Fueling during long runs

[stephm0188]

I'm not there yet but it's something I need to start thinking about within the next few weeks as my distance and time increase.

What do you like/dislike and when are you using it? 

[wambam]

*sits down here*

This is something I need to learn about in the next month or so.

[al320]

I use gu, every 5-6 miles.

[shorewife]

For running I use GU as well. I find anything that I have to actually chew is too difficult for me to get down when I'm breathing hard.

[wambam]

Sept 2, 2015 13:36:14 GMT -5 al320 said:

I use gu, every 5-6 miles.

How many miles minimum before you use it? Like, obvs you're not fueling for only 5 miles, so what's the threshold?

[brooke77]

Personally, I use fuel for anything over 10 miles. I use Tailwind.

I dislike Gatorade/PowerAde. They kill my stomach.

[al320]

Sept 2, 2015 13:50:48 GMT -5 wambam said:

Sept 2, 2015 13:36:14 GMT -5 al320 said:

I use gu, every 5-6 miles.

How many miles minimum before you use it? Like, obvs you're not fueling for only 5 miles, so what's the threshold?

Usually over 12 or so

[skwcm80]

I take a swig of Tailwind ever 3-4 miles for runs over 12. Under that I stop and drink water but I have Gu just in case.

[clseale]

This is going to be as individual as shoes. With that said, I use powerbar gels. They're much thinner than a lot of the other gels & (imo) much easier to get down.

[venice2007]

GU or vega gel. I use fuel for 12 miles or more but always carry one just incase 8 or more miles but have only used it once.
For 12 or more I take it every 4-5 miles.

[irene adler]

I love shot blocks with caffeine--I can't stand the texture of most gu (although water makes it better)

It took a bunch of trial and error to find my perfect mix.

I usually only fuel for runs longer than 10, but will carry some if I'm going more than 8.

And Gatorade can kiss my ass. It does vile things to my stomach

[cinco]

This is one of those things that everyone does a little differently. It also evolves as you run more. I only fuel if I'm running for longer than 2 hours. In those cases I take a Powerbar gel every 45 minutes. I sip water every 2-5 miles in any distance. That is a pretty large range, but it depends on the weather, if I am carrying a hand held, if I drank the night before, etc. I still ended up a bit dehydrated on my last long run, with tell tale signs of a side cramp and a headache the rest of the day. I'm still learning what works best for me and it has been 7 years.

[gt7301b]

I usually have two water bottles in my fuel belt, around 10 miles or so I use double strength tailwind in one of them. I also always keep an emergency gu in the pocket of my fuel belt cause even though Tailwind sits pretty well with me sometimes I'm just over it on longer runs.

On shorter, but hot, runs I fill one of the bottles with Nuun.

I like plain chewy candies too (lifesavers, gummy bears), but those have a way of disappearing from my house.

[itsme]

I fuel at around the 6 miles mark if I will be running 8-13. I find that the 6 mile mark is when I need a boost. I usually use half a thing of Gu and either take a little here and there as I run or take the second half at 45 mins after. I have been using Shot Blocks or other chews similar if I stop during a run (usually only stop on trail runs due to hills) but not while actually running because I choke on it (learned the hard way during a 10k).

[taratru]

For training, I only fuel if I'm going over 15. I use Gu or Vfuel at 7-ish and 15.

For racing marathons, I fuel at 7-ish, 15-ish, 21-ish and maybe again before 24. I say "ish" because it depends on where the water stops are.

In the past, I've also used raisins, cheezits, and shot blocks.

eta:  I sometimes use a Gu in a half if they're provided on course, but otherwise, only fuel during fulls.

[CallingAllAngels]

I fuel every 45-60 minutes for runs longer than 90 minutes. I use either Hammer Gels or Gu.

[Wines Not Whines]

I've experimented with a lot of different things over the years. I prefer gummy-type chewy things, including Clif Shot Bloks, Honey Stinger chews, and actual gummy candy, especially swedish fish. Certain flavors of Gu are ok - I hate the fruit flavored ones, but I like PB, PB Chocolate, chocolate and vanilla. I also love to eat salty things like pretzels during a long, hot run, but those are harder to carry with me.

I plan to take fuel if I'm running 8-10 miles or longer, but I eat very little (or nothing) before early morning runs, so I tend to need it earlier than other people.

[cinco]

Wines reminded me that I am planning on trying out some real food on my trail race.

