Eating On the Run

I pack a snack for my training runs over 6 miles. Currently, I use Power Bar Energy Blasts. They're like gummies with gel on the inside. They seem to do the trick.

What do you use?

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Clif shot blox
    Clif or Gu gels
    Rice crispy treats (seriously... awesome for quick energy)

    .
  • Abbygrlbff
    Abbygrlbff Posts: 52 Member
    I use those Power Bar energy gels and the Advocare hydration gels. Love them both!
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    I like Clif Shot Bloks but find Powerbar gels easier to take and digest during a run. I have a friend who does pieces of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches--haven't tried that yet but sounds like a tasty idea ;)

    I also usually bring Gatorade G2 and water on my fuel belt.
  • Big fan of Sports Beans made by Jelly Belly, you can get them at REI...those things are incredible.
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    I love the Honey Stinger waffles.

    Plus another vote for sport beans. They're super convenient, not sticky, taste great!
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    and a double post lol
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    Honey Stinger Waffles

    Swedish Fish
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    Rice crispy treats (seriously... awesome for quick energy)

    I think you could have stopped at "seriously... awesome"

    :drinker:
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    SIS GO gels, but after a few hours I get sick of the sweet taste and pop some pretzels in my belt.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    For runs up to 3 hours, nothing.

    I only use gels to practice for races. I will do a long run with 2 gels, maybe twice during the marathon training cycle just to make sure they don't upset my stomach. Otherwise, I prescribe to deprivation training. I want my body to be as efficient as possible at using the energy stores it already contains. That way, when I introduce a gel during the race, it's actually going to provide a boost as it's unexpected.
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    I don't have a belt. I stuff my snack in the back of my sports bra and carry a bottle of Propel in hand LMAO

    I tried energy gel once. Tasted like barf but I had to eat it anyway because I had nothing else bleh
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    For runs up to 3 hours, nothing.

    I only use gels to practice for races. I will do a long run with 2 gels, maybe twice during the marathon training cycle just to make sure they don't upset my stomach. Otherwise, I prescribe to deprivation training. I want my body to be as efficient as possible at using the energy stores it already contains. That way, when I introduce a gel during the race, it's actually going to provide a boost as it's unexpected.

    That's a really good point about teaching your body to be proficient. I think I'm too wimpy lol Also, it's hot and humid 10 months a year here in the Houston area and I just get so depleted so quickly after 4 miles. I remember a training run on Oct 26 two years ago and it was still in the low 90s. I said a lot of bad words. It sucked.

    I do get better at training in the heat every year. But I'm still too wimpy for that deprivation stuff :)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    For runs up to 3 hours, nothing.

    I only use gels to practice for races. I will do a long run with 2 gels, maybe twice during the marathon training cycle just to make sure they don't upset my stomach. Otherwise, I prescribe to deprivation training. I want my body to be as efficient as possible at using the energy stores it already contains. That way, when I introduce a gel during the race, it's actually going to provide a boost as it's unexpected.

    I'm also a fan of training your body for the worst (for lack of a better phrase) - not just with calorie deprivation, but also things like weather conditions, terrain, etc.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I make my own homemade "gel" out of honey & molasses - carbs, potassium, sodium , all natural and about $1 for a gel flask (enough for 2 long Sunday runs). When I was buying commercially prepared gels I used Clif Shots (raspberry......like eating dessert!)
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I've settled on carrying a bottle of high5 endurance drink, on any run over 10 miles. This seems to do for me for both my liquid and fuel needs - works ok.

