Runners... long run snacks?

Personally for a half I wouldn't bother eating. You need carbs not protein I also would have thought jerky would be a bit chewy to eat on the run. I normally just take Few dates for runs over 13 or 14 or use a a drink like hi5

When I trained for my first half I just used the same little packages of fruit gummies that I buy for treats for the kids. You know- Dora, Lightening McQueen, Scooby Doo. LOL

During my actual race they offered a Gu Station at Mile 7. I used that from Mile 8 - Mile 10.

Eating properly before the runs seems to benefit me and my abilities more so than fuelling during a run.

Having said that, I'm trying some more things now that I'm training for a full marathon - but that's a different beast all together.

Try a variety of things during training runs, but I'd echo the advice that you dont need very much, and a few jelly beans are probably sufficient.

I have to fuel after an hour of running and then every half hour after that. I am currently using the guchews. I have to cut them up into smaller pieces though because I am a mouth breather. Trying to chew one of those whole and breathe at the same time isn't gonna happen lol! I also tried sport beans but had the same breathing problem. The guchews start to dissolve in my mouth if they are cut small enough so I don't have to focus so much on chewing and breathing. I will be trying the gugels next.

I like these things called 'pro bar' they are like gummy worms or fish, but they taste better and come in all sorts of flavors. I start them around an hour and then every mile just have one. I usually only use a half pack (1.25) for a 10 mile run.

Fueling during racing and training are two different things. You'll get lot's of runners street cred by not eating too much, but it is worth paying attention to, especially if you are trying to lose weight at the same time. Many of the folks telling others not to eat are in maintenance. Just listen to your body. if you find you are getting uncomfortably hungry during your longer runs, bring along some water and carbs. I like honey stingers as well. Also, 2nd surge is really good, but it does have 100mg of caffeine in it, so you have to be careful with that one. The same company has another gel called accel gel that I like, as well. It has less caffeine. As always, practice with whatever you decide to use before the race. For the half I ran, I estimated I would be running for something a little under two hours, so that worked out to a gel on the start line and 2 out on the course, plus some gatorade. This won't earn me any runners street cred, but I ended with a 1:51 for my first half, so it worked out.

Good luck and have fun!

To echo what others have said -- you really shouldn't need fuel for a run that is less than about 90 minutes, especially if you eat a little something beforehand. I will sometimes have a piece of toast before a morning run.

If you do feel the need to eat something, a tiny bit of carbs can go a very long way. What you are really giving yourself is more of a psychological boost, so whatever carb you think will do that for you is probably ideal -- a small candy, jelly bean, a GU, a cracker, a strawberry, whatever.

You shouldn't really need it for a half, but if you do want something, stay away from beef jerky. Protein is not your friend during an endurance run (after is another story). Stick to something with easily available sugars.

this.. regardless of what you eat make sure you do it during a training run and not a race....dont want no unpleasent gastric suprises

Put me in the camp of not needing to fuel training runs for a half. If you want to take a run or 2 and test what you can tolerate for the race that's a good idea if you plan to race that way.