A little late in the game to be thinking about this probably. But now every damn race report I read is writing about I took 17 gels and chomps and spriznicks* to power me through and thanks be because without my mighty gel who knows wtf would have happened – and now I’m thinking, great, I’ve never taken a gel, and frig, what was I thinking not eating gels for the last 15 weeks?
I’ve never taken gels on any long runs. I haven’t needed to, because, heck, I’ve only run 20 or so miles for the longest runs. Am I stoopid? Should I try some gels this weekend? Are they that awesome and necessary? Race is in 3 weeks.
*okay, made that one up
But Och! I backward cast my e'e, On prospects drear! An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!
"run" "to" "eat"
no need to try gels in advance. always fun to save something new for race day!
i find the sunshine beckons me to open up the gate and dream and dream ~~robbie williams
I only use them in longer races but have no need for anything but water on training runs up to 20 miles. I've got no idea if they help but I like the caffeine kick. Wether it's placabo or not is irrelevant since they don't have a negative effect. I'll usually have one during each of my last two long runs just to train the stomach for race day. I think you have time to test between now and baystate.
Of course my advice might be foolish and you'll end up puking at mile 18.
Try one or two on your next long run. I plan to take one at the start, miles 7, 15, and 20. It's good to have one on hand in the last 6 miles as well in case you feel like you are bonking.
The Logic of Long Distance
Milktruck say relentless
You must have at least one Gu brand gel, espresso love flavor, in order to have a successful marathon. You must take this gel at precisely mile 21. Good luck! Having a second one at mile 23 should guarantee a PR.
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
" ..that corner has narrowed to a half-nekkid egyptian wandering about in the cold new jersey nighttime."~ R2E
I think ilene has her own line of gu.
Thanks all. I guess I'll pick some up tonight at the friendly neighborhood shoe shop and try it tomorrow. Not sure why trying gel is making me nervous. Of all the stupid things.
+1. This formula (minus the one on hand for the last 6 miles) has worked really well for me in my my successful marathons. I have enough data to say they definitely help and I don't think there is any way I could race a marathon to my potential without them.
I usually try to time the one at the start to be about 15 minutes before the gun.
Runners run.
Fast is better than long
Uber Like
2013 Goals: 2500 miles / 2:45 marathon? / sub 2 800m / 4:30 mile / sub 16 5K / sub hour 10 miles
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm the rest of the night;Set a man afire and he'll be warm the rest of his life.
What in the Jehu?
My pattern as well; however, increased temps cause me to look to every 5 miles vs. 7 miles. Apparently GU leaks out of teh body more quickly in heat.
I ran 14 marathons before ever using gels, and using them makes nary a shred of difference.
NARY!
42,500 Miles Later
A Saucy Wench
+1
I dont need to use them in training but I do during races you are working at a higher burnrate and will go through glycogen faster. I am to the point now that I know which ones my body likes and which ones my body doesnt. (chocolate, although tasty, gives me WICKED heartburn) so I dont in training, but until you learn what is compatible its best to practice.
I would also try taking one a mile or two into one of your marathon or tempo run training runs because sometimes what sits well at long run pace doesnt sit as well when you are working hard.
I have become Death, the destroyer of electronic gadgets
"When I got too tired to run anymore I just pretended I wasnt tired and kept running anyway" - dd, age 7
Nashville Dog Runner
Yep. What she said. Espresso love. (First mint brownie/chocolate--A, then peanut butter--B, then espresso--C). Always in that order. ABCABC
www.nashvilledogrunner.com
Tried em. Lemon lime made me gag, but the chocolate is okay. Not sure they made a difference, but didn't hurt, and it was a good run.
The espresso and roctane flavors seem to go down better / less sweet tasting than the regular flavors.
steph
OCD If you don't laugh ...
© 2013 RunningAHEAD, LLC. All rights reserved. | Privacy