Gel and Bananas - Eating during a triathlon

Now my weight has dropped below 60 kilograms (132 pounds).  This is even less than what I weighed when I was 16 years old. 

I try to eat as much as possible, but with all the cycling and swimming and running and work,  I just seem to be getting thinner and weaker.

This evening before the spin class I purchase a "Bento Box" - a clever little bike pack that attaches to the top tube and handle bar stem.   My  biggest eating challenge to date is not eating enough during long bicycle rides.   My food has been inaccessible during my rides - in a little pack under my bike seat.  Also, it is hard to peal a banana with gloves on while riding a bicycle.  On top of that, I am accustomed to much shorter workouts and races -- typically an hour or less - so eating is something I don't even think about.

At an ironman I will be competing for well over 12 hours, so I better be ready to be eating every 30 minutes or so.   According to the New Zealand Race Manual I will be provided with bananas, cookies, Pro4 bars, Pro4 gels, water, Pro4 electrolyte fluid, and Coca Cola.

I am not familiar with the Pro4 brand.  Fortunately though gels are remarkably popular in Japan, so I know my stomach can handle them.  In the US, sports bars are common, but gels seemed to only be available at sporting good stores.  The Japan market prefers the gels - they are cleaner and more portable - and I have been able to find them at all the ubiquitous convenient stores.

After the spin class  tonight I immediately eat a banana.   Then I pick up some sushi and spinach at the supermarket.  After this, I am no longer hungry, but for good measure consume a few bowls of my favorite dinner - Apple Jacks breakfast cereal.