Pretzels and Swedish fish, any other suggestions? What do you guys do during ultra races and relays?

[moreace01]

I started to write this and then realized I'm all over the place and don't really have a coherent plan.

Normally I take a GU every 45 minutes or so. They are quick to take. The non-fruit flavors. I can't do beans or whatever - too much chewing and I would need to take the whole package anyway. Takes too long.

My long weekend runs for marathon training have gatorade stops, so I use those. DO NOT take gatorade and any other fuel source at the same time. Bad things happen... Also, gatorade aversely affects some people. If I take too much, it gives me heartburn (and I like to think I have an iron stomach).

Lately, I've been rolling out of bed and running. When I do that, I sort of treat GU as part of breakfast. I'm disgusting, I know it. But its fast...and I'm not a morning person. I take a spoonful of peanut butter and a piece of chocolate minutes before my run then take a GU around the 2 or 4 mile mark.

[taratru]

Sept 2, 2015 15:16:27 GMT -5 cinco said:

Wines reminded me that I am planning on trying out some real food on my trail race.

Pretzels and Swedish fish, any other suggestions? What do you guys do during ultra races and relays?

M&Ms, potato chips

[venice2007]

Oh and when I take my gel
Or gu I take half at a time

[mrshandy]

I've settled into this routine after lots of experimenting and it works for me.

Under 10 - nothing
11-14- GU and water or Gatorade if its hot
14-26 - tailwind and water, with an emergency GU

[emilyj]

If you all wouldn't mind dumbing this down a little more for me...how do you figure this, time-wise? For runs longer than X minutes, you fuel? What does X typically tend to be around for you all?

Let's be honest. 6 takes me about 1:15 on a good day, so if I'm going to fuel, I'm guessing it's going to be at lower miles than most of you.

i hate figuring out fueling.

[taratru]

Sept 2, 2015 18:15:20 GMT -5 emilyj said:

If you all wouldn't mind dumbing this down a little more for me...how do you figure this, time-wise? For runs longer than X minutes, you fuel? What does X typically tend to be around for you all?

Let's be honest. 6 takes me about 1:15 on a good day, so if I'm going to fuel, I'm guessing it's going to be at lower miles than most of you.

i hate figuring out fueling.

Hm...I never really thought of it in terms of time.  But I guess in a race I take fuel about every hour?  

[mrshandy]

Sept 2, 2015 18:15:20 GMT -5 emilyj said:

If you all wouldn't mind dumbing this down a little more for me...how do you figure this, time-wise? For runs longer than X minutes, you fuel? What does X typically tend to be around for you all?

Let's be honest. 6 takes me about 1:15 on a good day, so if I'm going to fuel, I'm guessing it's going to be at lower miles than most of you.

i hate figuring out fueling.

So the GU instructions say if you're going to run 1:30 then to fuel every 45 minutes. I follow this for the most part, when using GU.

[stephm0188]

Thanks guys, you've been helpful! I'll try a few things and see what works.

[Wines Not Whines]

Sept 2, 2015 18:15:20 GMT -5 emilyj said:

If you all wouldn't mind dumbing this down a little more for me...how do you figure this, time-wise? For runs longer than X minutes, you fuel? What does X typically tend to be around for you all?

Let's be honest. 6 takes me about 1:15 on a good day, so if I'm going to fuel, I'm guessing it's going to be at lower miles than most of you.

i hate figuring out fueling.

I prefer to eat small quantities more often. So, starting around 40-45 minutes into my run, I'll eat a shot blok or something similarly sized about every 20 minutes.

[Wines Not Whines]

Sept 2, 2015 15:16:27 GMT -5 cinco said:

Wines reminded me that I am planning on trying out some real food on my trail race.

Pretzels and Swedish fish, any other suggestions? What do you guys do during ultra races and relays?

My favorites so far are Swedish fish, orange candy slices, pretzels, and cheez-its. Chocolate gets melty in the summer. I like to eat bananas too, but that only works if it's offered at a food station, because you can't really carry it with you.

[cinco]

All these answers are making me want candy. orange candy slices, skittles, yum!

[skwcm80]

Sept 2, 2015 19:25:21 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Sept 2, 2015 19:08:12 GMT -5 cinco said:

All these answers are making me want candy. orange candy slices, skittles, yum!

Skittles may as well be a sponsor of Ragnar. Right skwcm80?

Pretty much!