Energy Gels
palmerc19
Posts: 28 Member
Which energy gels are best for something like a Spartan race? Or which energy gels are just the best in general! 
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Replies
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How long is the race?
But...
Energy gels are kinda of a personal preference. Some formulas don't agree with some people. Others can do any type.
This is one of those things you figure out in training.3 -
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There is no best. Try a bunch and see which you like and don't upset your stomach.0
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Like others have said, depends on what tastes decent to you and doesn't upset your stomach. During my long runs (up to a half marathon), I eat raisins that I've measured out and packed in individual portions, because nothing tastes as good as a raisin at mile 10. I pair them with Nuun to replace electrolytes, since the raisins don't do a good job of providing those. I'd recommend picking up a few gels at your local running store to try out, but if you hate them all...raisins.1
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3dogsrunning is correct about gels not agreeing with some people. They make me sick--stomach ache and nausea. A friend of mine gave a gel to her father before a a run; about a mile into the run he was so sick she thought she was going to have to take him to the emergency room. I absolutely cannot use gels.
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I use the SiS Isotonic ones and find those easy to take as they're quite liquid.0
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How long is the race?
For very long rides I mostly fuel with food (far easier to do cycling of course!) and use gels as a top up, 2:1 maltodextrin and fructose mix.
I'm not very caffeine responsive so with or without caffeine doesn't really bother me or change my performance noticeably.
I tend to buy what's on special offer, price and the flavour is what makes "best" when ingredients are basically the same.
Do practice use before the event though, on the day isn't the time to experiment.0 -
I've used GU gels for almost all my races. But some people hate them, some have preferred flavors. Give them a try during your long workouts to see how your body reacts to them.
If you aren't ready to run the course like an Elite athlete and are doing a hard Sprint course (Palmerton or Wintergreen), a Super or Beast - I'd also recommend bringing an energy bar or two (and a hydration pack), something with more substantial calories. You will be on course for 4+ hours. Again you need to practice ingesting it during strenuous activity prior to the race. I've used Vega bars and Lara bars with success.
And whatever you do - don't leave trash on the course please
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Yep I say buy several from what is available to purchase and try them out during your training! I hate the gels personally.1
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Rule # 1......nothing new on race day, train with what you're going to race with.
As others have mentioned some people will find certain gels cause stomach problems. I used to use Clifshots (the raspberry is like dessert...) but started making my own "gel" a few years ago.......3 parts honey, 1 part molasses, a pinch of salt and a bit of water to thin it. A gel flask is the equivalent to several gel packs, no litter to deal with and a fraction of the price.2 -
BrianSharpe wrote: »but started making my own "gel" a few years ago.......3 parts honey, 1 part molasses, a pinch of salt and a bit of water to thin it. A gel flask is the equivalent to several gel packs, no litter to deal with and a fraction of the price.
+1
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BrianSharpe wrote: »but started making my own "gel" a few years ago.......3 parts honey, 1 part molasses, a pinch of salt and a bit of water to thin it. A gel flask is the equivalent to several gel packs, no litter to deal with and a fraction of the price.
+1
Okay, so I understand that this would be a good thing from a cost/waste perspective but the thought of what that must taste like is making me shiver all over just thinking about it. I don't think I could stand it, especially not while I'm running and even relatively good-tasting stuff is hard to get down.0 -
I used a combination of GU, Cliff bar, caffeinated jellybean things and electrolyte tabs in my water pack. The GU definitely have different flavors though. I preferred the chocolate as it tasted like I was eating brownie mix...mmmm LOL0
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BrianSharpe wrote: »but started making my own "gel" a few years ago.......3 parts honey, 1 part molasses, a pinch of salt and a bit of water to thin it. A gel flask is the equivalent to several gel packs, no litter to deal with and a fraction of the price.
+1
Okay, so I understand that this would be a good thing from a cost/waste perspective but the thought of what that must taste like is making me shiver all over just thinking about it. I don't think I could stand it, especially not while I'm running and even relatively good-tasting stuff is hard to get down.
I really enjoy the flavour but I'm also one of those weirdos who likes the chewy Halloween candies...1 -
Like everyone else said, it's up to preference. Figure it out while you're training.
My preferred gel is Honey Stinger. For chews, I use Clif Bloks. If I need something more substantial, Honey Stinger waffles or Bonk Breaker bars.0 -
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I prefer solids. No discomfort with gels but just didn't get the "full" feeling in the stomach or the quick pickup/rush; however, I only used gels twice, GU banana strawberry and a home formulation. Still tons of the homemade stuff and probably restart experimentation after this Saturday's Death Ride (hope to finish). I hoping it's just a timing issue as I tend not to refuel until I'm 90 minutes to two hours into the ride. It'll be a shame to just dump the rest of the stuff down the drain.0
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sport beans they are yummy and you can take one or 2 or a whole handful but as many others have said try them out first.0
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[/quote]
Okay, so I understand that this would be a good thing from a cost/waste perspective but the thought of what that must taste like is making me shiver all over just thinking about it. I don't think I could stand it, especially not while I'm running and even relatively good-tasting stuff is hard to get down.[/quote]
Two thoughts in reply: 1) If you like honey and molasses flavored cookies or candy, you'd probably be fine. If you don't like those flavors, then I agree its not for you. 2) Just THINK of the psychological edge you'd enjoy when mid run or mid ride, your fellow athletes are pulling out their brightly colored packets of GU, Clif, Hammer Gels, etc. and you whip out a flask of motor oil, take a big swig, proclaim "this stuff is the best", then proceed to leave them in the dust.
