can't stand gels

[gromit68]

I'm doing a sprint tri for the first time and need to figure out nutrition during the race. I've tried various gels and can't get past the consistancy issue. Any suggestions as to what I should try next?

[zoom-zoom]

I don't mind some gels, but I greatly prefer Jelly Belly Sport Beans.

[OakLeaf]

If you're good at forcing yourself to drink during the bike, at sprint distance that should really be plenty. Mix your beverage a little strong, maybe. That's what I did. I think I could have had a bit more, but I wasn't able to make myself drink everything I had, either.

[Owlie]

I can't get past the texture either. It's like wood glue and snot. I take the Clif shot blocks with me. I also want to try the sport beans, but I can't find them.

Now that I think about it, someone should make sport gummy bears, if only for the novelty and entertainment factor. Yes, I was one of those kids who took great pleasure in squishing the poor things vertically and then biting their heads off...then I went on to set them on fire in college...

[zoom-zoom]

Now that I think about it, someone should make sport gummy bears, if only for the novelty and entertainment factor. Yes, I was one of those kids who took great pleasure in squishing the poor things vertically and then biting their heads off...then I went on to set them on fire in college...

Try Sharkies. They are kinda like gummy bears and taste pretty good, too.

[jessmarimba]

I don't do gel/gu either. Gag. I second the suggestions you've been given and will also suggest the gummies that luna and the honey stinger people make.

If you try the goopy honey stingers, throw the packets away asap - they will glue themselves to everything :)

I've also just used candy - peanut m&ms are good if you can eat.

[Owlie]

Try Sharkies. They are kinda like gummy bears and taste pretty good, too.

Okay, I'm going to have to get me some of those. "Hey, it's a shark! NOM."

...yes, I'm easily amused. And my inner child is a ten-year-old boy.

[zoom-zoom]

Okay, I'm going to have to get me some of those. "Hey, it's a shark! NOM."

...yes, I'm easily amused. And my inner child is a ten-year-old boy.

I have a 9.5 year old boy. He LOVES Sharkies. :D

[salsabike]

luna moons also good.

[colby]

Whatever you can eat on the go. :) Some of the gels have pretty nasty taste+texture, but if you've tried several brands (Gu, hammer, powergel, etc) I'd just try something else. I can't chew bloks/chomps at that pace, but sharkies and Luna moons and Sport Beans are much smaller.

For Real Food (tm), bananas are also a good choice.

As Oak suggested, the other option is sports drink. The advantage is you can get water+drink in one bottle if it's not mixed too strong. You might not need to worry too much about precise calorie intake depending on how long you expect the race to take.

Good luck!

[kermit]

Gu chomps...love em.

[alexis_the_tiny]

For a sprint distance tri, depending on your body, you could probably get away with a sports drink and maybe something to eat if your stomch gets growly. Sports beans are a nice. There's also Lara Bars, these raw food bars that taste really clean and go down easy. Mars bars, oreos or brownies are definitely edible and can give a nice energy boost if you don't mind the sugar content.

[gromit68]

So what kind of drink mixes are you talking about? I use Accelerade(?) after I run or bike. Is that something to drink while doing the event? Or should it be something along the Gatorade line? I'm thinking it will take 2-2 1/2 hours for the race. I'm a slow swimmer and runner.

[OakLeaf]

I use HEED, myself, but it's all what your body can tolerate. Doesn't Accelerade have a product that's meant to be used during the event/workout?

[colby]

I use HEED, myself, but it's all what your body can tolerate. Doesn't Accelerade have a product that's meant to be used during the event/workout?

I use Accelerade itself during long distance races/workouts, in and of itself it's just a sports drink with protein. They also have an "Accelerade Hydro" drink that I think doesn't have the protein, or something (haven't tried it). That would work if you can tolerate it. I only eat on the bike so I don't have to eat on the run, or maybe use the Accelerade/something on the bike and then sharkies/moons/beans on the run if you need some fuel, since it's much harder to carry sports drink.

I also like HEED for short distances, several races around here use it on the run. A lot of people I know use nuun (less/no sugar) but I haven't tried it during a race yet - I have been Sticking With What Works. ;)

[marni]

FRS ( free radical scavenger) a sports/electrolyte/all natural energy drink in powder form also makes a chewable candy very similar in texture to starburst candies. I love them and the FRS powder- that's all I generally use although I do keep two gu packets in case of emergency and if I have to use them, I swallow the thing in one big gulp just to get past the texture.

marni

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'd rather eat actual food. Or at least something that's somewhat close to food. :rolleyes:

[Owlie]

I'm one of those people who can't do real food, at least not in summer. I'll keep that suggestion of peanut M&Ms in mind for October, though.

[OakLeaf]

I had difficulty making myself even drink all my HEED during my first and so far only tri. Real food isn't an option for most people at their lactate threshold, I don't think.