Peter and Marty Smith discuss the profound impact OFM (Optimized Fat Metabolism) and VESPA have on fueling. Marty shares her personal journey of transitioning from traditional carbohydrate loading and pre-hydrating to optimizing her foundational physiology which revolutionized her race-day nutrition. 

Through OFM,  strategic use of carbs with Vespa and proper hydration Marty eliminated SIPE by trading ‘carb loading’ for ‘strategic carbs’ and ‘pre-hydrating’ for balanced hydration. This also allowed her to eliminate GI distress and recover faster after races. Marty's success with OFM has allowed her to compete for the podium in her Age Group at the IronMan and 70.3 distances which has led her to compete in her Age Group at the IronMan World Championships in Kona 3 times and soon a 4th time in Nice!

Key Points Discussed:

Fat Adaptation Benefits

Marty highlights the advantages of OFM, discussing how it allows athletes to perform without relying heavily on carbohydrates. She explains how OFM and VESPA help her sustain performance level energy on fewer calories to avoid the infamous "bonk" often experienced by athletes using carb-centric fueling strategies. Additionally, by keeping the external fueling in check from the insane amounts currently being recommended Marty has completely eliminated risk of GI challenges.

Avoiding Pre-Race Greens

Marty brings up a personal experience which the OFM program has long advocated in the final days leading up to a race—avoiding fibrous greens, especially uncooked, non-starchy, fibrous vegetables in the 32 to 48 hours before a race to prevent bloating, discomfort and diarrhea.

Hydration and Salt Strategy

Marty recounts how the common pitfalls of ‘carb loading’, pre-hydrating and salt loading led to a condition called SIPE’s (SIPE= Swimming Induced Pulmonary Effusion) where all that fluid filled her lungs from the inside creating the sensation of drowning!

OFM changes all this by avoiding carb loading and the fluid accumulation associated with glycogen storage with hydration based on fluid loss, thirst and maintaining electrolyte balance to  optimize performance without fluid accumulation or dehydration.

Vespa and Electrolytes for Endurance

Marty details how she uses Vespa for increased fat metabolism and regulates her intake of electrolytes, allowing her to avoid GI distress and perform consistently during long races.

Race Day Strategy

Marty walks through her fueling process, including using Vespa every 2 hours, salt tablets, pacing herself during the race, and knowing when to add small amounts of carbs. This includes a slice of cold pizza in her special needs bag halfway through the bike along with the occasional Maurten gel and adding in swigs of Coke on the run to give her an energy boost to finish strong.

Recovery

Through making that fundamental shift to burning fat as fuel cellular damage is minimized. This  allows athletes like Marty to accelerate their post-race recovery within a day or two through walks, light shakeout runs and other forms of active recovery which helps her bounce back quickly from the physical demands of racing and maintain her level of fitness.

Like other “Triathletes of a Certain Age”, like Kurt Madden, Diane Cridennda, James Hughes, Linda Fraser, all who have made the switch from carb dependency to OFM and VESPA, Marty is not looking back . . . on the contrary, these OFM Athletes are looking forward to training and competing for years to come!