A Bike Is A Bike Is A Bike

Favorite testimonial from IMKY:  Elizabeth Lulich, MI, F40-44, 15:34:52 "I was the one who told you I was doing lines of salt off my aero bars. I LOVED your product and will help promote any way I can. I have to admit, I thought it was a little sketch when I paid $5 a piece for a Tic Tac container of salt... but I probably would have paid $50 on the bike course when I started to cramp."

Since when is a bike really just a bike?  I mean, I could probably complete an Ironman Distance Triathlon on my beach cruiser, but who wants to do that. Technology has advanced. We as athletes have advanced.  But why are we sooooooo incredibly reluctant to change? This is a picture of the man we all know, Chris Lieto, hauling ass on one of his super bikes. (For those of you who don't know, Chris is the master whiz who created BASE Performance and makes the decisions on all of the formulas.  They are all created by him).

Superbike vs. Beach Cruiser, a bike is a bike right? I mean, if it has 2 wheels, 2 pedals, and handlebars, why wouldn't Chris just ride it in Kona? If a bike is a bike is a bike, isn't salt just salt just salt.  I mean, have we really advanced so much in our racing / training that there may actually be something out there that is better!!!!! Can you guess the number one statement I must have heard a thousand times in the 3 days prior to Louisville, and that I still hear today? "Nothing new for the race. What I currently use works."  In the words of Milly Wade West who wasn't dare going to change her Electrolyte and Salt intake plan prior to Ironman Boulder.  "The salt was like rocket fuel, that altitude really threw a number on me but you saved me." I spoke to Milly for at least 20 minutes at the expo explaining to her why capsules ultimately don't work, and why our product is better (more to come on that shortly). She stated "my pills have never failed before." I said "have you ever had a flat tire during a triathlon?" She of course said "no." I said "are you bringing a spare tube?"  "Yes" "But if your tires have never failed you before, why bring a spare?"  I ask this of all our athletes who we speak to. Why not bring a back up just in case?

Our product is like rocket fuel.  Why when you guys pass us on the course and you look like the walking death and you're covered in white salt and your eyes are rolled back and glossy do you refuse to "try it?" If you're on the verge of dropping out anyways, and / or you're barely walking, why don't you take the advice of Chris Lieto. You've invested a year of your life, sacrificed everything to cross the finish line. Why not invest $30, purchase some of our BASE Electrolyte Salt as a back up, put it in one of our race containers, and set 2 in your Bento Box for the bike and have 2 for the run. Treat them like a spare tube. "Just in case." Follow your plan, until your plan fails.

To use our analogy from earlier, we have all seen the old beach cruiser, but wouldn't you rather experience the new wave and future in endurance racing

You could race an Ironman on your trusted beach cruiser. Sure, it will still get you to the finish line, but it's going to hurt a lot more than it has too.

SCIENCE

Below are 5 paragraphs from an article in the Harvard Health Publications regarding Sodium Intake.  Click HERE if you want to actually go to the article.

Make no mistake about it: salt is essential for human health. The average adult's body contains 250 grams (g) of sodium ‚ less than 9 ounces, or about the amount in three or four saltshakers. Distributed throughout the body, salt is especially plentiful in body fluids ranging from blood, sweat, and tears to semen and urine.

Sodium is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, always bringing water along with it. It is the major mineral in plasma, the fluid component of blood, and in the fluids that bathe the body's cells. Without enough sodium, all these fluids would lose their water, causing dehydration, low blood pressure, and death.

Fortunately, it only takes a tiny amount of sodium to prevent this doomsday scenario; in fact, some isolated population groups manage perfectly well on just 200 mg a day. About one-quarter of the tongue's taste buds are devoted to recognizing salt; like other animals, humans can ‚ and do‚ seek out salt when they need it. And when dietary salt is in short supply, the body can conserve nearly all its sodium, dramatically reducing the amount excreted in urine and shed in sweat. Remember that water always follows sodium, and you'll understand why your skin is dry and your urine scant and concentrated when you are dehydrated and conserving sodium.

