Triathlon Final Sprint

Even though there might be no time for carbs to be digested and absorbed, just rinsing the mouth with a 6% carbohydrate solution or just getting a hint of sweetness from a gel or energy drink could help you get to the finish line. Over the last few years, a number of studies have shown that you don’t even need to ingest carbohydrates to obtain a beneficial effect on performance. Just carbohydrate mouth rinsing tricks your body into performing better, as the mouth senses carbs and sends signals to the brain that more energy is on the way! Besides that, it’s a great mental lift, and allows your body to use any remaining energy stores! So it’s worth it to have that final gel or swig of an energy drink!

Worse case, those wrappers you’ve held on to – absolutely… get sucking! Best case, use that last gel and move it around the inside of your mouth in a rinsing motion before you swallow it. Remember, anything counts at this final stage and getting the brain recognising a sugar rush will give you that extra boost to take you over the line.

In terms of your own training and events to date, how do you find that little sprint at the end?

Nadezhda Pavlova

Managing Editor, Tri & Lifestyle