Polar Grit X2 Pro Titan
Polar Grit X2 Pro Titan is a rough and rugged outdoor sports watch crafted for adventure with sapphire glass AMOLED display in titanium casing, and a hi-tech toolkit of navigation and performance features for exploring the wonders of the world, and the body.
Polar Grit X2 Pro
Polar Grit X2 Pro is a rough and rugged outdoor sports watch crafted for adventure with sapphire crystal glass AMOLED display, and a hi-tech toolkit of navigation and performance features for exploring the wonders of the world, and the body.
Polar Vantage V3
An ensemble of biosensing instruments, AMOLED display, dual-frequency GPS, maps, and the most comprehensive suite of training and recovery tools on the market. The stage is set, and the Polar Vantage V3 smart sports watch is ready to put in the performance of a lifetime.
Polar Ignite 3
Polar Ignite 3 is a stylish fitness & wellness watch that helps you live a more energized life. It tracks your sleep, activity, and heart rate to provide guidance that’s tailored to your body and lifestyle.
Polar Pacer Pro
Polar Pacer Pro is an ultra-light, new-generation sports watch with integrated barometer that equips athletes with advanced tools to improve running economy, training sessions, and sports performance.
Polar Pacer
Sport is play – why complicate it? Polar Pacer is a no-nonsense sports watch that gives new athletes all the essentials, plus the specialized training tools they need to train better.
Polar Vantage V2
A powerful convergence of minimalist design, innovative technology, and intelligent training and recovery tools makes the Polar Vantage V2 a formidable sports watch.
Polar Grit X Pro
Built for military-level durability with sapphire glass and ultra-long battery, equipping you with new navigation tools, always-on outdoor features and Polar's ultimate training solutions.
Polar Vantage M2
Designed for function, the Polar Vantage M2 works as hard as you do. Our industry-leading technology is here to help you reach your goals and come back stronger. For that athlete attitude.
Polar Ignite 2
A fitness watch that’s sleek, simple and smart? Polar Ignite 2 is a true triple threat. Versatile and full of great features, it’s the perfect companion for any sport and any lifestyle.
Polar Ignite
A waterproof fitness watch with advanced wrist-based heart rate and integrated GPS, Polar Ignite offers you a full view of your day and guides you towards a more balanced life.
Polar Unite
A beautifully simple watch with personalized daily workout guidance, 24/7 heart rate and activity tracking, plus automatic sleep and recovery applications.
Polar Vantage V
Polar Vantage M
An all-round multisport & running GPS watch for anyone who loves setting new records. Polar Vantage M is a slim, lightweight training companion that gives you all the data you need to improve your performance.
Polar Grit X
An outdoor multisport watch with rugged yet lightweight design, ultra-long battery life and military-standard durability for anyone who prefers the trails over the roads.
Polar M430
A GPS running watch with wrist-based heart rate, advanced running features and Polar Running Program, Polar M430 is a top-level watch for runners who want more.
Polar Verity Sense
When freedom of movement is important to you, Polar Verity Sense is your go-to choice for any sport.
Polar H10
Widely regarded as the gold standard in wireless heart rate monitoring, this is the most accurate sensor in Polar’s history.
Polar H9
A reliable, high-quality heart rate chest strap for all your everyday sports with Bluetooth® and ANT+ connectivity. Get connected and get going.
Polar OH1+
Polar OH1+ is an optical heart rate monitor that combines versatility, comfort and simplicity. You can use it both as a standalone device and pair it with various fitness apps, sports watches and smart watches, thanks to Bluetooth® and ANT+ connectivity.
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Polar Grit X Outdoor Series
Made for outdoor sports and built to handle any environment nature can throw at you, Grit X watches are designed to help you explore the world and gear up for adventure.
Polar Vantage Performance Series
Our flagship series is tailored for high-performance and endurance sports and training. Every aspect of our Vantage watches are designed with one particular person in mind – the athlete.
Polar Pacer Multisport Series
The Pacer Series gives athletes all the essentials such as accurate GPS and precise heart rate tracking, plus the specialized training, sleep, and recovery tools they need to train better.
Polar Ignite Fitness & Wellness Series
Sleek, simple, and smart – Ignite watches are the perfect partner for any fitness goals and any lifestyle.
What Do Ultrarunners Eat?
Author(s): Eduardo Alonso
Ultrarunners are known for their incredible endurance, pushing their bodies to the limit as they tackle mind-boggling distances and navigate treacherous trails. These modern-day adventures take grit, determination, and… a fabulous amount of calories. What fuels these superhuman feats?