To be sure its supply of salt and water is just right, the body has developed an elaborate series of controls. The blood vessels and brain signal the kidneys to retain or excrete sodium as needed; they also fine-tune the sensation of thirst so you'll provide water in amounts that match the body's sodium supply.

The body, in its wisdom, can make do with remarkably small amounts of sodium. But human behavior can thwart nature's checks and balances by taking in much more sodium than we need. The major consequence is a rise in blood pressure, which leads to a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke.

The BASE Performance Electrolyte Salt is absorbed through the tongue, gums, and mouth. Read the article.  25% of the tongue is devoted to sodium. "Sodium chloride used as dietary salt has shown to cut back nitric oxide production. Nitric Oxide inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction and growth. Moderate to severe dehydration require solutions containing a larger percentage amount of sodium chloride than can not necessarily be found in sports drinks." (*Christin Tinkle, Research Scientist) So think about this. WHY, when we put our bodies through Ironman hell for at least 10 hours, sometimes 17, do we swallow a pill, force it to travel 9 meters through our GI Tract, (it's 9 meters from your throat to your stomach) and hope our stomachs will break it down and send the sodium where it needs to go. (The mouth receptors absorb 80% of the sodium while the stomach absorbs about 20%)  Look at your current salt capsule, see how many mg of sodium it has per pill, and do the math. If it has 40 mg per pill, your body will absorb about 8 mg of sodium per pill (20%) BASE Electrolyte Salt is 300 mg per serving. Ironman Louisville had 2000 athletes cross the finish line.  Of those 2000 athletes, 1200 ended up trying our product. We were not able to keep up with everyone. Below are the athletes who we were able to track and follow.  Over 120 athletes sent us messages telling us how amazing the product was, and how it was a game changer for their race. Don't take my word for it, scroll down and read some of the comments in RED next to the athletes who made them. To make this fun (and let's face it, get you to scroll all the way to the bottom) all of my pictures from the weekend are at the bottom, and so is a special $25 off coupon code. You spend hours upon hours training and racing. You spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on this sport.  Take 5 more minutes and scroll to the bottom.  I can honestly tell you that you will appreciate what you're reading.

  

FRIENDS OF BASE WHO RACED IN LOUISVILLE

The list below are the athletes who we met and gave BASE Products to on the run course. We wrote down their bib number so we could check to see how they finished.

Joe Pawlish, PA, M40-44, 09:34:43 Yeah, that was good stuff. Definitely needed that. I was starting to salt out. Thanks!!!

Brady Dehoust, VA, M35-39, 09:38:05

Jonathan Feddock, KY, M30-34, 09:56:22

Curt Cotner, MI, M40-44, 10:00:32 I did enjoy the product because it was very easy to use. I had used up most/all of my salt tabs so I was happy to see you out there. I still had the remaining 2/3's of second loop and it was to hot to be without salt. Thank you again, I appreciated the help.

Derk De Korver, CA, M30-34, 10:01:34 Really loved the product. Since it isn't in pill format you really notice the effect right away

Reid Foster, OK, M25-29, 10:02:54 Pre-race hydration consisted of base amino and salts, freshest I have ever felt before a race! Used the base amino for my on bike nutrition, helped sustain energy and slow muscle breakdown. the base salts on the run course prevented all cramping in Kona like conditions! Will definitely be using base products for my next big race!

Les Friesen, MB, M30-34, 10:03:46

Pablo Testa, Panama, M45-49, 10:05:51

Amy Javens, PA, FPRO, 10:07:16

Cindy Lewis, ON, FPRO, 10:11:41 Are you at IM Chatt? Just thinking about needing you on the run again. Lol.

Jim Kruse, FL, M35-39, 10:18:45 I used base Electrolyte salt for the first time at Ironman Louisville. I picked up a few of the tic Tak cases. That stuff is incredible! I'm from Florida so heat and humidity is a factor constantly while I train.  I know how performance suffers when the cramps set in from excessive heat and lack of sufficient salts.  I was pounding those tic Tak cases during the bike and to start the run and didn't cramp once. I'm definitely going to continue using your product. Next up...Ironman Florida in 7 weeks so need to get an order in to you soon.

