Chocolate for distance runs?

maserati185

Do you eat chocolate, jelly beans, or a something similar for energy DURING your distance run? Why or why not?

runnercheryl

I've never been a runner, but last year I did a lot of walking - the only thing I could comfortably eat and that stopped me shaking and feeling sick was chocolate. I took a big bag with me and snacked on the way around - I didn't eat a lot of it, in the end, but it just helped keep my health under control on the walk.

andrejjorje

As long as you hit your macros I'd think you're OK. Eating chocolate after a great burn is a good way to replenish the glycogen and get rid of the lactic acid.
During the run, electrolytes would help more than solid food but if you're running half of full marathon then yes after two h you have take something in. At that level of burning anything calorie concentrated would work.

muzmacol

I'm a moderate runner rebuilding after a long absence. I would eat some choc prior to an early morning run, that or a banana. While running i only take water with some pure orange mixed in (500mls 0nly).

El_Rapido

Clif shot bloks for me, can't stand gels or beans. Friends of mine take mini mars bars and snickers on fell runs. As part of your standard fell race equipment you have to carry emergency food, most people pack a mars or a snickers, I've had fruit cake before on fell runs too

coronalime

On my 50K at the rest stops they had gummy bears and M&M's out..along with Pepsi and Mt Dew. I am dairy free so no chocolate for me. However I do sometimes have chocolate almond milk after long runs. Its suppose to help with rebuilding..or so they say

bahacca

I use Jelly Belly Sport Beans. I'm not a distance runner(training for a 1/2, though), but I just like the taste in my mouth as I tend to get dry mouth really bad after about 3 miles. I hurl if I intake too much water, so they help me. I just eat 1, though. By the time I hit 13 miles, I'll probably use them more often.

maserati185

I haven't tried the gel packs. I've noticed that with the energy jelly beans, I feel no difference. But with the M&Ms I had today, I felt a renewed energy in a matter of minutes and it stayed through the run. Then I read that some people do gummi bears for this.