All season I used NUUN for both training and racing, using 1/2 tablet per 20 ounce water bottle fill up. I firmly believe in training as you race, so I used NUUN (and Gu) for all my workouts. Sometime soon, I want to write a post comparing the fuel cost of riding my bike 50 miles versus driving 50 miles - LOL! All the fuel for my body adds up.
Now that the season is over, I went back to just plain water and no Gu to save money. I've done two workouts this week with plain water. Here's the thing, tho. I can't stand not having NUUN in my water. NUUN gives me the ideal balance of electrolytes for my body, which helps me stay perfectly hydrated for my workout. Plus, I end up drinking the perfect amount of water without thinking about it. It really helped me in races. With plain water, I tend to over-drink. Using NUUN also keeps me from craving salt all day long after a workout. The past three days, without the NUUN, I have craved salt. And, when I crave salt I pig out on crackers and pretzels. I work hard counting calories to get and stay lean, so pigging out on crackers is very bad. So, I will keep on using my NUUN. I'd rather spend a few dollars a month on NUUN than gain a few pounds from all those crackers!
If the good folks at NUUN are monitoring the blogosphere, I still want a NUUN tri suit for next season. Please, please, please send me one (women's size medium). Then, my competitors will say "that NUUN chick flew past me in the bike and I couldn't keep up with her". :-) And next year 'Aquaphor chick' will be hunting down 'NUUN chick'!