Michael Tarabay, TX, M35-39, 10:20:46 Great product, I'd totally use it on all scorching IM courses. The other similar products are OK, but I find it tough swallow a horse pill when my body is turned inside out...

Torsten Deuter, Deutschland, M40-44,10:21:05

Rachel Jastrebsky, MA, FPRO, 10:23:23

Moeller Uwe, Hessen, M45-49, 10:25:24

Robert Taylor, SC, M50-54, 10:26:44 I used the Base Salt every mile on the marathon and it seemed to help. That was my first time using the product, and I would use it again in hot conditions.

Michel Saint-Cyr, MN, M45-49, 10:29:32

Niklas Sjoblom, CH, M30-34, 10:33:52

Matt Doutt, PA, M18-24, 10:36:08

Jason Soria, TX, M40-44, 10:37:15

Ron Trunick, OR, M45-49, 10:37:22

Ryan Althaus, KY, M30-34, 10:37:31 I actually really liked the product, id never done any type of salt b4... unfortunately i got to u all a little late but did notice a difference.

Carrie Mccoy, OH, F30-34, 10:40:23

Randall Howard, NY, M40-44, 10:42:06 Yeah, the Base Salt definitely got my through the heat at IM Louisville. Lets keep in touch with that!

Scott Kennedy, IN, M40-44, 10:45:13

Sam Martinez, GA, M45-49, 10:46:45

Jeremy Valentine, PA, M35-39, 10:49:10

Joey Romkey, NS, M25-29, 10:51:41

Jeffrey Maguire, ON, M35-39, 10:52:28

Seth Therrien, FL, M30-34, 10:53:13

Jeff Richmond, PA, M40-44, 10:53:19 Great product! I require a LARGE amount of electrolyte replacement during races and your product is by far the best. It's effective and easy to use without the 'rock gut' feeling that I normally experience using other products. The only 'hitch' that I experienced was with the cap popping off after the second use on the course. While I lost the cap on the fly, I was able to stuff the label into the container as a makeshift top until I had access to my special needs bag and pick up a replacement pack. Hopefully my experience with the top was an isolated incident, but regardless, I am a big fan and I will make BASE Performance an essential part of my race day kit.

Tyler Holliday, WV, M18-24, 10:54:35

Edward Toole, MA, M55-59, 10:55:24

Ami Hutchinson, WI, F25-29, 10:56:29

Tyler Cox, KY, M25-29, 10:57:01

Katie Robinson, FL, F30-34, 10:59:39

Gina Correll, CA, F45-49, 10:59:53 I raced Louisville yesterday. At the expo you introduced me to the Base salt "shaker" and I called my coach and he said "go for it". I LOVED the stuff. It was so easy to use it and I never got dehydrated and actually came in first in my Age Group- so happy.

Cara Gaines, KY, F30-34, 11:01:17

Mark Baranko, IN, M30-34, 11:06:04

Josh Goldner, Israel, M40-44, 11:08:02

Andrew Lerner, NC, M35-39, 11:08:09

Bridget Hatch, NY, F35-39, 11:10:24

Liz Reinhart, OH, F18-24, 11:10:51

Artis Truett, KY, M50-54, 11:12:26

Jonah Biddick, NC, M35-39, 11:12:59

Chelsea Tiner, TX, F25-29, 11:14:22 I will be using in kona

Shaun Keegan, OH, M35-39, 11:17:45

Keith Booe, IN, M40-44, 11:24:25 Thank you for the salt. I love how you are marketing your business. Please feel free to tag me in your race report. I did like the salt. I had a terrible run compared to the last couple years in Louisville and I think the salt helped bring me back a little. I was cramping really badly by the time I saw you and felt like my legs came back after using your product.

Elyse Gallegos, TN, F25-29, 11:24:39 I took it in as preventative when I saw you guys.. Actually was telling my Ironman Chattanooga people about y'all, how brilliant to put salt in a 'tic-tac' holder!!

Jeffrey Dugan, NY, M30-34, 11:24:47 Your salt product rocks! Probably wouldn't have finished today without it.

