Nutrition Success: Generation UCAN

It's been almost ten years since I got involved in triathlon/endurance sports.  It's been an awesome adventure and I've dialed in quite a few things related to racing.  However, there's been one thing I've never gotten a handle on: training and racing nutrition. I have run the gamut of trying pretty much everything or a combination of it all in some form.  Gels, bars, real food, sports drinks; you name it, I've tried it.  It's not to say that I've never had a race with good nutrition, but there's never been any consistency to it.  I couldn't tell you what I did in any specific race because quite honestly there was no rhyme or reason to what I took in.

Don't get me wrong; none of these products are bad. I just couldn't find a combination that worked efficiently for me while I was racing. 

After a very disappointing day at Boise 70.3 that included the most awful cramping I've ever experienced and landed me in the medical tent at the finish line, I knew something had to change.  I didn't want to continue struggling with my nutrition in this manner.  Brian had been telling me about something called Generation UCAN that had been really successful for him.  I picked up a couple of individual packets at Destination Kona to give it a shot.  While I've done a lot of research myself, I'm not going to go into all the specifics of the product; I'll leave that to the experts on the website.  However, I will mention that UCAN is powered by SuperStarch, which stabilizes blood sugar and still allows you to burn fat.  It doesn't give you that sugar high followed by the crash and it's gluten free.

Take UCAN in a mason jar to work for an afternoon snack!

I didn't have much time to experiment with the product since I decided to race two weeks after Boise at Deuces Wild in Show Low.  I trained with it twice before giving it a go at Deuces; not necessarily the appropriate formula for success, but I didn't really have much to lose in this area.  Race morning at Deuces, I had an early morning breakfast of protein pancakes and peanut butter.  I wasn't due to race for about 3 hours after that, so I mixed two scoops of Trop Orange UCAN with water and drank it 30 minutes before the race start.  I did prepare a one scoop flask to have in T2, just in case I felt depleted.  I grabbed it for the run, but promptly trashed it when I realized I had no need for it.  I felt great the entire race, outside of general fatigue and racing at altitude.  My two favorite parts of racing on UCAN were that I could stay focused on racing and I wasn't sick to my stomach after the race.  I never had to be concerned about when to eat or counting calories; I just had to race and drink water.  Not having a bloated and upset stomach after the race was awesome as well.   
 

UCAN nutrition success at Deuces = 2nd Overall.

Since Deuces, I have switched to using Generation UCAN for all of my training and racing.  For shorter/less intense workouts, I use the Sports Drink Mix.  For longer/more intense workouts, I use the Chocolate Protein-Enhanced Drink Mix.  I also use the Chocolate mix as a snack during the day.  You can blend it up with a couple of your favorite things and it's a great afternoon treat. 

Try this combo of Chocolate UCAN + banana + scoop of peanut butter + coffee for some kick!

After training with UCAN for about six weeks, I raced again with it at AG Nationals in Milwaukee.  I raced the Olympic followed up with the Sprint the following day.  I drank a protein packet for both races; 30 minutes before each start.  I had great races and again loved that I got to focus all of my energy on racing and nothing else.  I successfully completed two more races with no stomach issues or post race headaches using this product.  I will have to experiment with the product a little more when I add some long distance racing back into my schedule.  There isn't one magic product that works for everyone, but if you're struggling with your nutrition and want to try something simple while adopting the less is more philosophy, give Generation UCAN a try.

Two successful Generation UCAN racers at AG Nationals.

Mountain to Fountain

This is one of my favorite races of the year and if you haven't done it you're missing out! I didn't really think about the consequences of running an early season half marathon followed up by a hard and hilly 15K the next weekend.  I paid for the decision to do these two races back to back with an injured hamstring shortly after, but I'll save that story for a later date.  News flash: I'm not 25 anymore.  :(    

Mountain to Fountain is run by a great group of people who have everything very organized and well run.  You are bussed out to McDowell Mountain Park and you run back into Fountain Hills.  The first couple miles are a fast downhill, followed by some rolling hills, and one major climb back into the city.  The race always attracts some super fast, 'real' runners as I like to call them, with prize money on the table.

