Gu question

[greysgirl]

Sorry if this has been asked before and or if this is a dumb question.

For people that use gu (or other things that are comparable) how do you use it? I just recently started using it and have used it on a few long runs. I generally use it around mile 5 when I am running 10-11 miles. But I was reading somewhere about someone that uses it before they start. Do a lot of people do that? Just wondering what other people do. I can google this but I like real people telling me what they do. Do you only use it if you are running a certain amount of mileage? How often do you take it? Do you use caffeinated ones? So far the only ones I have used haven't had caffeine but I am wondering if the caffeine might help when I am having a sucky run. 

Thanks in advance!

[CallingAllAngels]

I take a gel on run 8 miles or longer. I take them every 4-5 miles. I like the espresso Hammer gels a lot, which do have caffeine. I don't ever take them before I run.

[hannahb]

I use them for runs over 15 miles or races (half marathon or longer). In a half I'll take it around mile 8-9 or the closest water station to that mileage. Sometimes I don't feel like I need it but take it in case. I like the caffeine. It seems to give me a little boost.

[clseale]

I usually only use them on runs longer than 10-11 miles, and I'll take it around the half way point. Runs 15-16+, I'll bring more than one, and take every 5-6 miles. I never take one before my run. Most of the flavors I use, have caffeine.

[enfuego23]

Apr 2, 2014 13:03:20 GMT -5 hannahb said:

I use them for runs over 15 miles or races (half marathon or longer). In a half I'll take it around mile 8-9 or the closest water station to that mileage. Sometimes I don't feel like I need it but take it in case. I like the caffeine. It seems to give me a little boost.

This. 

[greysgirl]

Thanks girls. This is what I thought but then i thought maybe I was doing it wrong!

[Susie]

I use nutrition on runs & rides that exceed 1.5 hour. I use gels when running, and liquid (Hammer Heed) on the bike where I can carry bigger bottles.

On the bike I sip throughout.

When running, if I have individual gel packets, I'll take it around an hour in, if the run is under 2 hrs. If the run is over 2 hrs, I'll take one around 1 hr, and a 2nd around 1:45-2:00.

Somewhat preferable is using gel flasks. That way you can sip the gel rather than taking the whole serving at once. It's also cheaper; I buy a big bottle of Hammer gel and just refill the flask. I add a little water to thin it out.

As far as actual products, Gu vs. Hammer vs. Clif, etc., caffeine v. no caffeine, try them all and see what agrees with you. Buy individual packs of lots of different things until you find what works. It's very "personal preference." Gu doesn't generally sit well w/ me, especially the Roctane ones. I prefer Hammer.

[taratru]

Apr 2, 2014 13:03:20 GMT -5 hannahb said:

I use them for runs over 15 miles or races (half marathon or longer). In a half I'll take it around mile 8-9 or the closest water station to that mileage. Sometimes I don't feel like I need it but take it in case. I like the caffeine. It seems to give me a little boost.

This, exactly.

[lb2006]

Apr 2, 2014 13:03:28 GMT -5 clseale said:

I usually only use them on runs longer than 10-11 miles, and I'll take it around the half way point. Runs 15-16+, I'll bring more than one, and take every 5-6 miles. I never take one before my run. Most of the flavors I use, have caffeine.

This is me, as well.  Besides the caffeine part.

[jamalynn]

I take mine on long runs (over 10 miles) every 4-5 miles and I use the caffeine ones most of the time. I have take them before a race on occasion if I had eaten my banana and almond butter a while ago. Sometimes I just need soemthing more. I think I have done it at 2 races but never before a training run.

[runaways]

I prefer something like sports beans or blocks that I can take more gradually. I only take fuel if I'm running more than 10-11 miles and I usually start taking it early. With sports beans I'll take 1 per mile with an extra occasionally if I'm flagging. With shot blocks, usually 1 every couple miles. I find that it's easier on my stomach that way, and physiologically there's an advantage to front-loading your glucose intake. In something like a marathon, I definitely start to taper off from the fuel as I get into the later miles.

[greysgirl]

Thanks girls, this is all really helpful!

