Anyone who knows me even a little bit will know that sitting still isn’t exactly my strongest point. My name is Inge, a mountain biker from the Kempen and a freelance communications specialist operating under the name FlamINGE.
I started out cycling on the road, but these days I combine that with various mountain biking disciplines, such as marathon, XC and enduro. Every now and then I also put on my running shoes, and a few months ago I took up golf as a new hobby. HELP!
I juggle all that with my job. And yes, that does take quite a bit of organisation. And energy… lots of energy. For the latter, I rely on Concap, where Luc and Natacha are always on hand to offer advice.
The same routine every morning
Like many people, I’m quite sensitive to changes in the weather. So, as soon as autumn rolls round, I traditionally find myself in the middle of my ‘snotty season’. My immune system could therefore do with a bit of a boost at that time of year.
Since last autumn, I have therefore been taking a number of Concap supplements every morning with my breakfast: Q10, omega 3, glucosamine, mineralen, vitamin E, Forte for stamina and concentration, and of course vitamin D.
It’s no miracle cure; I still get ill from time to time. But I do feel that when I do get ill, it’s not as severe and, above all, I recover more quickly.
Eating whilst cycling: not my strong point
When I first started cycling, I soon realised that I find it difficult to eat whilst exercising. Lots of energy gels and energy bars left me feeling bloated or with stomach ache. That’s far from ideal when you’re on your bike for five hours or more, which is usually the case in a mountain bike marathon.
Of course, not eating at all – or eating too little – isn’t an option either. That’s why, particularly during long sessions of exercise, I try to eat and drink regularly. Fortunately, I now have a better idea of what works for me and, above all, what I can still eat easily even after a few hours.
Every discipline has its own requirements
What and how much I eat and drink depends on what’s on the programme. Enduro involves short, very intense bursts of effort, whilst a marathon is a long, steady effort. It requires a different approach.
They all have one thing in common: the need to concentrate. And that’s simply only possible if your body has enough energy. That’s why I try to eat something roughly every hour during longer training sessions and competitions.
What do I usually carry in my water bottle and back pocket?
You’ll almost always find the following in my water bottle Concap Isotonic WatermelonIn mine. For me, it really is the discovery of the year in terms of flavour. You’ll find it almost as standard
With sports drinks, I often find that in hot weather they start to taste too sweet or cloying after a while. Watermelon, on the other hand, always stays nice and refreshing for me, even when it’s hot and I’ve been on the go for a few hours.
My other big favourite is the Fruity Bars. Kiwi, cherry, blueberry… I like them all. They’re soft, jelly-like fruit bars that go down really easily. That’s exactly why they work so well for me. As someone who’s a fussy eater when cycling, I don’t have to persuade myself to have one.
I alternate those Fruity Bars with the Energy GelOrange, a 60 ml high-carb energy gel. Handy when I need a quick energy boost or at times when I’d rather not eat too much solid food.
On longer training sessions, I also regularly take a Energy Bar Cranberry & Strawberry too. This one has a texture more like a traditional cereal bar, so it adds a bit of variety. And then there’s another one, the Energy Bar Nougat Salt & Lemon. But be warned, because they’re actually far too tasty.
And sure enough, even in my golf bag...
Like many people, until a few months ago I also thought that golf was something for old people – just a bit of a hit about with a ball, followed by a drink in a friendly atmosphere. I’ve since learnt better.
Just like mountain biking, golf is a highly technical sport and requires the utmost concentration. And when you play 18 holes, you’ll soon find yourself walking for several hours.
So yes, these days I always have Fruity Bars in my golf bag. If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be taking sports nutrition with me to play golf, I’d probably have had a good laugh.
Above all, finding out what works
Sports nutrition is very personal. What works perfectly for one person may feel completely different for another. That’s why it’s worth trying out different products to find out what suits your body, your sport and your level of exertion.
Good advice can make all the difference. And Luc and Natacha at Concap are just the people to turn to for that.