2013 In Review - A Big Shout to First Endurance

Background
This past season, with a growing family and an increasing level of responsibly at work I figured I only had one more iron distance race in me. It would be my last chance to train and race for a Kona qualifying spot and take a trip to that little black island in the Pacific.

In an attempt to optimize every aspect of my race, I upgraded my bike, my wheels and my helmet in the off-season. To maximize the effect of my training, I learned how to use my power meter. And finally, to prep for the most important training and racing season of my life, the last upgrade I had to make was my nutrition.

I did my research and decided to go all-in with First Endurance. The list of products below seems daunting but I used each of them for a specific purpose, at specific times over the course of my season. I've gone into more detail below.


Training / Racing Nutrition
Optygen - Beginning in my base season, I started the 4 caps/daily regimen. I carried this usage throughout my season. I noticed lots of benefits and improvements but simply put, I noticed an ability to push harder for long and quickly recover! This came in especially useful for the hammer sessions with the local roadies!

Pre-Race - I mostly used Pre-Race for my race simulation sessions and in races. I'd also occasionally use 1/2 scoop mixed with an EFS Liquid Shot for Threshold/VO2 Max sessions. Whether you're looking for a pre-race boost or a late race kick, the stuff is like rocket fuel! The powder is great for mixing with gels, the caps are great for special needs bags, bento boxes, etc. 


EFS Liquid Shot - In addition to water/EFS, I prefer to supplement my training/racing sessions over 2 hours with gel. I prefer the 30 oz refill jug to fill empty flasks because I could really dial in how many calories I'd need to cover in a session without waste and I could easily mix in my Pre-race as required. This is also a great way to experiment with how many calories/hour you can handle.


EFS Drink - This was my go to electrolyte source for the season. For both training and racing, the stuff is packed with highest electrolyte dense formula on the market and tastes awesome! I loved the convenience of the single serve packs. There's nothing easier than stowing a few packs in a jersey pocket to help get you home from a long ride!

Recovery Nutrition
Ultragen - I drink chocolate milk like a fiend but after my most intense or longest session I'd call on Ultragen for a recovery shake 2-3x week. I couldn't decide whether I liked Tropical Punch or Orange Creamsicle better so I alternated when ordering. I didn't care for the Cappuccino flavor but the convenience of the single serve pouches couldn't be denied. 

MultiV - I try to eat really well but to ensure I was meeting all the daily nutritional requirement for endurance athletes, I supplemented loosely with MultiV in the off-season but then got into a regular daily usage during my peak training and racing months.




Summary
Like many, I was skeptical of the claimed benefits of all of these products. I'll leave it to the expert researchers and scientist at First Endurance to go into details about the how's and the why's work but I will say this; I've never been stronger or faster or healthier than I was in 2013! I earned a Kona qualifying spot at Ironman Wisconsin, I had a amazing 2013 season including PRs at the Olympic, 1/2 and iron distance races and I just wrapped up my season, on cloud nine, racing in the 2013 Ironman World Championships on the Big Island of Hawaii!

I don't think using all or any one of these products are the magic bullet to achieving your goals, but I do think this First Endurance line-up paired with a lot of hard work, dedication and focus have helped elevate my performance to a level I never could have imagined.



I'm already starting to look forward to 2014 but until then, here's to a restful off-season!

Cheers!
Corey Pérez
Lake Orion, MI