Packet pickup was easy and simple at Sole Sports Scottsdale.  Lots of PowerBar product for the taking and great shirts as always.  Race day morning went smoothly.  We drove out to Fountain Hills, got on the bus right away, and next thing I knew it was start time.  The start is always a little crowded, it's not big enough for corrals.  Per normal standards, a lot of people try and move up to the  front who shouldn't be up there.  I just find a spot and settle in because it will clear out quickly. I tried to be fairly conservative on the downhill section because it's easy to blow your legs out.  Once the rollers come it's fun to reel back in the folks who went blasting past you on the downhills.  The big hill seemed harder this year, my legs were heavy and my breathing was very labored.  By the time I crested the top of the climb, by HR was pushing 190.  OUCH. I tried to recover quickly on the downhill section so I could hold it together for the final stretch.  Unfortunately, the wheels were falling off and I was definitely hurting coming into the finish shoot.  I finished with a PR, barely, in 1:07:00. 

One of the best parts of this race is that you can win lots of Four Peaks beer.  My Zoot teammates and I raced as part of a team and we lost by only three one hundredths of a second!!! Look out next year!

Mmmmm, beer!

Thank you to Muscle Milk, Tri Scottsdale, Zoot, Tribe Multisport, and Fitletic for the support!

XTERRA Trail Run: McDowell Mountain

The XTERRA Arizona Trail Run Series is one of my favorites.  It's a low key, inexpensive, and challenging series with four different runs throughout the year.  The races always offer a shorter and a longer version.  In my opinion, the best race is the one at McDowell Mountain in February.  I love Pemberton Trail because it's not super rocky and the course flows nicely.  The hardest part of this race is that it's so early in the season.  Coming off some down time, it's challenging to be ready for a 15 trail run on February 2nd, but definitely worth it.  This year it was also my first race being apart of Team Zoot Southwest!

Packet pickup was really simple at Sole Sports Scottsdale.  PowerBar provides nutrition for the races and there were plenty of goodies available at packet pickup.  Race morning was easy and uneventful.  It's about a 45 minute drive out to McDowell Mountain Park and I made the trek with a couple friends. A visit to the 'ol porta potty and it was race time.

The beginning of this race is always pretty crowded.  There's no need to worry and jockey too much for a spot because it will quickly sort itself out.  I just tried to pick a consistent pace and stick with it. It's an upward grind for about five miles until a nice reprieve as you head down Dixie Mine for the turnaround. The out and back on Dixie Mine is tight single track so you have to pay attention and be considerate of people going the opposite way.  Once you climb back out of there, it's pretty much rollers all the way back.  The wheels started to fall off around mile twelve.  I was still running fine, but there wasn't much speed left in my legs.  Early season racing definitely caught up with me and I tried to hold it together the best I could until the finish.

Reuniting with my girls post race!

Me and my super fast friend, Erin!

I was very happy to see a seven minute PR on this course, which was lucky enough to land me 2nd AG/6th OA.  One thing I think is silly about Xterra races is that they don't remove the overall winners from the age groups.  Removing the overall winners gives additional people the opportunity to get on the podium. I wore my Fitletic Single Pouch Running Belt with two hydration bottles added on; it was the perfect setup.  I drank from the aid stations when I passed them and used the hydration bottles when I was out in the middle of nowhere. 

Such a fun day at the races. Always awesome to have Muscle Milk at the race!

Thank you to Tri Scottsdale, Tribe Multisport, Zoot Sports, Muscle Milk, and Fitletic, for all of the support. 

Flagstaff, Again

After Napa it was back to reality.  A couple short weeks later we were off to Flagstaff for the Mountain Man Olympic Triathlon.

Race travel essentials. Pro Compression, Starbucks, new mani, & lucky bracelet.

Arizona beauty.

We rented a gorgeous house with two other couples.

We got up North late on Friday night. Saturday morning I got up to do a little shake out walk/jog.  We decided to head into downtown Flagstaff to do a little walking around and grab some lunch.

We came across this gem and may have gotten a couple of goodies.

 Brandon, Eric, and I headed to the race venue to pick up our packets.  This race is very low key, you can literally run in and out for your packet in five minutes.  Since we've both done these races multiple times, we didn't mess around. We had a nice home cooked meal on Saturday night and then played some games. One more sleep and it was game time.
 

I find it hilarious that I end up with a job as a 5-0.

Race morning went smoothly.  The only snafu was that I hadn't tried my race wheels on my new frame yet.  When trying to put them on, the brake area was too small and they didn't fit! Training wheels for me; not really a big deal in the scheme of things.  Brandon and I got setup in transition quickly and headed down to the start.  A month or so ago when I did the sprint in Flagstaff, I had an awful swim where I felt lightheaded and my legs like lead, so I was a little nervous about that at the start.  Luckily, I didn't have the same experience.  I started out nice and steady towards the first buoy and then tried to get after it a little.  I got out in the lead and held onto it going into T1.  The bike was okay; nothing genius, nothing horrible. I held the lead heading into T2. I felt like I was running okay, but I knew the girls were closing in on me.  Karleen passed me around the two mile mark; shortly before the picture below. 

