Mandatory fare

Local Grand Traverse racers’ food for thought

The Elk Mountains Grand Traverse is a grueling backcountry skiing race that tests competitors to the max. This year’s event on March 26-27 will be no different, and according to Race Director Jan Runge, “So far the course looks good.”

But conditions are just one component. Staying fueled for the entire race is important as training and the equipment you’re on. Choosing the proper food has a learning curve and is an exercise in both logic and discipline. Runge said she told first-time competitor Ella Fahrlander to “go to Maxwell’s and eat steak Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and then switch to pasta on Wednesday.”
Prep is one thing, but what racers eat on the trail can be the difference between bonking and stomping the competition. The mandatory equipment list on the Grand Traverse website directs competitors to adhere to the following rules regarding food and water:
Water and Food: Racers must carry ample food and water for 24 hours. 100-oz minimum water. Aid stations will have limited food supplies that should be supplemental only! DO NOT rely on aid stations for water!
Most of the athletes won’t disclose all their race-day secrets for eating on the go, but several offered up some tips and the tools in their food cache.
Bryan Wickenhauser has finished 11 Grand Traverses and is competing on Team C.A.M.P. Crested Butte for this year’s event. “Along with training, eating and drinking are the most important things,” Wickenhauser said. “Whatever sport you’re doing, you’ve got to be using that food or equipment before-hand.”
And it’s not easy to eat under physical duress in harsh weather conditions, which are common during the race. “It’s usually pretty cold out at times—it’s dark, and you’re trying to figure out what will actually taste good,” Wickenhauser said. “And the last thing you want to do is eat, especially the stretch from the Friends Hut to the Barnard Hut. It’s a tough time to eat, the wind is ripping at you, and it’s cold. In the winter you don’t want something that freezes like a Clif bar or Powerbar. If you do, carry it close to your body so it prevents it from getting hard and cold.”
Wickenhauser said the last thing you want to do is experiment with new food during the race, because you don’t know how your body will react to it.
“What is my stomach used to eating?” he asked. “I grew up on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. That’s what I’m using this year! You gotta eat real food along the way. A sandwich like that is almost a no-brainer. Good to have a can of Coke or a Red Bull… a little carbonation is good for your belly, that’s my belief anyways. I’ll probably eat two GU’s, one sandwich and a Coke. And maybe some chocolate covered pretzels… I do like the combination of salty and sweet.”
Crested Butte Mountain Resort Professional Ski Patroller Ethan Passant is racing for the second time this year with partner Travis Scheefer.
“Of course I can’t give away all my secrets,” Passant said of his race-fuel mixture. “Mostly it’s things that are palatable and easy to eat. I like four to five packs of GU, a couple different sports bars, maybe a Red Bull, a canned coffee drink, and a couple packets of Vespa.” Passant described Vespa as “an amino acid that allows me to burn my stored body fat so my blood sugar levels stay more level.”
Pat O’Neill has raced in all 13 Grand Traverses. “I’ve won three and placed top three in nine races,” O’Neill said. “My prep is—what I’ve been hitting hard—the bacon Hurley at the Gas Café.
“The thing to avoid is the frozen Powerbar,” O’Neill added. “I think the ticket is the mini-pecan-pie from True Value with a Starbucks Double Shot coffee. I’m usually too tired to want to chew anything solid. I definitely like coffee products.”
Two-time competitor Rebecca Dussault won’t be racing this year but had some insight to offer as well. “I just do bite-sized pocket stuff like Clif Blocks and pretzels and Peanut M&M’s… and Red Bull.” Dussault said her husband snowmobiled up to the top of Taylor Pass and camped in a tree well just so he could hand her a cup of hot chocolate at the top of the pass. Now that’s support.
Other popular race supplements suggested off the record included Ensure, breakfast sausage with maple syrup, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and Grand Marnier.