Half Marathoners...Gellin' like a Felon?

So_Much_Fab
So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm doing my first half next month. :drinker:

Question for the experienced halfers, is having some kind of energy gel a necessity?

Even if it's not necessary (but useful) are there any particular brands you would recommend?

Thanks!

Replies

  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    It depends on how long it takes you to run the race. If you finish in under 2 hours you probably don't need anything. If you finish in over 2 hours it might help.
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    It depends on how long it takes you to run the race. If you finish in under 2 hours you probably don't need anything. If you finish in over 2 hours it might help.

    My best guesstimate at this time is 2:30 - 2:45.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Probably around 2 energy gels would be enough, one at an hour and the other at two hours.

    The best thing to do is try it on a long run and find out what works for you.
  • OtiWanKenobi
    OtiWanKenobi Posts: 340 Member
    Hi! I did my first half this past summer and I'm running another one this June. I finished my last one at 2:49, I hope to finish this year under 2:30. CROSSING FINGERS!

    So gel... yes I use GU Octaneon my long runs. My favorites are chocolate, island nectar and pineapple. I took them around mile 7 and it helped give me that boost. My other favorites are the peach GU chomps, Clif Shot Bloks (tropical).

    I found them to help me get past those last few miles.

    Best of luck!!!
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    You could do the gels (try to see what you like). Or take gatorade instead of water at the stops. But also defintiely make sure you've tried that on a long run too. That little mishap made for some uncomfortable miles during my 1st half.
  • katrwal
    katrwal Posts: 336 Member
    You could do the gels (try to see what you like). Or take gatorade instead of water at the stops. But also defintiely make sure you've tried that on a long run too. That little mishap made for some uncomfortable miles during my 1st half.

    absolutely this - try anything you plan on doing at least once before your half... for instance, i found out that drinking gatorade for the first time (ever - don't judge - i'm just cheap :tongue: ) at mile 10 resulted in an unanticipated need to sprint from the finish line to the nearest bathroom... which i couldn't find...

    always embarrassing to do the "potty dance" when you're 40... but congrats on your first half! you'll do great! :flowerforyou:
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    It depends on how long it takes you to run the race. If you finish in under 2 hours you probably don't need anything. If you finish in over 2 hours it might help.

    This is a great answer. I've been taking one after 6 miles but I upped it to 2 gels this last weekend. I took one at ~4.5 miles and ~9 miles. For sure practice with them if you're planning on taking them in a race. I think they actually help out a bit.
  • msrootitooti
    msrootitooti Posts: 253 Member
    I am training for my first at the beginning of May and have been experimenting too.. On a 12 mile run, I ate some of the sport beans at half an hour intervals. The GU sort of grosses me out but I plan on trying that too..
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I run halfs. Because of a bout with pneumonia during training for my next one coming up on May 5, I assume my time is going to be between 2:10 and 2:15. I was working on sub 2 but that's not in the cards now. Anyway whenever I run 2 hrs or more, so most my long runs, I have honey stinger chews about half way through. I aldo carry my own food and water for half marathons so I don't have to deal with aid stations. But that's just me, I like race day to be the same as my Sunday long run. I find most gels and goos to be disgusting and can't stomach them.
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    I think you need to experiment and see what works best for you. I don't like to take gels or anything (or drink water) during a half marathon, and I think Gatorade is gross.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I've got my first half on Saturday (gulp!). I'm going to take some peanut butter and crackers to eat if necessary. I don't normally eat during my runs, but I've only hit 11 miles so far. And I'm slow - hoping to finish under 3 hours, but that's iffy. So I'm sure I'll be dying of hunger before I complete the race. We'll see how it goes!
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    I think you need to experiment and see what works best for you. I don't like to take gels or anything (or drink water) during a half marathon, and I think Gatorade is gross.
    Agree with the first part. Just ran my 1st half last Saturday. I was in the mindset that I wouldn't want anything and wasn't even going to try really. However, on our 12 mile training run, our running group leader left gels and water at the 1/2 way point to try. I had an awesome run, ran all 12 in a 9 min pace on a route I had NEVER been able to complete because of hills. On my 13 mile run, I didn't do this and totally conked at 9 miles. I managed 11.75 miles and finally said forget it.

    Fast Forward to Saturday, I used the gel at mile 7.5. There was a very long hill from 8-9.5 and my legs were dead so at about 8.5 I had to take a short walk and then I could feel my energy returning and ended up running very well and finishing in 1:59:45.
    A friend I ran with didn't use anything and finished fine so it really and truly is very individual. Give them a try and see how you do. You may not be able to stomach them, you may not see a difference, or you may find they are beneficial!

    Good luck!
  • badbradclark
    badbradclark Posts: 47 Member
    Experiment with different brands - different styles (e.g. beans vs. gels vs. drinks). Different brands have different consistencies. GU gels are a bit more thick than PowerBar gels, for example. But regardless, do your experimentation during training as some brands may work well for your and others may cause stomach issues. Also make sure that you drink water just after you take your gel - this means you will likely have to coordinate with water stations if you don't carry water with you. The water will help settle your stomach and get the taste out of your mouth. Even though I don't mind the taste, I don't like it lingering.

    For me, anything over an hour I plan on a gel very 35-40 minutes.
  • 99clmsntgr
    99clmsntgr Posts: 777 Member
    Depends.

    For your long runs, no one else is going to provide it, so if you think you're going to want a boost, you better bring it with you. I like Gu and I also like the Honey Stinger Waffles (if you have a larger pocket and can carry it). If I'm running significantly over an hour, I'll carry something with me and pop it half-way.

    On the race course, most half- and full-marathons will have at least one water station with gel or some other quick fuel. Disney's races have gels at every other station, the last local one I did had their mile 8 station designated with gels, but there were gummy bears and a couple other things along the way, too. Check the course map, a good race planner will let you know where it it.
  • KateRunsColorado
    KateRunsColorado Posts: 407 Member
    I typically only take one about 7-8 miles in. I took one at mile 6 during my Half Marathon last month, because that's where they had them, and I felt like I could've definitely used another my mile 12!

    I've tried GU, the one made by PowerBar, and the kind made by Clif Bar, and my favorite so far (and by favorite, I mean least disgusting) is the Clif Bar Razz flavored.

    But the bottom line is definitely make sure you try them out prior to race day! And if your race is going to provide them, try to find out what kind and have one on a practice run and make sure it works for you! And don't deviate from what you've been practicing - like I mentioned above, I wish I would've waited to take mine on race day until a few more miles.
  • runningchick70
    runningchick70 Posts: 192 Member
    You will get a wide variety of answers to your question. There are some runners who won't use anything. I believe that for me personally, fueling during a long run or a race is extremely important. A good rule of thumb is to fuel every 45 minutes or so. There are a lot of brands of gels & chews out there. Pick some that sound good to you & try them out on your long runs. Good luck!
  • KateRunsColorado
    KateRunsColorado Posts: 407 Member
    I just had another note to point out -

    I did about 5, 12-13 mile runs in the weeks leading up to my Half Marathon and for 3 of them I used gels and for 2 of them I didn't, and I really noticed a big difference in my energy for the last 3-4 miles! Once I got over 10, I just became exhausted if I didn't have anything, and had to either walk parts or really slow down.

    Whether its gels or something else, I definitely recommend having something!

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