That is how legends are born.
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BrianSharpe wrote: »but started making my own "gel" a few years ago.......3 parts honey, 1 part molasses, a pinch of salt and a bit of water to thin it. A gel flask is the equivalent to several gel packs, no litter to deal with and a fraction of the price.
+1
Okay, so I understand that this would be a good thing from a cost/waste perspective but the thought of what that must taste like is making me shiver all over just thinking about it. I don't think I could stand it, especially not while I'm running and even relatively good-tasting stuff is hard to get down.
IME, 50 miles into a race almost anything tastes good.2 -
BrianSharpe wrote: »but started making my own "gel" a few years ago.......3 parts honey, 1 part molasses, a pinch of salt and a bit of water to thin it. A gel flask is the equivalent to several gel packs, no litter to deal with and a fraction of the price.
+1
Okay, so I understand that this would be a good thing from a cost/waste perspective but the thought of what that must taste like is making me shiver all over just thinking about it. I don't think I could stand it, especially not while I'm running and even relatively good-tasting stuff is hard to get down.
IME, 50 miles into a race almost anything tastes good.
I feel exactly the opposite, pretty well everything turns my stomach when I'm running so I take as little as I can get away with without bonking. Solids are nearly impossible but I can manage a gel if I can immediately get some water to rinse out my mouth.
Two thoughts in reply: 1) If you like honey and molasses flavored cookies or candy, you'd probably be fine. If you don't like those flavors, then I agree its not for you. 2) Just THINK of the psychological edge you'd enjoy when mid run or mid ride, your fellow athletes are pulling out their brightly colored packets of GU, Clif, Hammer Gels, etc. and you whip out a flask of motor oil, take a big swig, proclaim "this stuff is the best", then proceed to leave them in the dust.
That is how legends are born.
I don't dislike either flavour much in theory, but neither of those things are something I would ever consider swallowing on its own, even diluted a bit. To each his own and all, but I just can't imagine not horking it up, lol.BrianSharpe wrote: »BrianSharpe wrote: »but started making my own "gel" a few years ago.......3 parts honey, 1 part molasses, a pinch of salt and a bit of water to thin it. A gel flask is the equivalent to several gel packs, no litter to deal with and a fraction of the price.
+1
Okay, so I understand that this would be a good thing from a cost/waste perspective but the thought of what that must taste like is making me shiver all over just thinking about it. I don't think I could stand it, especially not while I'm running and even relatively good-tasting stuff is hard to get down.
I really enjoy the flavour but I'm also one of those weirdos who likes the chewy Halloween candies...
I'm captain of the Anti-Tootsie Roll club myself, so I'll just assume you're all a little crazy.
This has gotten me thinking about whether I could come up with something homemade that would be palatable, though...I might have to try out some recipes as I really do hate stuffing empty gel packs into my flipbelt as they are always a little sticky somehow...eurgh.0 -
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I feel exactly the opposite, pretty well everything turns my stomach when I'm running so I take as little as I can get away with without bonking. Solids are nearly impossible but I can manage a gel if I can immediately get some water to rinse out my mouth.
I think your approach is favored by most, and that is to take in just enough calories to offset some of the glycogen stores that are being used up during a prolonged event. Also, whenever using a gel, I consume it with water, as it seems you do.
Finally, your comments suggest to me that you might be happier using just liquid fuels. (Hammer Heed/Perpeteum , First Endurance, Infinit performance, UCAN, etc.) Have you tried any of them?
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I feel exactly the opposite, pretty well everything turns my stomach when I'm running so I take as little as I can get away with without bonking. Solids are nearly impossible but I can manage a gel if I can immediately get some water to rinse out my mouth.
I think your approach is favored by most, and that is to take in just enough calories to offset some of the glycogen stores that are being used up during a prolonged event. Also, whenever using a gel, I consume it with water, as it seems you do.
Finally, your comments suggest to me that you might be happier using just liquid fuels. (Hammer Heed/Perpeteum , First Endurance, Infinit performance, UCAN, etc.) Have you tried any of them?
I don't like to carry liquid with me. On training runs I just stop and buy a bottle of water after about an hour if I need it/am consuming gels, then carry it until it's gone and throw it out, and at races I make sure that the station placement will be enough.
I mostly stick to half-marathon though so I can get by without too much fuel or water (or none on training runs if I'm taking it easy), so it's not a big concern for me right now.0 -
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I feel exactly the opposite, pretty well everything turns my stomach when I'm running so I take as little as I can get away with without bonking. Solids are nearly impossible but I can manage a gel if I can immediately get some water to rinse out my mouth.
I think your approach is favored by most, and that is to take in just enough calories to offset some of the glycogen stores that are being used up during a prolonged event. Also, whenever using a gel, I consume it with water, as it seems you do.
Finally, your comments suggest to me that you might be happier using just liquid fuels. (Hammer Heed/Perpeteum , First Endurance, Infinit performance, UCAN, etc.) Have you tried any of them?
I don't like to carry liquid with me. On training runs I just stop and buy a bottle of water after about an hour if I need it/am consuming gels, then carry it until it's gone and throw it out, and at races I make sure that the station placement will be enough.
I mostly stick to half-marathon though so I can get by without too much fuel or water (or none on training runs if I'm taking it easy), so it's not a big concern for me right now.
that makes sense. fueling is more important at longer distances.0 -
Besides energy gels ( my personal preference is power bar brand banana /strawberry), you might also consider individual boxes of raisins( about same cal/carb/sugar as gels but more natural) or chocolate m&ms for a quick sugar boost1
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