What is a long distance drink?

When we talk about endurance, we often think about training and effort management... but hydration is just as crucial! If you're running a half marathon, a marathon, or even an ultra, you've probably heard of long-distance drinks. But what exactly are we talking about? A simple bottle of water, an energy drink, or a miracle solution? We'll explain everything to help you understand what a long-distance energy drink is .

Definition of a long-distance drink

A long-distance drink is much more than just a water bottle ! It's a beverage specially formulated to meet the needs of athletes engaged in prolonged exercise. Its goal? To maintain hydration, compensate for electrolyte losses, and provide a constant supply of energy.

Composition of a long-distance drink

An effective endurance drink typically contains:
• Water: to stay hydrated and compensate for losses through perspiration.
• Carbohydrates: to maintain energy intake (e.g. maltodextrin, fructose, but also sometimes glucose).
• Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium): to avoid cramps and maintain water balance.
• Sometimes BCAAs or vitamins: to support muscular effort and delay fatigue.

In short, a good long-distance drink is important, so why not choose the Blackbelt long-distance drink, which is simply the best , and you just have to read the product page to see it!

Why use a long distance drink?

Drinking only water during prolonged exercise can lead to low energy, electrolyte imbalances, and even dehydration. Here's why a long-distance drink is essential

Maintain hydration for several hours

When you sweat, you lose water and minerals. Without adequate intake, your body can experience a deficiency, which directly impacts your endurance and performance.

Avoid hypoglycemia

As the miles go by, your glycogen stores (the energy stored in your muscles) diminish. A carbohydrate-rich long-distance drink helps maintain a steady supply and avoid the infamous "wall" of fatigue.

Prevent cramps and digestive disorders

A good endurance drink replenishes electrolyte losses, reducing the risk of cramps. It is also formulated to be easily digestible and well assimilated by the body, like the Blackbelt long-distance drink.

How to choose the right long-distance drink?

Not all sports drinks are created equal. Here are some key criteria for making the right choice:

Adapt your drink to the duration of the effort

• Effort < 1h30: water alone may be enough, or even a slightly mineralized drink. Opt for our electrolyte drink
• Effort between 1h30 and 3h: choose a drink containing carbohydrates and electrolytes, if there are BCAAs it’s a plus.
• Effort > 3h: a complete drink with varied carbohydrates (glucose + fructose), electrolytes and possibly amino acids (BCAA) which are essential!

Check the carbohydrate concentration

A drink that is too sweet can cause digestive problems. The ideal is a concentration between 4 and 8 g of carbohydrates per 100 ml. But above all, a maximum of different carbohydrate sources to optimize its assimilation. Most "long distance" drinks offer you 2 sources of sugars, at Blackbelt it's 3 because it is truly optimal. The 2 best being maltodextrin and fructose. But did you know that by varying the quality Maltodextrins you can obtain a third source of carbohydrates with an even different assimilation time, this is the choice of Blackbelt to offer you even more efficiency! Discover this in more detail on the product sheet of our Blackbelt long distance drink .

We hope that at this point you now know what a good long distance drink is.

Test before the race

Every athlete reacts differently. It's crucial to test your endurance drink during training to avoid any unpleasant surprises on the day.

Preparation of the long distance drink:

Mix all the ingredients in a bottle and shake well. You've got a natural and effective drink for your long rides!

Conclusion: this is what a long distance drink is!

A long-distance drink is a key element of endurance performance. It helps maintain hydration, compensate for electrolyte losses and provide continuous energy . When chosen and used correctly, it will help you go the distance without fatigue. Stay hydrated and have a good run with Blackbelt "long-distance" drinks.