The Running Thread Vol 2
Discussion
Gels are basically a quick way of getting energy in. It's a lot easier to swallow a mouthful of goo in a race than it is chewing on Oreos or whatever that dry out your mouth, mean you then need to have a drink, choke a bit on the crumbs when you try to breathe and chew at the same time.
Others use jelly babies or other high sugar stuff as gels and basically liquid versions of those. Are they snake oil, maybe, but I can see the logic of keeping your energy levels topped up.
Personally I use bars as they are tastier but on a race I still use gels as they are more convenient. Too many give me the s
ts though so on a marathon I alternate between a gel and a bar every 5 miles.
Others use jelly babies or other high sugar stuff as gels and basically liquid versions of those. Are they snake oil, maybe, but I can see the logic of keeping your energy levels topped up.
Personally I use bars as they are tastier but on a race I still use gels as they are more convenient. Too many give me the s
ts though so on a marathon I alternate between a gel and a bar every 5 miles.Edited by KTF on Friday 16th September 09:39
I'm a fan of gels myself. They aren't a superpowered magic, they're just fuel for your muscles. Different brands seem to cause gut issues but I've found ones that work for me. And calories for weight I don't think there's anything more effective out there.
As Ewen said though, now is not the time to be messing around with something new.
As Ewen said though, now is not the time to be messing around with something new.
Big fan of gels here as well, particularly the High 5 Isogels that are really thin and go down without water.
I'm with the forum consensus that it's probably too late now to start dabbling with them, but worth using next time in a half marathon. I'm going to buck the trend where I even use them in hard 10k races, where the sugar can often be a welcome pick-me-up when the going gets tough.
I'm with the forum consensus that it's probably too late now to start dabbling with them, but worth using next time in a half marathon. I'm going to buck the trend where I even use them in hard 10k races, where the sugar can often be a welcome pick-me-up when the going gets tough.
Cybertronian said:
Big fan of gels here as well, particularly the High 5 Isogels that are really thin and go down without water.
I'm with the forum consensus that it's probably too late now to start dabbling with them, but worth using next time in a half marathon. I'm going to buck the trend where I even use them in hard 10k races, where the sugar can often be a welcome pick-me-up when the going gets tough.
Totally agree, if you are starting to use gels then get a few different types and start testing them. I use SIS gels which are not as thin as High 5 gels and my mate uses GU gels which really are thick but I don't get on with them really.I'm with the forum consensus that it's probably too late now to start dabbling with them, but worth using next time in a half marathon. I'm going to buck the trend where I even use them in hard 10k races, where the sugar can often be a welcome pick-me-up when the going gets tough.
I use SiS as I am used to them. When I tried a High5 I found them really watery in comparison where others prefer that consistency as they are easier to swallow.
Another guy I know describes all gels all as being akin to eating 'monkey spunk'. Have not asked how he has ascertained that...
Another guy I know describes all gels all as being akin to eating 'monkey spunk'. Have not asked how he has ascertained that...
I would go for some of the energy bars like these rather than a mars bar:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/high5-mixed-energy-bars-10...
or these:
http://www.scienceinsport.com/uk/shop-sis/all-prod...
Chocolate is 'claggy' when you are trying to eat it so (personally) I wouldn't consider it as something to have on a run.
Again they are not something you should switch to on the day in case you dont like them.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/high5-mixed-energy-bars-10...
or these:
http://www.scienceinsport.com/uk/shop-sis/all-prod...
Chocolate is 'claggy' when you are trying to eat it so (personally) I wouldn't consider it as something to have on a run.
Again they are not something you should switch to on the day in case you dont like them.
If there's some sort of reasonably moist snack that you get on with (Nutrigrain bars/flapjack/whatever) I'd go with a couple of them. Test them on a training run between now and then but probably better that - something you know doesn't give you gut problems normally - than messing around now. Or the old runners/cyclists staple - bananas (if you get on with them.)
i made up a batch of energy bars from hugh fearnley whittingstall's recipe and have to say they're the best thing i've used.
easy to carry and eat - i know they do take a bit of chewing, but with a combination of quick and slow release energy, i think they do very well.
they have oats, honey, sugar, butter, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter and some orange zest.
recipe here
agree with not trying anything new on raceday, but i find these work for me.
i used gels for manchester marathon (the caffeine one nearly made me sick :hehe) and didn't find they helped that much.