[biomaj5]

I think that I eat more frequently on a long run than most people. Every 3 miles, I will have either gu or 5 sport beans (alternating, usually sport beans at 3, gu at 6, and so on). I've gotten into the habit of eating 4ish bolt chews before a long run as well, but not every time. If I'm running 4 miles, I won't eat anything, and probably not for 6. 6 miles and up, I want fuel. I will eat a gu before I do a sprint session. I'd like to cut down on all of the fuel I take during a run, because it's a lot to carry during a marathon, but I haven't managed to do so effectively yet. I only like the chocolate outrage gu, and cherry or pomegranate sport beans. All have caffeine in them.

I can't eat on the bike yet; or rather, while biking. I have to stop. Idk if that's normal. But I really like the chocolate waffle things for biking. The brand is honey something I think.

[mrshandy]

I use them for long runs over 9-10 miles usually every 40-45 minutes depending on how long the run is. I usually use the caffeinated ones.

I have used them 15 minutes prior to a race before and it worked pretty well so I might try it again.

[gt7301b]

I use gu on 10+ mile runs. On a training run I only use one at about mile 5-6. During races I usually take two at about miles 4 and 8. I don't use them before a race because too much gu gives me a rumbly in my tumbly. I really prefer gummy bears as my training fuel, but Mr. GT eats them if I don't hide them.

[thom]

I like some flavors of gu (salted Carmel, espresso, PB) but I've started trying hammer gels & I think the ones I've tried taste better.

Anyhow, I'm kind of an oddball apparently because I do take a gel at the start of a longer race. Before a marathon or a half I'll eat a small breakfast (banana & water or some Gatorade) then later take one gel just before starting. Then I'll take a gel every hour or so. Usually 3 max during a marathon because eventually I just can't handle any more sweet.

I use less during training, but I do try to take a few on long runs just to get my stomach used to them.

[Deleted]

Apr 2, 2014 13:46:29 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

Apr 2, 2014 13:03:28 GMT -5 clseale said:

I usually only use them on runs longer than 10-11 miles, and I'll take it around the half way point. Runs 15-16+, I'll bring more than one, and take every 5-6 miles. I never take one before my run. Most of the flavors I use, have caffeine.

This is me, as well.  Besides the caffeine part.

Me too, ditto on the no caffeine. 

[lb2006]

I should also add, I'm a SLOW gel eater I usually take Hammer gels and will consume them over a course of a mile or so. Much easier on my stomach!

[sassystace]

Apr 3, 2014 9:42:53 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

I should also add, I'm a SLOW gel eater I usually take Hammer gels and will consume them over a course of a mile or so. Much easier on my stomach!

I'm curious about this...do you just hold it in your hand (opened) and slurp little bits of the gu as you are running that mile?  I would make such a mess.  Do you drink water with it (or after)?

I always do beans or chomps because I can't stomach a big glob of gu at once...

[lb2006]

Apr 3, 2014 10:10:36 GMT -5 sassystace said:

Apr 3, 2014 9:42:53 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

I should also add, I'm a SLOW gel eater I usually take Hammer gels and will consume them over a course of a mile or so. Much easier on my stomach!

I'm curious about this...do you just hold it in your hand (opened) and slurp little bits of the gu as you are running that mile?  I would make such a mess.  Do you drink water with it (or after)?

I always do beans or chomps because I can't stomach a big glob of gu at once...

Yep!  I carry it in my hand for the mile and take a small amount at a time.    Most of my marathon race pics have me with a gel in my hand!

[spunkypenguin]

I have never taken a gel before a race. I usually use them on runs 10+ miles. I start about 1hr in (around the 5mi mark, sometimes not til 6). On a training run, I usually only have one. When running a half, I will have one around mile 5, then again at 9. In the summer, I also threw in some margarita shot blocks around mile 11 and took my gels a little earlier. I prefer the kind with caffeine. My favorite are the Accel Gels - they have a couple grams of protein in them, which I find helps muscle recovery (that could very well be in my head, though). I got a couple samples of Gu at my last race - it's been over a year since I switched to Accel and OMG I can't handle the thickness of Gu anymore...I like a thinner consistency.