Brian Meyer, IN, M45-49, 11:24:49 I loved the product

Paul Christman, PA, M50-54, 11:25:34

Candida Crasto, OH, F25-29, 11:27:42

Evan Culbert, IA, M18-24, 11:27:43 Loved base salt

Scott Mcneany, IN, M30-34, 11:28:11

Brendan Neary, NY, M25-29, 11:30:57 I did have a pleasant experience with your product. I am a big fan of salt and especially on such a beast of a day.   The product itself I can fully stand behind, the one suggestion that I would have for you and team base salt is to create some type of applicator. Something maybe similar to a test tube that is easily carried within a tri suit and can be tilted for the specific amount of salt needed. I have seen sugar dispensers that when you tilt it, it only gives you a specific serving size at a time. That would be ideal for me, something I can take out, tilt, ingest, wash down, and put back. Just one mans thoughts, but thanks again for the salt, it did wonders and appreciate the help out there.

Eric Stimach, MI, M45-49, 11:31:05

Sara Walker, DE, F18-24, 11:32:59 I absolutely loved the Electrolyte Salts, which I purchased from you on a whim the day prior to IMLOU. Never in my eleven and a half hours of racing did I feel fatigued to the point of no return, which is crucial in long course triathlon events. I felt that I had strong legs coming off the bike- a welcome but unanticipated surprise. I attribute that, in large part, to BASE electrolyte salts which I took every ten to fifteen minutes on the bike course and continued to take at every aid station on the run course. I was able to post a time that I did not believe I was capable of and owe a great deal of gratitude to BASE which I will certainly incorporate into my training from this point forward.

Daniel Barnes, LA, M30-34, 11:33:55

Tomek Bogdziewicz, OH, M40-44, 11:34:40

Michael Kilroe, IL, M45-49, 11:35:35

Joerg Domke, DEU, M50-54, 11:36:09

Tyler Dickinson, KY, M25-29, 11:36:12

Michael Benson, TX, M35-39, 11:36:50

Michael Courson, IN, M45-49, 11:37:36

Andrew Foudriat, NY, M18-24, 11:38:10

Samuel Rubin, NJ, M40-44, 11:38:12

Jonathan Nichols, TX, M18-24, 11:38:31

Vedran Kapic, MI, M35-39, 11:39:05

Darla Shinn, TX, F35-39, 11:39:52 Thanks for the help! Salt and amino made me feel much better!!!!

Ed Crossman, GA, M30-34, 11:39:59

Dewayne Roberson, NC, M50-54, 11:40:15

Rob Stratton, VA, M30-34, 11:40:24

Kris Zelinsky, ON, M35-39, 11:41:11

Kristoph Kocan, PA, M40-44, 11:41:45

Tracy Johns, FL, M45-49, 11:42:24

David Hanson, NC, M40-44, 11:43:58

Cliff Nurrenbern, IN, M30-34, 11:47:21

David Zaparanick, GA, M45-49, 11:47:30

Nick Ihde, MO, M35-39, 11:49:25

Matt Logan, NJ, M25-29, 11:49:34

Keith Couvillion, LA, M40-44, 11:49:38

Joshua Agent, MS, M25-29, 11:49:52 I believe y'all's salt got me through. I couldn't take in anymore food after mile 15 so I made it on water, y'all's salt, and coke!! Thank you!

Eugene Grib, IL, M30-34, 11:50:07

Stan Fivecoat, FL, M45-49, 11:51:16 The BASE salt definitely helped me hold on until it was cooler - I negative split the last half w/ only brief stops @ the aid stations for water to go with my BASE . The 1st half I progressively slowed down as the heat wore me out..

Derek Nordman, GA, M35-39, 11:51:19

Caroline Wilson, CA, F45-49, 11:52:03

Roberto Di Giovine, SC, M40-44, 11:52:06

Kim Gawrys, TN, F45-49, 11:52:13 Thanks for being out there, refilling my container, the cup of Amino as I headed down the homestretch and standing by your product and athletes!