We caught up with record-breaking ultrarunner Karel Sabbe to uncover the culinary choices fueling his unprecedented feat: completing the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail faster than anyone in history. Let's dive into the unconventional menu that powered this extraordinary achievement.
During your record-breaking Pacific Crest Trail run, what did your daily menu plan look like?
For breakfast, I usually had some quick oats or sandwiches with Nutella or jam that my crew had prepared for me. This way, I could start eating as I started hiking straight away. From that moment on, I tried to eat as much as possible, but that is often not that easy. In the beginning, I was so happy to have an "all-you-can-eat" diet all the time, but after a couple of weeks, my crew and friends running sections of the trail with me had to ask more and more often, "Shouldn't you be eating something now?" Before long, they would start saying, "Eat this now, Karel."
Many days, I thought it would be nice to have a larger meal for lunch. That would have given the feeling of a normal routine, but most days I would be eating while hiking. At the end of the day, I had a proper dinner as quickly as possible so I could go to bed as soon as possible.
I understand you occasionally enjoyed some Belgian specialties that aren't readily available in the US. Could you tell us about these unique treats?
That would be mashed potatoes with lots of butter. Also, sausage with potatoes and apple sauce. Americans, however, couldn't understand my choice of dessert: peaches with tuna. I just love the sweetness of peaches combined with some salt and protein. Very delicious.
What was the strangest meal you had?
Judging by everyone's reactions, I'd say the most surprising dish I had was definitely the peaches with tuna. But I'd recommend everyone try and taste this dessert. The recipe is easy. All you need to do is mix canned tuna with mayonnaise, pepper and salt. Then, mix in the peaches. It's deliciously refreshing!
"Judging by everyone's reactions, I'd say the most surprising dish I had was definitely the peaches with tuna. But I'd recommend everyone try and taste this dessert". - Karel Sabbe
While running, do you find yourself craving any particular foods? Are there moments on the trail when thoughts of a post-run feast help you keep going?
Yes, at first, anything that was carbohydrate-based. I'd crave candy, Snickers bars, M&M's, things like that. That shifted into more fatty things after a couple of weeks: pizza, hamburgers, potato chips... It didn't matter if the food was fresh/hot or already cold.
Besides all the greasy food, fatty meals, and sweet carbs, how was your protein intake? Are you a meat eater, or do you follow a more plant-based diet?
At home, I hardly eat any meat, but during something like the PCT challenge, you start craving it. Plus, it’s often very complicated to find plant-based alternatives in the rural areas where my crew has to resupply. You can find a lot of alternatives in cities like San Francisco or New York, but finding them in small village grocery stores can be difficult.
2,650 miles, 46 days
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail that runs from the U.S.-Mexico border in California to the U.S.-Canada border in Washington state. Spanning approximately 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers), it traverses a diverse range of landscapes, including the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Range, and numerous national forests and wilderness areas.
Established in 1968, the PCT is one of America's National Scenic Trails and is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, challenging terrain, and the sense of adventure it offers to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt to "thru-hike" the entire trail, typically taking 4-6 months to complete the journey. The PCT has gained increased popularity in recent years, partly due to books and films that have featured the trail, such as Cheryl Strayed's memoir "Wild."
In 2023, Karel Sabbe broke the fastest known time (FTK) record and completed the distance in 46 days 12 hours and 50 minutes.
Do you focus on nutrition while training? Do you prepare for a fat-based diet so that fat becomes your primary energy source?
Yes, I do train my digestive system by eating during my training sessions. Sometimes, I plan and do it on purpose, like eating a greasy meal in the middle of a long run. This way, I get my body used to how blood flow is diverted to the digestive system instead of the muscles. I'd then follow up a greasy meal with some candy so I would experience less of a dip after the meal. It's interesting to see how well you can train your digestive system! It's important not to forget about this aspect of training.
After one month on the road, running non-stop, how do you go back to a regular diet? Do you suffer from sugar withdrawal symptoms?
I did drink over 500 cans of soda during the PCT, so there is some withdrawal in the sense that you've lost a lot of weight and your body is hungry all the time and is craving a lot of food constantly. After my first PCT run back in 2016, I just followed what my body was "asking": the result was gaining 14 kilos in only a couple of weeks (weighing more than I ever had at that time). Since then, I limit myself to two weeks of eating whatever I crave, but after those two weeks, I force myself to eat healthy again and resist the cravings I have that aren't necessary anymore.
Finally, being a dentist yourself, were you very concerned about getting cavities?
For sure I was! I brought specific toothpaste with more fluoride than usual, and I would rinse with a fluoride rinse before going to bed. It helps, of course, to brush well and to hardly consume any sugar or soda when I'm not trying to set a world record.
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