levitation specialist
Curious.
I know it says on the package to do so. Why is this? Admittedly, I have yet to try one.
Saturdays are my LR days and so far I have had pretty good luck with my own mix of white grape juice concentrate, salt, & water mix, along with one package of gummy fruit snacks. I am at the end of the mileage with my current setup of 2 8oz fluid bottles and 1 pack of fruit snacks. I need to either add another 8oz bottle or another fruit snack package. But then there is this GU packet I got from last year's full that I volunteered at(don't worry, exp date is 9/13) that keeps taunting me to just try it and get it over with!
But then, don't I need an extra bottle of water for that anyways? Can I try it without? Or should I just stick with what works and pack another fruit snack? I wasn't thinking I would add another bottle until I get to my 22 milers(at 19 this week) and it gets warmer. Then I might need to extra fluid ratio to just gummies.
And yes, I am planning on using my belt in my full in May, which is why the practice. I don't take fuel on my shorter mid range runs of 15 or less. So I won't need to rely on using what the marathon is using(Gu, water, Gatorade). We have a mass start of 10,000 full and half-ers, volunteering last year made me realize that at least for the first half of the marathon, relying on the stations is a bad idea....too many people!
And my belt works well anyways. So I am fine wearing it 26.2
I am not sure why it says to take with water. I can imagine that watering it down would be a good thing as far as helping you digest.
I have forgotten to take water with mine on really cold days. I just got totally distracted by trying to put the packaging back in my pocket and zip it up with mittens on - and realized about 2 miles down the road that I never drank anything.
I will say though, that I am someone that needs surprisingly little fluid on a daily basis - I have to force myself to drink water and often I fill my water bottle but then forget to drink any of it with my lunch at work. I just don't get that thirsty unless I'm sweating a ton.
I also doubt I'd have forgotten if it wasn't 20 degrees out - I would have been looking forward to that water if I were hot and sweaty.
My wildly inconsistent PRs:
5k: 24:36 (10/20/12)
10k: 52:01 (4/28/12)
HM: 1:50:09 (10/27/12)
Marathon: 4:19:11 (10/2/2011)
Beer-and-waffle Powered
The water helps your body absorb the carbs in the gel.
http://www.cranksports.com/epower/hydration.asp
In the words of my late-coach : Just hang in there, relax... and at the end of a race anyone you see.....just pass them
it is a pretty thick gel. aside from the disgestion assistance, water helps get the film out of your mouth afterward.
PR's : HM 1:51:15 - 5K 21:27
The water helps your body absorb the carbs in the gel. http://www.cranksports.com/epower/hydration.asp
Very helpful! Thank you!
Anomalous
Yes, with water. Don't do it with a sports drink.
Half Fanatic #3091 ~ Marathon debut: 11/16/13 Anthem Richmond Marathon
"Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious." - Rumi
Drink up moho's!!
My cousin made the mistake of washing down a GU with sports drink one race. It was like a sugar bomb going off and gave her GI issues.
the one gel I have had was a lemon lime flavored one that I had with a miller light at mile 22 of my only marathon. That may have been the best beer I have ever had.
tasted like a cold corona with just the right amount of lime in it
”Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”
Tomas
the one gel I have had was a lemon lime flavored one that I had with a miller light at mile 22 of my only marathon. That may have been the best beer I have ever had. tasted like a cold corona with just the right amount of lime in it
LOL!! I do love a cold corona.
Sometimes we learn the hard way.
I will sometimes do the gu with out water. I usually eat the chocolate outrage and find they taste like a chocolate bar. I don't eat much chocolate so I really kind of look forward to them. I think your going to have to try it and find out for yourself. We are all an experiement of one.
2014 Goals: (Yeah I suck)
Barking Mad To Run
This. Altho I have taken them before a race without water and they still will work without water....but I would not recommend it, cuz the water sure helps get the stuff down easier.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
There is a lot of sugar in them, and that can be hard to digest. I tried a Hammer Gel while training for a HM and didn't know about the water. It tasted great, but I had very bad stomach cramps. I think I'll try something else this time.
Mostly harmless
For me, I HAVE to take them with water. If I don't I get GI issues and/or indigestion.
"It doesn’t matter how often you do it or how much you accomplish, in general, not running is a lot easier than running." - Meb Keflezighi
I was told that if you take a gel without water, your body may actually use water inside of you to help with the carbs absorbtion. So it dehydrates you. I try to suck a bit on my gel before I reach an aid station. Then I swallow a bit of water, not a lot, and I'm off again. I probably don't drink enough water. And I like to take the gel over the course of two aid stations, so about 3 miles. Not all at once. Otherwise, it's just too much for my stomach.
PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013
Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013
18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010