Post by spunkypenguin on Jan 20, 2014 20:34:22 GMT -5
I really like the Accel Gels - they are a little more expensive than Gu, but have some protein that I think helps with recovery...they are also thinner and go down a little easier. In warmer months, I also use Margarita Shot Blocks near the end to help with cramping.
I'm doing Whole30 now and plan to stay pretty paleo through this training cycle. I used a larabar on my first 10mi this weekend..chewing while running is hard - I'm going to have to experiment with other non-gel fuels
I love shot blocks. Specifically the cran-razz ones. I can't do the margarita ones (although a lot of people really like them). I have tried gu, honey stingers, chomps, etc. and really prefer shot blocks over anything else.
It's trial and error. Good luck finding what works for you.
Gu's for me. I like the the vanilla and chocolate flavors. I hate chewing things while I run so gels works for me. FWIW - I think a lot of people over use fuel.
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I use the above mentioned strategy more for long training runs and marathon racing, where I want to front load my glucose intake. It tends to drop off some later because I just don't feel like taking anything.
I also front load mine for my marathons. They actually say that your body loses it's ability to appropriately utilize the glucose in the later miles, & they suggest you front load a bit. I might still be figuring a lot of stuff out, but I have nailed my fueling.
I can't stand the consistency of Gu's, the gatorade chews don't work well for me, but I LOVE the sports beans. I usually do a half pack before I start and the other half when I am about half way done with some water. However, my running partner can not tolerate the beans well because she is very sensitive to caffeine. I think it really just depends on the person IMO.
I like any/all of the chews I've tried. I mostly use Clif Shot Bloks or Gu Chomps, but the Honey Stingers are also good. Clif Shot margarita flavor are great in the summer. They have extra salt. Jelly Belly sport beans are ok, but not my favorite.
I'm pickier about gels. I like Gu (peanut butter, chocolate, mint chocolate, vanilla bean) and Clif shots (vanilla and chocolate). The fruit flavors are gross to me for some reason.
This is my go to flavor in the summer I hate Gu, I always do chews of some sort, generally Shot Bloks.
I like carbo pro and electrolyte fuel systems (EFS). I prefer to drink rather than chew or down a nasty gel.
How does EFS compare to say Nuun. I prefer to drink too. I have a hard time with chewing and gels gag me. I need to figure something out for my full.
Nuun does not have many calories. 7 I think per tab. EFS has 96 per serving. On my 12 mile run the other day I had one serving per 8oz bottle. You'd have to down a lot of Nuun to get in calories. I think as far as electrolytes go they are similar.
I hate any of the fruity stuff. I use peanut butter, chocolate, or salted caramel Gu. My SS sent me an orange Gu, which I haven't tried yet but it might actually be tolerable to me because I like citrus-y stuff. But the berry ones...vom.
I tried the cherry lime and it was ok flavor wise. The consistency left much to be desired.
I'm a big fan of the Honey Stinger chews too. The cherry cola is really good. I would get some individual packs from Dick's and try them out during your long runs to see what works. I also run with gatorade.
Post by mrsjthompson on Jan 21, 2014 13:17:54 GMT -5
Ditto on the Honey Stinger chews. I like the cherry blossom ones. I also like the Gu chomps (watermelon - yum!), but I think they are kinda big and I have to bite them. But my tummy is less swishy if I alternate with real food on longer runs. I like pretzels. I also drink nuun for hydration along with water.
Chocolate GU. I take one about every 7 miles (if I'm doing 10 or more). In the summer or when I'm doing really high miles, I'll have a nuun before or bring it with me. I water it down a lot. And don't take it when I'm taking a GU.
I sweat like a mofo in the summer and need all the help I can get. I get really ill when I don't fuel right.
Post by Raggedeannie on Jan 21, 2014 22:16:05 GMT -5
I'm still experimenting with fuel but a friend pointed out that Gu flavors are not one in the same and have varying levels of caffeine. Espresso love and Jet Blackberry have a double dose; orange, chocolate, vanilla, and others have a single dose; some of the fruity flavors have none. And salted caramel has both caffeine and electrolytes.
Post by blndsnbrdr on Jan 22, 2014 13:22:17 GMT -5
I hate the texture of gels...so I squeeze one or two into a handheld water bottle, shake it up and drink it. It actually works really well for me. In the 50K I ran I just added to gels at the end of every 10 mile loops, topped it off with water and was set to go. Its the only way I can get gels down!
I'm also going to play with EFS this spring for longer races, we'll see...
Otherwise I get to eat a lot of random food at the aid stations -- huge win for ultras! M&Ms, potato chips, pb&j, oreos, fruit, mashed potatoes, etc. (maybe a major reason ultras are appealing...)
Hi all - I hope you don't mind me jumping right in... I'm training for my first marathon right now, and I like the Powerade chews but I don't know how often I should take them! If you take in the chews for your fuel, how often are you eating them? And do you supplement them with anything else?
I probably take in fuel a lot less often than most people do, but about once every hour for me and wash it down with plain water. I really am not convinced that your body utilizes the fuel you take in while running so I am mostly fueling because: #1 - I get hungry #2 - it gives me something to do/look forward to #3 - just in case I'm wrong and really do need those extra couple hundred calories during a long run/race
I'm in the UK, so I don't have access to the same brands, but I use Sports in Science gels which you don't need water for. They sit well in my gut.
I tried sports beans recently and thank goodness I wasn't running very far. I felt ill, like stomach ache kind of ill. But some people love them.
Pre long run or race, I always have a banana and some 100% peanut butter. (Spoon it on each time I bite the banana). I don't know why, but every time I run well.
I suggest you try whatever you fancy and make note of what works. Everyone is different.