Runners Energy: gels, goos, bloks, chews, etc

I personally could never stomach any of the gels. The consistencty would make me gag. I'd use the sport beans. But it has been about 4 years since I was a long distance runner so I'm not sure where they are available anymore.

I like the Sports Beans (made by Jelly Belly) and the Gu Chomps. Anything I've tried is basically about $1 a pop. You should find a wide array of choices at your local sporting goods store (Academy Sports) or if you have a local running store (Fleet Feet). Before you buy in bulk, I suggest buying them 1 at a time to make sure they work for you. Not everything sits well on the stomach.
As far as the Hammer Gel in a tub, I've heard of people putting it into a ziplock baggie & squeezing it out from the end. Sounds kinda messy though!
Most running/training programs will suggest that you carry "portable nutrition" on runs about 6 miles or longer (anything over about an hour). Otherwise, your body doesn't function as well once it's used up the normal nutritional stores. Having said that, I did 8 miles this morning without anything b/c I was having stomach issues & the thought of a Gu gel made me want to vomit.

I've tried every goo and chew and bean out there. I liked the Jelly Belly sports beans (no caffine) best and I do carry a couple of packs 'in case of emergency'.

I get the best results when I take and eat actual food. I usually make a 'scone' like bread. It's got whole wheat flour, oats, salt, buttermilk and butter in it. I eat one portion before a long run and split the rest during the run. My best results are almost always when I use those. I make it off the top of my head, I'll try to write down what's in it next time next time. Another thing I've round that works well is a little debbie oatmeal cream pie. I can get two of those in my running belt and they have saved me on 15+ milers. I almost always hit a banana somewhere in the run and will occassionally drive my route and leave fruit packs (oranges etc) before I get started. I do use salt tabs too. I'm a very salty sweater (I know, eiw) and I find that I cramp if I dont keep my sodium up.

I like the sport beans when I drive over to TaeKwonDo... because they are awesome good and work well BUT take a while for me to eat. Gu, on the other, I use during my runs because it is much easier to get into me and quickly. I also use only Gatorade when I run in the heat... as opposed to water... just seems to work better for me than water alone.

I'm not a big fan of anything gooey. Gu's and gels are absolutely nauseating to me, but I'm sort of ok with the black cherry shot blox. They are made by Clif bar I thing, Im training for a half, so I do need to find some options I can stomach as well. I've been going to try Nuun drink supplements, but haven found the fruit punch flavored ones anywhere...

Hey runners!

1. Suggest your favorite nutrition and why you like it

2. Where can I buy it in bulk, best pricing?

I don't currently use anything but I'm thinking it would help me to extend my "long" runs. I notice the powerbar gels are like a buck apiece. Ow! I saw I could buy Hammergel in a big bucket and get it cheaper - but then how the heck do I carry it with me, do they make reusable squirt bottles for that Tablespoon of goop?

Advice please! TIA!

I hate to admit it, but I have completely indiscerning tastes. So far, I have been able to digest anything I have thrown at my gut, and only aim for a very specific amount of carb replacement per time spent running. As such, I buy whatever is on sale (so long as it contains multiple sources of mono and di saccharides, that is, is not exclusively fructose, etc, I like to have multiple transport systems used). I bought a kajillion boxes of gu when performance bikes had them on an amazing sale, I bought the grocery outlet out of powerbar gels when they had them, and so on. Right now, Performance has Accel and Cliff shots on sale. It is not a terrific one, but it is less than $1 each. Join their buyers club, and you can earn 10% back on everything, as well. Oh, and I tend to buy gatorade in powder form from outlet stores, and then mix and carry on my fuel belt. That limits how many gels I need, and takes care of hydration and fueling all in one. But, you need a fuel belt with a huge capacity, and you end up looking like a dork. No prob for me, as that is my baseline.

All these things are really about personal preference with regards to flavor, taste and texture. Try different brands to figure out what you like.

These days I'm partial to Clif Bloks margarita flavor.

I love jelly beans, but I hate sports beans - too sweet for me while I'm running (go figure).

thanks for all the info! I'm trying shot blocks on my next run. The gels feel like I am trying to swallow a loogy, and I just can't do it! Disgusting! I read in runners world about using honey, anyone try that? I love the raisins, going to have to try that one too!

I usually alternate between clif shot blocks and powerbar gels (double latte flavor)...my gps watch is set to alert every 3 miles and I'll either take 3 blocks or a gel with some water. It really seems to help. I will say the shot blocks take a little getting used to because they're chewy...most of the time I chew a few times to break it up into smaller chunks and swallow whole. Still seems to work though :-)