 

I focused on moving forward at a consistent pace, but SheriAnne caught me less than a mile from the finish.  It was frustrating, but I had nothing else to give. My quest to becoming a runner continues.  Overall, I was happy with the race and finishing 3rd Overall.

Karleen and I at the finish

Thanks for everything Coach!

We packed it up quickly and headed home because this princess was waiting for us!

A little thank you for Addy's doggy sitters.

We're off to Santa Barbara next!

Napa: Day 4 - Do I really have to leave?

We started off the last morning with a nice walk through downtown Napa.

Coffee at Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company

Big Chair = Picture Opportunity

A couple of us headed out on a little run.  The highlight was running into the Wine Spectator building.  Never know what you'll find on a run. Unfortunately, it was then time to check out of the hotel.

We had time for one last Napa meal; at famous Gott's Roadside. Yumm!  You can't miss this place next time you're in the area.  They have expanded and are in Napa, St. Helena, San Francisco, and Palo Alto now.

This was such an amazing trip with some very special people.  See you next time wine country.

Napa: Day 3 - Living the Good Life

We started off the morning with a group run adventuring through various parts of Napa.  I think that is one of the best parts of running; exploring new places.  Even better when you  have great friends to do it with.

Love these ladies!

Our first stop of the day was Caymus Vineyards with the very sweet Esiquio! He was awesome; I highly recommend going to visit him and this winery when you come to town.

Another lucky day!

Gorgeous outdoor tasting area.

Cocktail worthy. Food Friendly. ~Caymus

Awesome experience with this group.

The awesome Esiquio.

Us, fun?! Love these girls!

Our next stop was Domaine Chandon. We didn't have a tour, just a nice relaxing time sipping bubbly on the outdoor terrace.  We didn't even the finish all of the bottles there, so we took them on the bus with us!

An entire wall of bottles. It was really neat, it curved around a bend in the wall.

Loving this treatment.  How will I ever go back to reality?

Cheers!

Good stuff. 

Off to the Franciscan Release Party.  Who are we? There were various rooms to visit and wines to try as well as an amazing spread of food and dessert.  I really like Franciscan wine so this was one of my favorite stops.

Fancy pants.

My friends Jessica, Natalie, and Amanda all live in the area and came to see me!

One of my favorites.

My Girls.

Our last and final stop of the trip was Napa Cellars/Menage A Trois. This winery is owned by the same group as Trinchero, so we had the same host here as well.

Erin and me with our fantastic host.

We all kind of did our own thing for dinner this evening.  I went with my friends who are from the area to The Thomas.  Fancy and yummy.

My friend Jessica picked us up some dessert from Sift Cupcakes. She had these at her wedding and they are delicious!!

Napa: Day 2 - Is all the wine gone?!

My friend Kimmy and I started off the day at the local gym, Exertec, with a fun spin class.  For $10 we got to attend the class and use any of the other facilities.  Rockin' out to Michael Jackson, good times.  After spinning, I hit up the pool; a great start to day that would be full of lots of wine.

Lucky enough, the Starbucks was on my short jaunt back to the hotel. Imagine my excitement when I found they had a Clover!! Oh, happy day.

Our first stop was Robert Mondavi. I had actually been to this winery years ago, but it was nice to visit again. We had a very nice and personable guide who put up with our crew of cackling women.

Making wine is a skill, fine wine is an art. ~Robert Mondavi

The Group

The vineyards were gorgeous.

Sans spandex and ponytails.

Grape crusher

I wish this was my basement.

Our private tasting room!

Yummm!

Having fun with our guide; leaning with the statue.

Our next stop was Del Dotto for some fun cave tasting. We had a funny and charismatic guide who charmed many of our ladies.

Ladies of Del Dotto

Tasting in the cave was really fun!

I love this contraption they use to get the wine out of the barrel.

Too bad you can't pour wine like this everyday.

The bunghole, where the good stuff comes out!

I love this picture. All trouble.

The birthday girl and me!

Our last stop of the day was Trinchero.  We had a nice and relaxing taste outside in the gorgeous afternoon.

Pretty sure I could live here without any issues.

That evening we had dinner at Norman Rose Tavern. We had reserved the private dining room and it was perfect for our crazy and loud group of women! The service and food were great as well.