Ben Bennett, AZ, M35-39, 11:55:13

Greg Carefoot, GA, M45-49, 11:55:23

Kimberly Baumgartner, VA, F35-39, 11:55:28 Kind of a funny story - my day was a comedy of errors, beginning with a busted speed suit zipper and culminating with a stress fracture in my left foot around mile 15 on the run....  Full version attached if you are ever bored! But I will definitely say that I ended up loving the product and can safely say it made a difference in my day! I had taken Base with me as a back up since I hadn't trained with it and on the bike when I went to reach for my salt pills, found the BASE container first and decided to give it a go, and ended up sticking with it all day...  I talk about some of that in my race report. I am normally good in the heat - let me be clear - I don't enjoy it, but it does not effect me as badly as it effects others, and I like to use that to my advantage....  but even I was worried about that 97 degree heat index when I started the run. But run I did... taking Base every 3 or so miles, and at the beginning of the second lap, yes I was still really hot, but I felt MUCH better than I expected, and still somehow had to pee.... after all those miles in that ungodly heat - and I am a sweater - a salty sweater!!!! But I was still hydrated.... and even with a broken foot (which I actually knew was broken around mile 18 or 20) I still only walked the aid stations to get ice and water...The only criticism I will give is that you need to come up with some other sort of dispenser, and I'm not sure what.... in a drier race, it wouldn't have been an issue, but my singlet was sooooo soaked with water that after shaking the containers, the top/sides were wet and they got crusty and wouldn't close completely.... which of course led to exploded salt containers in my back pocket. I grabbed a new one from you guys on the second loop, but even that one had exploded by the end of the race....  Thanks for all the support and best of luck to you!!

Grant Herdrich, MD, M30-34, 11:55:56 the salt was great on course. Salt was definitely needed on that hot day and using it was easier than even taking normal salt tabs.

Nick Gregory, FL, M25-29, 11:57:15

Doug Strickland, TN, M50-54, 11:57:22

Gwen Duhon, TN, F50-54, 12:00:39

Jodi Birdsong Ottman, HI, F40-44, 12:03:36 I had just regular packets of salt (like from restaurants) on me and in my special needs bag in case conditions conditions required them-which that day, they totally did! Instead I used your product! Was waay better and easier and helped me get to the finish though, it probably wasn't pretty! Since I live in a hot humid environment (Maui, HI), I would love to get your product here! I'm running a marathon on Sun and the Honolulu in Dec. Both are usually hot and humid -  your product would be awesome!!

John Chinchen, MI, M18-24, 12:04:38

Martin Ovsjannikov, Intl, M40-44, 12:05:24

Ben Bly, IN, M25-29, 12:05:25

Bryan Den Hollander, MI, M18-24, 12:06:03

Lauren Frounfelker, GA, F25-29, 12:07:34

Baxter Krutsch, OH, M30-34, 12:08:33

Andrea Arlinghaus, OH, F30-34, 12:10:14

Chris Bain, TN, M35-39, 12:11:06 Want to give u a shout out for the salt during my IM Louisville race. A thumb lick did the trick . Thx guys!!

Walt Wepfer, TN, M18-24, 12:11:45

Nathan Stewart, KY, M45-49, 12:12:17

Sandra Ruhlman, NY, F40-44, 12:13:08

Shawna Eikenberry, IN, F40-44, 12:15:23

Christopher Keating, GA, M18-24, 12:15:39

Paul Schmude, MI, M35-39, 12:17:07

Tim Wellman, MD, M30-34, 12:17:07 The product worked fairly well as a compliment to regular salt tabs. The only issue expereiced, which is  difficult fix, a lot of clumping of the product. Also the lid failed and was hard to close after a while.

Lance Grenzow, MN, M25-29, 12:17:19

Zhengxin Li, Beijing, M45-49, 12:17:49

Jennifer Lovra, OH, F40-44, 12:17:56

Niel Brewer, GA, M50-54, 12:18:24

Pablo Bedano, IN, M35-39, 12:18:50

Rebecca Olszewski, MI, F35-39, 12:19:56

Michael Tucker, Hessen, M50-54, 12:21:13

Andrew Maynor, KY, M40-44, 12:21:17

Keith Thomas, MN, M40-44, 12:22:18

Brian Combs, NC, M35-39, 12:22:57

Jim Deruby, IN, M40-44, 12:23:26

Greg Bowen, AL, M18-24, 12:23:58

Eric Sato, IL, M40-44, 12:24:12

Andrew Hall, OH, M45-49, 12:24:17

Rachel Parrella, IN, F50-54, 12:24:26

Jeff Bredemeier, IN, M30-34, 12:25:03

Clay Leonard, LA, M40-44, 12:26:56

Bruce Schouten, ON, M50-54, 12:26:59 Your product worked well. Thanks.

