Energy supplements for a half marathon!

kylielouttit

Do you use energy gels or sport beans?

I did my first half in May and never thought to bring something like that but was pleasantly surpirsed when I saw that they were handing out GU Energy Gels along the race route! They came in handy! They also did Gatorade but I never took any.

When I was in Running Room as few weeks ago, I saw that they had Jelly Belly Sport Energy beans and I bought a couple flavours for my long runs but I have yet to try them.

What do you use? My next half is on September 11 and I am pondering what I could do again.

Krull_the_WarriorKing

I did the Disney Half in January and I think I over did it a little on the supplements prior to race time. I was drinking at every power ade stop and I had some gels before the race started. By the end of the race my hands were all swollen. If it were hotter (65-70 at the time of my race) I probably wouldn't have had that problem.

If you did fine without - I'd keep on that path. Just make sure you stop and drink if you're really sweating.

ATT949

When I do my LSD, I use a packet of GU before I start out (because I'm too lazy to wake up early and eat breakfast!)

"Road Racing", by Runners World, tells me that at my size and based on the temps I run in, I need 7.2 OZ water every 20 minutes. For nutrition, I burn about 160 cals/mile.

Combining those needs, I bought a Nathan HPL 20 and I use my own "replenisher drink" on runs for 3+ miles.

1 Crystallight packet
1/4 tsp Morton Lite Salt
1/4 tsp sea salt
Heaping 1/2 cup sugar
2 quarts water

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Your-Own-Damn-Sports-Drink



I'm running the half in San Diego this weekend and I'll be carrying 2 liters of "replenisher drink" with me.



Insofar as gels, I've only tried Gu Sublime and it seems to work.