Every athlete needs the right fuel to make it through their most challenging races. And for some of the participants at the recent Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB event in New South Wales, Fixx Nutrition was a key part of their energy supplementation as they tackled sprints and climbs.
Located in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, the Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB has some of the roughest terrain in any Australian marathon. Runners take on steep inclines and rocky paths ranging from 32 km to a grueling 161 km.
Fixx Nutrition was there to support athletes as they conquered their goals and showed their strength, mettle and commitment. We want to highlight some of their stories to celebrate their determination and triumph, so we’ve compiled some information about their unique journeys and how Fixx helped them reach their goals.
Understanding the Nutrition Requirements for an Ultra-Maraton
During an ultra-marathon, runners should focus on maintaining a steady stream of carbohydrates (about 60% of their caloric consumption) to ensure their body has enough fuel to meet the demands of the trails.
Most runners will consume anywhere between 60 to 90 g of carbohydrates per hour and regularly take in fluids to maintain electrolyte levels and prevent energy depletion.
Fluid intake is also vital to performance and safety. Runners will have to adjust depending on the type of marathon, the terrain, sweat levels and weather conditions. It’s also vital to ensure they are adequately hydrated to aid muscle recovery in the days following the marathon.
Fat and protein are also key players during an ultra-marathon (15% and 20% of the diet respectively), but small portions in more frequent doses are recommended to keep the metabolism firing and energy levels higher.
Meet the Athletes
Each of the four athletes in this article had a unique race and equally unique nutritional needs to take care of during their marathon. From our own co-founder who is a non-professional athlete to a professional ultra-marathoner, Fixx was there to help each individual give themselves the endurance and energy they needed to push through hurdles and reach the finish line.
Michelle Bucheggar: Conquering the Kosci 30
Event: Kosci 30 (32 km (19 miles) with 610 m (3.2 feet) elevation gain)
Athlete Stats: Female, Early 50s, Non-Professional Athlete
Our own co-founder, Michelle, completed the Kosci 30 to test her endurance over a shorter distance. It may be the shortest event in the marathon, but it’s far from easy. Runners kick off at the ski hub Perisher before making their way through Thredbo Valley to Bullocks Flat at the bottom of the mountain.
Although she isn’t a professional athlete, Michelle is highly active and participates in endurance sports. Her background in sports and her own experience as a business owner has helped her understand the true value of mental fortitude and importance of proper nutrition when undertaking an event like this.
During the Kosci 30, Michelle used a mix of Fixx Nutrition’s Fuel X Pro and Gel X Pro to keep her energy levels high and sustainable throughout the marathon. Here’s a breakdown of the strategy:
- 2 scoops of Raspberry Fuel X Pro in 500 ml of water every 2 hours
- 2 Gel X Pro, alternating between caffeinated and caffeine-free
- 1 CrampFix Shot at 20 km for calf cramps
Leah’s Journey on the Kosci 50
Event: Kosci 50 (50 km (31 miles) with 1626 m (5,338 feet) elevation gain)
Athlete Stats: Female, late 40s, non-professional athlete
Often recommended as the best fit for first-time ultra runners, the Kosci 50 offers breathtaking alpine views around Mount Kosciuszko and sights like Summiting Eagles Nest and plateau trails.
Leah took on the challenging mid-level race with Fixx by her side. She knew that staying properly nourished and hydrated during this intense marathon would require strategy and perseverance. As she prepped herself mentally, she also chose a fueling plan that would help her stay physically prepared for the most taxing part of the trek.
Here’s how she endured during the race:
- 2 scoops of Fuel X Pro Orange in 500 ml of water at each aid station, approximately 12-17 km apart
- 3 Gel X Pro (2 Espressos and 1 Raspberry)
Leah worked on using Fuel X Pro Orange to keep her electrolytes balanced throughout the marathon and used Gel X Pro to get through her personal “struggle street kms” at 12-17 km. She says she took the espresso gel to get through that challenge, then focused on the “downhill bomb into the finish line.”
Pete’s Climb to the Kosci 100 Finish Line
Event: Kosci 100 (106.5 km (62 miles) with a 3030 m (9940 feet) elevation gain)
Athlete Stats: Male, early 40s, semi-professional athlete
Starting at Perisher ski hub, the Kosci 100 takes runners through tough snowy mountain treks as they climb to the top of Mount Kosciuszko.
For Pete, preparing for the Kosci 100 included knowing how to properly fuel for such a long and demanding marathon. He relied primarily on Fuel X Pro to keep his energy levels high, and focused on maintaining stable endurance with hourly doses of Fixx Nutrition’s Gel X Pro.
Here’s his full strategy:
- 2 scoops of Fuel X Pro Orange in 500 ml of water every hour
- Gel X Pro every hour to stabilise energy levels
Vlad Shatrov: The Ultimate Kosci Challenge
The Event: Kosci Miler (161 km (100) with 5000+ m (16404+ feet) elevation gain)
Athlete Stats: Male, professional trail runner
Vlad was beyond hyped for the Kosci Miler. Runners are given 36 hours to complete the race, which includes treks through alpine meadows, snow gum forests, and the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.
An ultra-marathoner, he knew that this high-stakes trail would take a lot out of him mentally and physically. He diligently prepped for months, incorporating Fixx Nutrition into his plan. It was a challenge because he had to prepare his fuel strategy for an extended period of time. No stranger to tough challenges, so he relied on previous experience and his professional knowledge to pace himself throughout the race.
Here’s what he did to stay alert and energized:
- 2.5 scoops of Fuel X Tropical in 500 ml of water for the first 2-3 hours
- 2.5 scoops of Fuel X Pro Tropical before moving onto Fuel X Orange (1 litre every 90 minutes)
- CrampFix at 60 km due to his back and pain in his hamstrings, which CrampFix helped soothe
- 3 Lemon Sorbet Gel X Pro in the first 12 hours
-
- Solid foods into the night (hot noodles) as he needed to warm up due to the rough and cold conditions making him borderline hypothermic
- Fuel X Pro 55G Sachet Wild Berry Caffeinated for the rest of the night to stay energized
Push Yourself the Extra Mile
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a new athlete, Fixx Nutrition has the right products to help you stay hydrated and energized. From long-distance running to ultra-marathons and triathlons, passionate athletes and non-professional sports enthusiasts designed our sports range to keep both the gold medalists and weekend warriors feeling their best.
Check out our shop for more details on all the products featured in this post.