    I find my stomach upsets too easily for most of the food type things. And I do struggle with just water. This seems to be a good compromise that gets me round my longer runs quite comfortably.
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    A little baggie with raisins and an extra stick of gum.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Jelly beans and Jolly Ranchers. I have yet to try the gels. I agree with what others have mentioned about training without fuel, but I also would not eat something during a race that I hadn't tested in advance. I plan to buy some gels on my next trip past the running store.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Chicken madras with garlic keema naan and poppadoms.
    Spaghetti Bolognese

    If I'm wearing white I just go without. Learned that the hard way.
  • ccruns920
    ccruns920 Posts: 14 Member
    If I'm going to be out for over an hour, I bring something (I'm sure deprivation training is the best, but I get all crabby after an hour and need something to look forward to, at the very least:). I had a positive experience with honey stingers on my 10-miler this weekend. I also like the sport beans because they don't get sticky. I have a very sensitive stomach and just the thought of consuming any of those coffee or chocolate-flavored gel oozy things worries me!
  • I do not take any food with me on my runs. My longest is maybe 7 or 8 miles. I eat a slice of my homemade banana bread. I have the recipe on my blog. I eat a piece of this right before I head out for my run. This provides enough fuel to keep me going for 60-90 minutes.

    http://www.runningwithoutawatch.com/2012/07/banana-bread.html

    Enjoy!!!

    Jay
  • brandyk77
    brandyk77 Posts: 605 Member
    Clif shot blox
    Clif or Gu gels
    Rice crispy treats (seriously... awesome for quick energy)

    .

    wow - i've never thought of rice crispy treats but they totally would be awesome - i am a wee bit obsessed with them.

    In regards to what I eat, normally nothing. If it is hot, i'll take some gatorade on in addition to water. For marathon training, i will test out some gummy types of stuff but this will only be during 16-20 milers.

    It is all about what you train your body to do. I just ran my best HM ever taking in nothing but water during the entire race - add on 1.6 mile warm up and a mile cool down. HOWEVER, I fuel properly the night before and that morning.
  • brandyk77
    brandyk77 Posts: 605 Member
    I've settled on carrying a bottle of high5 endurance drink, on any run over 10 miles. This seems to do for me for both my liquid and fuel needs - works ok.

    I find my stomach upsets too easily for most of the food type things. And I do struggle with just water. This seems to be a good compromise that gets me round my longer runs quite comfortably.

    I have a friend who has similar issues and she uses something called Perpetuem. She would get sick taking on anything during a race, even water. She now uses this stuff exclusively.

    http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/perpetuem.pp.html
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    For people who have a hard time going more than an hour without something...

    Make sure you are properly hydrated before you go out. In typical conditions (whatever typical is for you), most people should be able to go 60-90 minutes without much trouble. If you're having trouble, it may have more to do what what you're eating/drinking BEFORE you run, than what you have during your run.

    All this can get a little skewed though when you change conditions. If you're used to running on flat ground when its 75 outside, your body may respond very differently on hills or warmer temps, etc.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I've settled on carrying a bottle of high5 endurance drink, on any run over 10 miles. This seems to do for me for both my liquid and fuel needs - works ok.

    I find my stomach upsets too easily for most of the food type things. And I do struggle with just water. This seems to be a good compromise that gets me round my longer runs quite comfortably.

    I have a friend who has similar issues and she uses something called Perpetuem. She would get sick taking on anything during a race, even water. She now uses this stuff exclusively.

    http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/perpetuem.pp.html

    My big race this summer had Hammer's Heed on course, which I really liked. During intense effort (i.e. race conditions), I have a hard time stomaching much of anything, but Heed seems to be pretty easy to absorb.
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    I use Clif Shot Bloks. Mostly because I got a pack of them free in the goodie bag of one of the very first runs I ever did and I threw them in my cabinet until I got my distance up long enough to justify needing them. They worked with no stomach upset, so that's just what I've stuck with.

    I only take them on runs over eight miles or so, but the last two-three long runs before a half I don't take anything for similar reasons mentioned above, I want to get a few runs without so that when I take them during, it has more impact.
  • kylTKe
    kylTKe Posts: 146 Member
    I just stop at a convenience store and choose on the spot. It's nicer than carrying a bunch of food and extra water with you.