ewww, GU

I've tried to use GU during my long run, but I absolutely cannot stomach the gel. It's mostly the sticky, thick texture that gets to me. From talking with other runners, I've heard that GU is the best tasting energy gel. How do you all feel? Anyone else who's found something better?

I'm running my first half marathon on Nov. 7 and only have one more long run to try something out. On a side note- do you all find that it's imperative to use some sort of nutrition during a run that's lasting more than 60 min?

Please let me know what works for you and what might be worth one more shot!

(If there is already a thread on this that I missed, let me know!)

Sport beans are good, like jelly beans, and can be eaten a bit at a time instead of all in a slug like a gu.

On a training run I can go close to 90 minutes without nutrition without a noticeable decline in energy - but it takes me a LOT longer than that to run a 1/2. On longer training runs, I'll take in 100-150 calories every 40-45 minutes. Don't forget that at race pace you'll be burning calories a lot quicker than you do during training. On my first 1/2 last weekend, I didn't increase my intake, but I DEFINITELY noticed a boost from the gels. That is, my energy WAS declining, but so incrementally I hadn't noticed it until it came back.

I wouldn't be able to chew anything like Shot Blox or Sport Beans at race pace. It's hard enough to breathe just taking in a gel.

If you want to taste something worse than GU, try plain rice syrup and a pinch of salt in a gel flask. Yuk. But as a general rule I can't stand the wastefulness of single-serving gels.

If you have a beverage mix you like on the bike, maybe try mixing it very strong in a gel flask. Hammer Nutrition suggests doing that with Perpetuem, so I don't know why you couldn't do it with other products as well.

Gu works for me. I don't like really sweet things when I'm exercising so I stick with vanilla or orange which are not very sweet. I like the Gu Roctane too, which has limited flavors and I stick with orange-vanilla with that.

I used to buy Power Gels but that is much thicker than Gu, too thick for me.

Many years ago I tried Clif shots. They were too sweet for me, although I'm sure many people prefer them for that reason.

I did not eat anything on my half marathon, and I was fine. I ate a good carb heavy meal late the night before, got up at 4:40 and had my usual breakfast, and ran at eight. I had no issues with bonking or low energy. I ate immediately afterwards.

Anyone that state "I hate gu/gels" I have to chime in.
I was not fond of them...texture, sweet, icky. Then I discovered Chocolate Gu (Gu brand). When cool it is like fudge or icing that you squeeze in your mouth--YUM! And when worm..melted chocolate! I also often just do 1/2 a pack at a time. So you don't get sugar overload. (just carefully fold packet over and store--or hang on to for the next couple miles). My old running coach taught me 1/2 a packet trick...like eating one shot block.

Other option is cute up a energy bar (like cliff) to bite size and try that.

But do try Chocolate Gu...if you like chocolate that is.

K

GU (or any gels) definitely take some getting used to, but then again eating anything while on the go takes some practice. I personally prefer GU brand and I like to squeeze them into a flask. I tend to only use gels for very long races (cycling that is, not much of a runner here...) where I'll need/want more than one anyway though. I also like that you can get unflavored GU. I've mixed my own with plain + soda flavorings (I've used cola and gingerale).

I've also found that I really like Powerbar's "Gel Blasts". They are like a shot block with a bit of gel in the center - but they are a bit more firm than most blocks. For me this is a plus as I've found stickier blocks to be hard to eat.

I'm a fan of the Hammer gels. I think they are tastier than others I've tried and they go down easy for me.

When I ran my first (and only) marathon, I didn't do gels at all, but took the sports drink on course every 2 miles. I trained ahead of time with the type they would have on the course so I would be used to it. I found it very convenient not to have to worry about carrying gels or anything. At first, I found the drink (Cytomax) way too sweet, but once I got used to it, I was fine. And now, I actually like it!

i perfer the hammer gel, you can buy it in a larger container. I have one of the running belts with the small bottles I fill one with hammer gel and a little water mixed in so it is easier to get down. This way I do not feel as if I have to down a whole gel pack at once.

:D

I agree that chocolate Gu tastes like frosting. That's what they had at the gel station at the half I just ran (actually they had several flavors, and the volunteers were calling out what flavor they had, but I didn't care, just grabbed what I got, and it turned out chocolate).

I think this is really all about how we all have different preferences. To me, Gu tastes less like frosting than other brands. But then chocolate in any brand is probably more frosting-like than some other flavors would be.

I tried Hammer Gel once -- bought 2 packets, had one, found it so gross that I tossed the other one because I couldn't bear to choke it down.

To each her own. Which just means that we all need to go through a certain amount of trial and error to find what works.

Clif shot, cranberry-raspberry flavour.

