Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Frank mentioned that some might be interested in how I elyted Bear during our 100 at Bluebonnet.  
First, here were the conditions.  It started out very comfortable in the morning...nice and cool (not chilly though).  It started warming up pretty quickly, though, and reached I'd guess close to 90.  Humidity was lower than we were used to down farther south in Texas, but it wasn't "dry" heat by any means like out west.  Bear (and I) were sweating pretty good right from the beginning, because even though it was coolish, the humidity was quite high in the morning.  It was sunny and clear all day.

I used Enduramax powder mixed with applesauce.  For purposes of this discussion, a "dose" is one scoop, using the scoop in the container...this is one ounce.  I tend to mix up larger batches and put them in containers that hold multiple doses.  I've measured to see how much to suck up into a 60cc syringe to equal one dose, 1/2 dose, etc.

I've played around with various elyte protocols with Bear since I got him, starting with minimal, to see what he worked best with.  He drinks about the same regardless of how many elytes he gets.  With very little elyte supplementation, however, he tends to get kinda sluggish partway through a ride, and tends toward being a little tight in the rear.  

We arrived at camp Thursday afternoon.  No elytes Thursday.  I gave him one dose Friday afternoon (early evening, actually).  Sat. morning, after he'd eaten a big tub of sloppy beet pulp/Strategy/Ultium slurry, I gave him one dose, about 30 minutes before starting the ride.

First loop was 25 miles, we did it in 4 hours.  He drank once on the loop, and ate grass several times.  I gave him 1/2 dose after he drank (at about 18 miles).  He guzzled water when we came into camp.  One hour hold, he ate some beet pulp and drank some more.  One dose before we went out.

Second loop, 15 miles, about 3 hours.  Ate lots of grass, drank very well several times.  Gave 1/2 dose about halfway through loop after one of the water stops.  Sweating heavily.  

Drank a lot when we arrived in camp.  30 minute hold.  Ate some beet pulp and hay, drank some more.  Gave 1 dose before heading back out.

Third loop, 10 miles.  Drank well a couple times, ate lots of grass.  Did not dose on this loop.  Drank well when we came back in.  30 min. hold.  Munched beet pulp and hay.  Gave 1 dose before heading back out.  

Fourth loop, 15 miles.  Continuing to drink deeply, and eat lots of grass.  Gave 1 dose at 9 miles.  Had at least 5 water stops where he drank very well on this loop.  Starting to cool off just a little, but he's still sweating a lot (me too).  Also drank well when we arrived back at camp.  One hour hold.  Ate more beet pulp, hay, drank.  Gave 1 dose before going back out.

Fifth loop, 10 miles.  Still drinking well, mowing grass like a John Deere.  Gave approx 1/2 dose at 4 1/2 miles when met crew.  He's sweating less now, neck just slightly damp, as it's dark and finally cooling off.  Again drank well upon arrival in camp.  30 min hold.  Ate well in camp.  1 dose before going back out.

Sixth loop, 15 miles.  Drinking well, mowing grass.  1/2 dose at 9 miles.  Cooler now, neck mostly dry.  Good breeze.  Inhaled beet pulp at crew stop at 9 miles.  Back to camp, 30 min. hold, ate very well.  One dose before going back out.

Last loop, 10 miles.  Drinking well, attacking grass.  No elytes this loop.  Did loop in 2 hours.  Moving well, feels very strong and forward.  Back in camp, vetted through, back to trailer, and ate/drank well.

I gave a total of 10 oz. of elytes during the ride, if I added right, (plus 1 oz. the night before).  In hindsight, I probably under-elyted him, since the first two days he was home he was chewing large chunks off the salt block and eating them, and gobbling loose salt like a maniac.  He was sweating heavily during the day, and that is the time that he likely got into a deficit.  Doing it over, I would maybe slightly increase the amount I gave him early in the ride, backing off later in the ride.  However, he did well in terms of his vet scores and CRI (except that first CRI when he was being a total snot for the vet).  I don't want to pour elytes into him willy nilly with the idea that if a little is good, more is better.  But since he obviously got into a deficit, perhaps a slight increase during the period when he was losing more might be in order?

Dawn