ewww, GU

[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?

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!)

[divingbiker]

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.

[OakLeaf]

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.

[ny biker]

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.

[indigoiis]

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.

[katluvr]

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

[Susan Otcenas]

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?

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.

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.

[ny biker]

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...)

[OakLeaf]

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.