Think of it as a spoonful of jam.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

I think this is really all about how we all have different preferences. To me, Gu tastes less like frosting than other brands. But then chocolate in any brand is probably more frosting-like than some other flavors would be.

I tried Hammer Gel once -- bought 2 packets, had one, found it so gross that I tossed the other one because I couldn't bear to choke it down.

To each her own. Which just means that we all need to go through a certain amount of trial and error to find what works.

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Indeed - its as personal as what foods you like or dislike. I can't gag down Hammer gels if I try... (nor am I able to stomach any of their drinks), but I know some people love them.

The real thing to take away is to try lots of things and do it *before* your event. It's no fun to get a surprise during your race/ride/run.

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Originally Posted by Eden

The real thing to take away is to try lots of things and do it *before* your event. It's no fun to get a surprise during your race/ride/run.

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Ack, yes. I tried gummy bears when getting on my bike in my first tri. I stuffed a huge handful in. I had such a dry mouth that they immediately turned into a thick, plastic-tasking, goopy, clod. I had to spit them out, and had an unpleasant taste in my mouth for the rest of the race.

Neutral on the GU. Tried it once. I clutched it in my hand like a security blanket and took occasional "hits" the entire run, and finished with brown, sticky, GU-py hands. Yuck. Need to find a new strategy, but it definitely kept me from crashing.

Honeystinger, like eating a spoonful of honey

The vanilla and chocolate gu gels are a thicker consistency - more like frosting (chocolate is super thick!). The banana/strawberry banana and plain ones seem to have the thinnest consistency. Some of the other flavors fall somewhere inbetween.

I use hammer, a mixture of banana and raspberry, but sometimes when I'm running it seems really strong flavored. They taste the most like fruit and the least like made-up-food (Gu is a good standby). Consistency is fairly thin, but it is sticky on your fingers. ;) Power Bar gels grossed me out. Clif's gels taste like brown rice syrup and fruit, which is exactly what they are... it's more of a woody taste (hard to describe) than the others.

I use a flask during training, but often use single-serve packets during races (that way if I drop something, I'm not screwed - AND I get multiple flavors). I can't handle caffeine (increases GI problems and limits my effort, ironically), though I like the flavor of GU Roctane's blueberry pomegranate (they have that flavor in Chomps which I use when I ride/hike). For anything over 90 minutes, I would definitely use the gel, at least every 45.

Alternatives... bloks/chomps/moons/sharkies (good, but you have to chew - moons and sharkies are smaller, bloks the biggest), sports beans (again with the chewing), sports drink (harder to carry, but maybe use what they have at aid stations if you can stomach it), or thin out the gels and put them in a flask. If you really only need 2 servings, add water and make it thinner. As you get comfortable with it, make it thicker and thicker until you can handle it straight.

When I'm riding on the bike trainer, I like to eat straight fruit. Bananas, grapes, whatever I have. I wish that was easier to do for long distances and more portable. :)

I cannot do any gel type substance. I love sweets, and even jelly doughnuts. (well they make me sick AFTER I eat them, so I don't anymore. But I do like them). I actually gag on energy gels, and yes I've tried them all. And I vomit everytime. ugh

But we sell quite a variety here at the shop. And like saddles, everyone has a most favorite- and a least fave.
We carry carb boom because they use fruit puree and pretty decent ingredients overall. They also just came out with a cranberry/grapefruit flavor that is not as sweet. So it's proving to be popular w/those that like things a bit less sweet and cloying.
Hammer has very similar ingredients and is very popular. It seems to be a bit thinner consistancy and does well in a flask.
Both carb boom and Hammer come in the envrio + wallet friendly jugs.
Gu tends to be well.. gooeyer. And their roctane scares me. I don't know why? Just the name I guess. And when I read about the "science" behind it I couldn't help but think "would I fail a drug test w/this stuff??". ha ha
It also has fructose, and I don't do well w/fructose during exercise.
But we do serve GU Brew electrolyte drink to our post ride crew. It has a clean taste. Carboom's drink does as well. We serve both.
Power gel also has fructose, and we only have one athlete that requests it.

At Interbike we found a very simple gel that is actually low on the glycemic index, and in testing performed well and got good reviews from all of our testers.
it's called "chocolate #9" and is made with simply Agave nectar and cocoa powder. They are a small company out of the NW (I believe) and I plan on ordering their product as it did so well in testing. Users that have blood sugar stabilization problems did exceptionally well on it. (we have a female xc racer w/diabetes that tested it). And those that are prone to hard sugar crashes loved how they didn't feel the big surge and crash. testers said they had a steady increase in energy that lasted a pretty long time.
For those of you not familiar w/agave nectar, it is VERY sweet, and you need very little of it to sweeten things.
One of our testers made her own agave concoction w/ a bit of berry puree, and said it worked ok, but the natural sugars in the fruit caused a bit of a spike in itself.

