Beginners and Beyond

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Gu & gels....do you NEED to take with water? (Read 150 times)

Nakedbabytoes


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

    cmb4314


      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) 

      Adam_McAllen


      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

           

           

          Nakedbabytoes


          levitation specialist

            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. Dead

              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

              Venomized


              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 Smile

                   

                  Yes, with water. Don't do it with a sports drink. Dead

                  ”Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

                  “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

                   

                  Tomas


                  Anomalous

                    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 Smile

                     

                     

                    LOL!! I do love a cold corona. Approve

                    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


                    Anomalous

                      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.

                       

                      Sometimes we learn the hard way.

                      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

                        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)

                        • Sub 22  5K
                        • Sub 1:35 1/2 marathon 
                        • Sub 3:25:00 Marathon
                        scottydawg


                        Barking Mad To Run

                          The water helps your body absorb the carbs in the gel.

                           

                          http://www.cranksports.com/epower/hydration.asp

                           

                          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

                          GinnyinPA


                            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

                              happylily


                                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

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