Matt Schouten, ON, M18-24, 12:27:02

Todd Fleischhauer, ON, M45-49, 12:28:57

Adam Lauderdale, IL, M30-34, 12:29:04

Sacha Veillette, QC, M45-49, 12:29:08

Elizabeth Adkins, FL, F40-44, 12:29:23

J.D. Farquhar, ON, M40-44, 12:30:19

Jeffrey Yanke, IL, M40-44, 12:30:24

Gonzalo Geist Mauro, Argentina, M40-44, 12:30:43

Allen Hutchinson, MI, M40-44, 12:32:37

Linden Ferguson, KY, M35-39, 12:32:50 That stuff really got me thru to the end.

Lee Lockwood, KY, M35-39, 12:33:15

Conrad Schaffer, III, NJ, M45-49, 12:33:56

Jared Bierbaum, IL, M30-34, 12:34:08

Scott Robinson, NY, M45-49, 12:35:16

Wendy Johnson, OH, F45-49, 12:35:54

Paul Clark, KY, M25-29, 12:36:16

Vicki Griffin, KS, F45-49, 12:37:04

Jeremy Feitelson, IA, M40-44, 12:37:18

Tomasz Jankowski, OH, M50-54, 12:37:42

Patrick Carter, FL, M25-29, 12:37:51 I love the product! I def would be interested in ordering the product and using it during longer races/training.

Anthony Jadra, MD, M45-49, 12:38:15

Andrew Unsicker, IL, M35-39, 12:39:22

Joseph Scholz, NY, M30-34, 12:40:13

Nicole Sierra, FL, F30-34, 12:40:15

Jeremy Winter, AL, M18-24, 12:40:33

Jenny Vance, TN, F30-34, 12:40:38

Peter Reavey, NC, M45-49, 12:40:47

John Kilbride, MN, M45-49, 12:40:52

Duffy Smith, IL, M45-49, 12:40:54

Mike Tarrolly, TN, M50-54, 12:42:13

Michael Smith, NJ, M35-39, 12:42:14 I did like the product. Taste was good. Obviously, I thought it worked. Plus, it was pretty easy to use. I had issue taking on my regular product during the run.

Frank Castro, KY, M50-54, 12:42:26

Kyle Duckett, OH, M18-24, 12:43:57

Erin Paris, KY, F30-34, 12:44:25

Elise Hawkins, KY, F25-29, 12:45:20

Matt Lamb, PA, M35-39, 12:45:21

Patty Shoaf, NC, F40-44, 12:45:57

David Dallesandro, NY, M25-29, 12:46:07

Greg Fox, TN, M40-44, 12:46:12

Matthew Reagan, MT, M35-39, 12:46:26

Joana Riddick, TN, F30-34, 12:47:51 I used the base salt and it worked great for me. I didn't know about it until the race expo, so I was planning on taking salt pills, but even in training I was really bad at taking them, I forgot all the time, but with the salt, I got a little bit before each aid station, I liked the salty taste, I think it made easier to remember. I felt great and at the end of the race I was well hydrated and I think the salt helped me stay hydrated the entire race.

Ryan Combest, KY, M35-39, 12:48:09

Brett Miller, NE, M30-34, 12:48:21

Jose Beltran, FL, M35-39, 12:48:29

Joseph Wheatley, KY, M18-24, 12:48:54

Kenneth Mcdaniel, AL, M55-59, 12:50:31

Christopher Coffee, TX, M30-34, 12:50:40 I did like the product. Send me some info!

Kevin Thomas, NC, M40-44, 12:51:09

Adrian Valdivieso, CA, M35-39, 12:51:39

Joanne Cogle, GA, F30-34, 12:51:45 I loved this product. Saved my race and helped me PR by an hour. Only down side was that the box took in water since I was dumping w