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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* The way Vespa is used may result in indirect performance improvements. Vespa recommends a much lower level of calorie intake when using the Vespa than is common in ultra-endurance events. It may be that athletes that use Vespa may consume a more effective level of fueling that promotes better performance.
=Testing Vespa=
I did a simple trial of Vespa using two runs, one with Vespa and one with a placebo. I had my son make up two electrolyte drinks, each with 3/4 teaspoon of salt and two packets of sugar free flavoring in 64 ounces of water. In one he added 2 packets of Vespa and the other 10g honey. Each packet of Vespa contains 5g of Honey and I wanted to eliminate any impact that might come from the carbohydrates. This proved to be important as there was slight taste of honey detectable in both cases even with the flavoring. At the time of the run I'd been on a ketogenic diet, with blood ketones at or above 1.0 mmol/liter for more than four weeks. On each run I took half the drink 45 minutes before running, then the remainder at the half way point of the marathon distance. I drank other fluids to thirst, but had no other calories. This protocol matches the recommendations on the Vespa web site that states "For most marathoners it is recommended that one VESPA is taken 45 minutes prior to the race and another at the half marathon mark". Each run was performed in the morning on a treadmill set to 8:00 min/mile pace and a 4% decline. The treadmill is in a garage, so temperature and humidity was high, but similar in both cases.
==Blood metrics==
The samples below were taken using a [http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/dp/B000N64MZA Precision Xtra meter] and [http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Xtra-Blood-Ketone-Strips/dp/B001EL30TM ketone strips], a [http://www.amazon.com/TRUEResult-Blood-Glucose-Starter-Kit/dp/B002CGT08S TRUEresult meter] and [http://www.amazon.com/TRUEtest-Test-Strips-100-Count/dp/B002CGT09M glucose strips], and a ReliOn 741CREL blood pressure meter. I stopped running to obtain the measurements at the half way point, which took a similar amount of time on each test. Two blood glucose samples were taken at each point to counter inaccuracy of glucose testing. The variation between the two tests is within what I would consider random variation. The blood ketone level is slightly lower in the Vespa test, which might indicate slightly less fat burning, but both tests indicate ongoing ketosis.
