“I use the Ketone esters only when I race. (Triathlon). I have been more focused for longer and my recovery after seems to be faster. Percieved excertion is lower when I take the easters.”
“Voodoo magic in a bottle!! I’ve used HVMN before long efforts both flat and mountain and I felt like I had deeper reserves to keep pushing. It’s a little pricey but it works as advertised.”
“HVMN Ketone seemed to have a positive effect on my energy/mental clarity throughout the day. However, for the cost I don't think it's quite worth it. I find B12 supplements to more effective and much cheaper. Also, HVMN Ketone may be the single grossest thing I have ever intentionally consumed. The taste was somewhere between rubbing alcohol and paint thinner.”
“Okay I got my first batch of ketone ester a few weeks ago but at this price point it's a race day only experiment. Foreshadowing...I used my first bottle yesterday for a half-marathon, but I'll get to that in a moment.
I've been in nutritional ketosis for six months now (April 1st 2019 I came down with a bad case of keto flu:)) I've been in it ever since periodically checking blood ketones with keto mojo monitor. While early on I would frequently hit the 2.0-3.5 range over time I've settled into a range of 0.5-1.5, so nothing spectacular. I theorize that I've become efficiently fat adapted and thus my body doesn't over produce ketones anymore.
Coinciding with transition into ketosis I also stepped up my base training for winter marathon...which I am now fully into. Essentially I've consistently exercised 6 days a week since April gradually increasing running distance to 45 miles a week now (will peak around 60). With cross training in the pool.
I live in Houston, TX so summer training is HOT. I did find it took a long time to build endurance on Keto, seemingly longer than before, but I was starting over as I had not run at all in 3 months trying to solve a chronic injury (keto was the solution to that which rest failed to solve...different story though).
Which brings me to HVMN Ketone Ester. All variables are definitely not the same...but
First of all I'm 51 and never ran at all before 45 (team sport kinda guy) but am now hooked. I am recreational but self competitive (goal is Boston Qualifying...just not this year)
10/06: Space City 10 Miler - Temperature 75 degrees and crazy humid
Goal pace this day was merely 8:15...which is faster than my training tempo pace of 8:33
This was a pure keto run...no nutritional supplements other than my electrolyte infused water and salts
3 miles in I already began to falter and by the time I dragged across the finish my average pace had slipped to 8:50! Yikes that's demoralizing.
10/19: Galveston Toughest 10k Bridge Run: Temperature 72 degrees and even more humid...can't catch a weather break!
Goal pace was 8:00 miles...just 2 weeks later but 4 miles shorter. I like running bridges too.
Couldn't justify a $33 bottle of ketone ester for 10k but I did try something new here. I supplemented for 3 days prior with UCANN superstarch to see if I could inject some carbs into the muscles for the race without kicking ketosis (I upped my use of MCT oil to counteract it and was extra careful with all other meals). I was able to maintain above 0.5 throughout.
Result...it was a struggle the last 2 miles but I did finish with an average pace of 7:59...a big improvement but still concerning given the laboring final 2 miles. Temp did suck though.
Which brings me too:
10/28 Houston Half Marathon: Temperature a delightful 52 degrees at start time (so you do have to factor weather into the following) Goal pace was 8:15 (or 1:48:00)
I followed the same protocol as the week before with the exception of adding a bottle of ketone ester 15 minutes before the gun. I did pack a couple of honey stingers for a shot of adrenaline at the end but I did not end up using them. I decided to be aggressive with the weather and hitched my wagon to the 1:45:00 pacer group...there plan was 7:55-8:01 miles.
Through about 6 miles I struggled to keep up but was determined to hold on as long as possible. In the past given the labor involved in staying with the group a fade was eventually inevitable. But around mile 7 something amazing occurred that I have never experienced. My body just went into a zone and suddenly the pace felt relatively easy. I don't have any idea what my ketone levels were during that race and I cannot guarantee what caused it but I felt like I was gliding. Without even trying I slowly began pulling away from the pace group and finished strong with a 1:43:42 time and felt fresh as could be. I could have kept going. That was a 5 minute PR for a half for me.
I now have hope that I can avoid the marathon fade for the first time this winter. There are many factors that go into race day results but I can't help but think it was the Ketone shot that elevated me to running zone in the second half.
I'll run it back out in another 3 weeks for the La Porte Half Marathon Bridge Run (which was my previous race PR).
For the January full I will plan on using two bottles...one pre-race and one at the halfway point. I'll report back then with an update...but I'm a happy camper for now, just too bad it's so expensive. For now it's for special occasions only.”
“HVMN is definitely more effective the longer your endurance activity is. I felt a difference at about 30 minutes into my activity after taking HVM 30 minutes before my activity began. The flavor is getting better but don't expect a strawberry smoothie.”