We test EVERYTHING before we sell it! Our customers trust our advice, and we want to lead them in the right direction. And there are definitely some dogs out there w/big marketing campaigns. So it's important to pass it all through the BS detector and decide for yourself.

Hope this helps...

Oh- and sport beans changed their formulation. They no longer use refined white sugar. AND their caffiene laced beans are less bitter.

We need to clone Running Mommy's store for the whole US. You guys are awesome. :D

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Originally Posted by minn

I've tried to use GU during my long run, but I absolutely cannot stomach the gel. It's mostly the sticky, thick texture that gets to me. From talking with other runners, I've heard that GU is the best tasting energy gel. How do you all feel? Anyone else who's found something better?

I'm running my first half marathon on Nov. 7 and only have one more long run to try something out. On a side note- do you all find that it's imperative to use some sort of nutrition during a run that's lasting more than 60 min?

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Personally, I love GU. I use regular & Roctane. In Roctane, I'm a fan of the blueberry pomegranate and the orange vanilla. The new pineapple flavor doesn't do it for me, but it's a good non-caffeine option (BP & OV have caffeine).

In regular GU, I prefer the chocolate and the Gingerbread. The gingerbread is amazing. :o

I need nutrition for anything longer than 60 minutes. In preparation for my half marathon on 10/18, I was *very* diligent about training my stomach, as much as my legs. My plan, which I stuck to, was 1 gu pre-race, then another at 30, 60, 90 & 110 minutes (basically 3 mi, 6mi, 9mi & 11 mi). I know that's way more than many people consume, but over and over in training, that was the level of nutrition my body needed to sustain my pace, so I stuck with it. Race day I was totally prepared and it worked great!

OTOH, I know many people that don't eat at all even for that distance. It all comes down to learning to read your body's signals.

I gotta say, I am one who really does not deal well with hot weather, but this summer I felt much better than ever before on long rides. I attribute the improvement to Gu Roctane and De Soto Cool Wings. (Gonna ask for a second pair of Cool Wings for Christmas...)

A little label reading in the pantry this afternoon, getting ready for my long run.

Blackstrap molasses has the same ratio of simple to complex carbs as rice or barley syrup; and calcium, magnesium and potassium out the wazoo. No sodium, so you'd definitely have to add a pinch of salt, but I do that anyway.

I have all this barley malt syrup I need to get rid of, so I mixed them half and half. I'll let you know if I start barfing at mile 6. ;)

Have you tried drinking your fuel?

Hammer Nutrition's, HEED (105 calories per dose) & Perpetuem (270 Cal. per dose) have worked great for me. I alternate between the two. Perpetuem can also be made into a paste (frosting consistency) if you don't want to drink it.

Molasses/barley malt syrup report:

It actually tastes pretty good. The malt syrup kept the molasses flavor from being overwhelming, and the molasses drowned out the nasty flavor of the malt. (I know I've had better tasting barley malt; this is Eden brand malt and Wholesome brand molasses.)

It didn't sit on my stomach quite as well as other gels. I don't know whether that's because of the mineral content, or whether it's somewhat acidic, or something else, or just what my stomach wanted to do today. It didn't cause me any real problems, just didn't seem to clear my stomach as easily as I'd like.

Bottom line, I'll try it one more time before I give up on the idea.

The only thing I've been able to tolerate on rides is CLIF Shot Blocks. I like that I can pop them out like Pez from the package and not get my fingers all sticky. I also like that they melt pretty easily in my mouth. My favorite is the Marguerita flavor -- a salt/sweet flavor. And they are so easy on the tummy.

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Originally Posted by Urlea

Have you tried drinking your fuel?

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Even an absolutely wonderful hydration pack like the Nathan Intensity is heavier than not carrying anything but gels, and relying on aid stations for water...

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Even an absolutely wonderful hydration pack like the Nathan Intensity is heavier than not carrying anything but gels, and relying on aid stations for water...

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Also I imagine some runners would have stomach problems with too much fluids.

You could always mix the mix stronger, if you wanted a higher ratio of calories/electrolytes to water.

Honestly, I don't understand how they say some runners over-hydrate on marathons and get hyponatremia. It's just not that easy to drink, let alone eat, and at most there's one aid station per mile - often less. :confused:

Why settle for Gu if you can have Gü

http://www.gupuds.com/


:D:D:D

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Originally Posted by papaver

Why settle for Gu if you can have Gü

http://www.gupuds.com/


:D:D:D

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Finally, someone's speaking my language!

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Originally Posted by papaver

Why settle for Gu if you can have Gü

http://www.gupuds.com/

:D:D:D

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OMG. Dear Gü, please come to the US.