This is one of 500+ pictures shot from the bow of my Sea Wind canoe during this year Missouri River 340 Race. It was early during the first day of the race with sky still cloudy.

I used a waterproof Pentax Optio W30 mounted with the Sticky Pod suction cup on a front deck. The camera was set to shoot in an interval (time lapse) mode – a medium quality picture every 4 minutes. I was hoping to cover the entire race, but the battery went dead after 36 hours since I forgot to turn a camera flash off. It wasn’t a fun to be blinded by a flash every 4 minutes during night time paddling.

I posted more about my photography during 2010 MR340 race in Paddling with a Camera blog. I am also adding some pictures to my stock photography website (available to order as prints or digital download).

Hydration

I was drinking mostly water with Camelbak electrolyte tablets + two Hammer Endurolytes capsules every hour or so. No typical energy or power drink except 3 bottles of Ensure Plus per day and some Starbucks DoubleShots for dessert. I had a lot of semi real food during this race. After all it was a paddling from one barbecue (aka checkpoint) to another. No stomach problems!

I was paddling self supported this year. I didn’t use any ice during the race. I was just buying a cold water at checkpoints. The cooler weather of late August was great.

My drinking during Texas Water Safari used to be quite different, more “race oriented”, and included some energy and recovery drinks, but always more diluted than recommended. And, I always had more or less serious stomach upsets.

What is your hydration experience from ultra marathon paddling races?