The Fluid Test.......

Just over two months into using the Fluid - Recovery Nutrition and here are my experiences so far.

The good thing is the blend of carbohydrates, protein, and glutamine (2500mg), which is a major difference to most other recovery products. In total each serving provides 25 g of carbohydrates in the form of maltodextrine and fruit sugar (fructose), 7 grams of protein from whey protein isolate, 250 mg of potassium at 1% and 166% of the RDA for vitamin C. For those that don't know L-glutamine is thought to be an important amino acid for increasing protein synthesis (rebuilding muscle), improving immune function, and increasing carbohydrate uptake by the muscles to replenish glycogen post workouts.

Granted I haven't been in the full force of training yet but I have been swimming hard and the hours are gradually moving up. The main things I have found are:

1) I seem to be recovering better than I was previously after really hard sessions using Fluid. Definitely less sore in the shoulders after swim sessions and long run sessions. Primarily it has decreased the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).

2)The Berry flavor is by far the best and it is best taken with as colder water as you can possibly get.....I generally use cold tap water at the gym or iced water at home. It seems to mix better and taste better with colder liquid.

3)Fluid is relatively low in calories at 130 per serving and so doesn't give you that heavy feel that some other products give you. This is critical in the 30 minute window after working out as your body can only really handle less than 200 calories.

4) The product is all natural, gluten-free, no artificial colours or flavors...all good stuff!

I haven't been a huge user of recovery nutrition in the past with the exception of some protein bars and occasionally protein powders, so I don't really have much to compare with but I am sold on Fluid. It really helps in being able to perform the workouts day-in/day-out and as the hours and workouts become more intense then recovery becomes a key ingredient.

Word is that more flavors are in the works and potentially a caffeine based flavor :-)

October Swim Challenge - Update.......

Back on September 16th, I outlined my Fall swim challenge. So far so good, I have got into the pool five times (another one tonight) and have totaled just under 17,000 yds. My aim for October is 72,000 yds with 18 swims at 4,000 yds/swim. The workouts have been great to date and I'm getting a better feel for the water after not really swimming that much during September. I have found that the more I swim, the stronger I feel and the more I want to swim....hopefully the vicious circle will continue until I am strong enough to be in the lead pack of age groupers as the triathlon season comes around.

A sample workout from last week:

10/09/09 (4,100 scy)

Warm-up (400)
400 free

Transition (200)
4 x 50 (25 kick / 25 free)

Main Set (3,300)
200 Free on 3:00 1 x 100 (1:35)
200 Free on 3:00 2 x 100 (1:35, 1:30)
200 Free on 3:00 3 x 100 (1:35, 1:30, 1:35)
200 Free on 3:00 4 x 100 (1:35, 1:30, 1:35, 1:30)
200 Free on 3:00 5 x 100 (1:35, 1:30, 1:35, 1:30, 1:35)
200 Free on 3:00 6 x 100 (1:35, 1:30, 1:35, 1:30, 1:35, 1:30)

Cool Down (200)
200 free

One advantage is being able to use Fluid Recovery products after sessions. I used to really feel sore after longer, harder swim sessions and with Fluid I have definitely been less sore and able to swim hard the next session. At the moment it is really just trying to get into a swimmers mindset and trying to swim consistently. Now that the first few sessions have been done it is feeling easier to get into the pool and I actually want to go swim......I'll update again in a few weeks.

Additions to the Blog......

I hope you will have noticed that I have picked up a couple of independent sponsors for the 2010 season. They are Beaker Concepts, Inc and Fluid Sports Nutrition. As the winter and season progresses I will put reviews of their products up on the blog.

In the meantime, this is just a little background into the companies:

Beaker Concepts, Inc - Are makers of the Hydrotail hydration system as well as Vasosocks as worn by Team Garmin Slipstream. Check out their website for all of their product line where you can also shop online. If we see you with the Argyle socks we'll know where you got them from!!!!

Fluid Sports Nutrition - Fluid are the makers of an award winning muscle recovery sports drink. Its unique blend of carbohydrates, protein, and glutamine provide an outstanding and all natural formula for muscle repair, regeneration, and recovery. Be sure to check their website for all the detailed nutrition facts as well as links to recent research involving Fluid. Please contact me for further information and special offers!

As I mentioned above please let me know if you need any further information or testimonies of how the products are working for me....trust me they work!