ETA - inspired by the book born to run, i have wanted to make these energy bars for some time. sweet they are certainly not, but i quite like the flavour and i've only tried them a few weeks, but they seem to give a lot of slow release energy and if i have a half at lunchtime, i'm full of energy right to the end of the day
contains ground corn (polenta), chia seeds, dates and some agave nectar
pinole energy bar recipe here
easy to carry and eat - i know they do take a bit of chewing, but with a combination of quick and slow release energy, i think they do very well.
they have oats, honey, sugar, butter, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter and some orange zest.
recipe here
agree with not trying anything new on raceday, but i find these work for me.
i used gels for manchester marathon (the caffeine one nearly made me sick :hehe) and didn't find they helped that much.
ETA - inspired by the book born to run, i have wanted to make these energy bars for some time. sweet they are certainly not, but i quite like the flavour and i've only tried them a few weeks, but they seem to give a lot of slow release energy and if i have a half at lunchtime, i'm full of energy right to the end of the day
contains ground corn (polenta), chia seeds, dates and some agave nectar
pinole energy bar recipe here
Edited by SpydieNut on Friday 16th September 17:31
SpydieNut said:
ETA - inspired by the book born to run, i have wanted to make these energy bars for some time. sweet they are certainly not, but i quite like the flavour and i've only tried them a few weeks, but they seem to give a lot of slow release energy and if i have a half at lunchtime, i'm full of energy right to the end of the day
contains ground corn (polenta), chia seeds, dates and some agave nectar
pinole energy bar recipe here
They look good! As long as the texture is right - I've not so fond memories of trying to scoff down banana bread bars in sideways rainstorm once and even with the extra moisture that came from simply facing windwards, it was real slog to get them down.contains ground corn (polenta), chia seeds, dates and some agave nectar
pinole energy bar recipe here
Have been looking for 'food' based fuelling for a long run I've got coming up, might give them a try. I'm thinking alternating real food with Gu's should keep me going over 6-7 hours or so.
No idea if they're doing me any good or I'm just a fad victim but I do now chuck in a tablespoon of chia seeds in with my breakfast (and occasionally lunch) having read Born To Run. It's all far too subjective to say if they do half the stuff claimed, but as part of a generally well balanced diet I can't knock them - they add some nice texture.
My gels arrived yesterday, normally I wouldn't bother with them, but during the last mile on GNR, I suffered really bad cramp in my calf muscles and was in complete agony, a passing good Samaritan gave me a gel and within 30 seconds the pain subsided enough for me to complete the race. 
Finished the Purbeck marathon today in 5.15 which I'm extremely happy with considering there is 3.5k ft ascent. Weather was sunny and very warm, to warm for running TBH but I finished which is the main thing and don't think I'll be doing tough trail marathons on consecutive weekends again.
Great day on the Ring of Steall Skyrace - superb weather, unrelenting ascents and gnarly terrain with two superb, long vertiginous ridges - great organisation, safety and marshalling as befits the environment. Views were truly stunning and I was lucky enough to meet up with a fair few people I'd raced with before so all good company as well - highly recommended if anyone fancies dipping their toes into this sort of experience.
(Not me; pic courtesy of N. Brown)
29kms/2500m
(Not me; pic courtesy of N. Brown)
29kms/2500m
Saw the C4 coverage of the Andorra Ultra Trail this weekend. 170km and 13,500m of climbing. That's mindblowing. Even if there was no flat at all, that means that to climb that, and descend it all too, the average gradient at all times is 1:6.
To celebrate their achievements, I ran a pan flat 11.5kms with my HR under 140. Zzzzzzzzzz. Finally got my pace under 6 mins/km though, which is promising.
To celebrate their achievements, I ran a pan flat 11.5kms with my HR under 140. Zzzzzzzzzz. Finally got my pace under 6 mins/km though, which is promising.
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