree with some stomachs.

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