Shot Bloks, GU, Accelerade, Oh My!

[Bikingmomof3]

As some of you know I am throwing myself feet first into running. Now I need advice, suggestions, personal prefernces, etc., please.

I need to stay very hydrated. Yes, I am aware everyone needs to. I need to a tad bit more. I dehydrate eaisly and sweat profusely. If I do not stay almost over-hydrated, very nasty things happen (severe migraine, sugar bottoms out...).

So, I have been looking online and have found many seemingly wonderful products. Which is best? How do they taste? I can figure out when and how to take these suppliments, I just need some advice as to which is worth the money and which are not. Also, which are decent tasting verses tres nasty.

Right now I am looking at:
Clif Shot Bloks
Clif Shots
GU
Accelerade (I assume this could be made up and carried in a bottle?)

The only one I can buy locally are the Clif Shots. So, I cannot taste test anything, without spending a fortune on S/H to try one little package. Such is my lot in life.

Any and all advice is as always greatly appreciated. TIA!

[Bluetree]

I'm not a big fan of the gels, mainly because when I'm on the bike the stuff seems to end up everywhere: my chin, hands, handlebars... (same with my fluid replacement drinks). Plus, if there's no trash can handy there's no way to get rid of a sticky, used gel packet without shoving it back in your back pocket. I like the shot blocks a lot because they're easy to pop in and not messy at all... You can also adjust your caloric intake by the number of blocks you injest (each one is about 33 calories). Several of the flavors also come caffeinated. The only downside is they can stick to your teeth (like gummy bears) and you have to wash it down with something.

For my fluids, I have taken a liking to MotorTabs. They are tablets that dissolve in water, so you can keep extra tabs handy. They taste like (not so sweet) fruit punch and best of all, if they spill on me there is no stickiness involved.

[Grog]

Clif Shots - the lemonady taste - is awesome, but I get pretty much the same result with $3/can lemonade (diluted at less than recommended strength) from the grocery store with a pinch of salt. Both taste great and have carbs + electrolytes.

[Bella]

I've tried all the gels it seems. Running is particularly hard on my digestive system - but Accelerade gels are the easiest (a thinner consistency than others, so it feels you can drink it). It is also the only one recommended for activity over three hours. Others are designed for a quick burst for an hour's workout or two. Accelerade is also gentler on my stomach and it claims it is good for those that are hypoglycemic.

As for your electrolyte loss, try supplementing with tabs in addition to your gels.

[KSH]

The only one I can buy locally are the Clif Shots.

I love the Shots over the gels.

Now, I have only cycled with them... so not sure how they sit on a tummy 8 miles into a run... but they are easy to handle (no sticky gel everywhere!), and yummy. I get the cran-razz... those are good. The orange is GROSS (although my boyfriend prefers them?)... and the strawberry are so-so.

[limewave]

I like the Apple Cinnamon Hammer gel--especially this time of year.

[Shiraz]

I myself am transitioning back to running from biking and finding it a bit difficult to adjust. What I am finding is that I prefer the gels while running because I can slip them in my little pocket or pin them to my shorts where the packaging of the shot blocks are bulky. I prefer the shots overall but they don't travel well unless you are using a fanny pack or stash them on the road with your water bottle. I find it hard to pack my water. But I am so happy to be running again.

[Bikingmomof3]

I appreciate all the responses, keep them coming, please. I was wondering how the different ones would be transitioning from biking to running. As I cannot bike right now I am limited to running, which is fine by me. I just need something I can carry with me.

[chickwhorips]

i use the carboom energy gels for running (and biking). i really like them.

[Tri Girl]

Jennifer, I can get all that stuff right around the corner, and would be happy to send you some samples so you can find what you like. I had to try many diff. things before I decided what I liked. No need spending a fortune on something you may wind up hating.
I alternate between diff. things to keep it interesting. I tire easily of the same thing on long runs. I like the sport beans, and clif shot bloks, but gels are my old stand-by for shorter runs. On the longer runs (10+ miles) I bring a little variety to keep my taste buds happy. I like GU, but also like Hammer Gel and Crank. Just depends on my mood.


And, ummmmm, just wait a couple days and your mailbox might mysteriously bring you some samples of gels and Clif bloks......

[emily_in_nc]

I like "chocolate outrage" gu. Tastes just like canned chocolate icing. It's one of those things you either love or hate. If you like chocolate icing, you might want to give it a try. I've actually never tried any other gel flavors because on the bike I tend to go for Clif bars or homemade cookies, bars, etc. over gels.

I run a little (and I do mean a little!), but not long enough to need to eat or drink anything during the run other than water. I just make sure to have a little snack beforehand. Tonight's snack wasn't too easy on the digestive system - a plum and some peanuts. Can you say intestinal cramps before 2 miles were up?!

Emily

[Lise]

I bought a case of Accelerade Gel last year when I was training for the marathon. Turns out, I hate gels. Argh! I've been consuming them on my long runs, though, like a good cheap midwesterner. I don't like the consistency--hard to swallow--the taste--too sweet--the drip factor--I always manage to get some on myself. That said, they are very easy to carry on a long run. But when I run out, I won't be buying any more. I love the Clif Shot Bloks. The CranRazz are my favorite. I find them easy to eat out of my bento box on the bike, but it would be harder to carry them on a run, unless you run with a fanny pack type thing. The Sport Beans are good, and only a little bulkier than the gels. I particularly like the orange ones--a little salty, and not so sweet.

You must drink at least 4 oz water with any one of those things. I know you'll be on top of the hydration. On long summer rides, I take Accelerade in one bottle, and water in another. You can carry a little baggie of Accelerade to mix in your water bottle, if you don't mind carry stuff and stopping to mix it. That's never been worth it to me on a run. Eating on the long runs has made a huge difference for me. I can go about 8 miles before I really need to take in some calories. I could've used about double the amount of calories I took in on the marathon last year, but it's hard to carry that much stuff with you! So, I eat gels. I think I will try a Clif Shot or two, though, and see if I like them any better than the Accelerade gels. Good luck!

[chickwhorips]

how does everyone carry their water when they run? my goal is to run the 7 mile trail i use to hike all the time when i get back to phoenix. only problem is the heat and i know i'll have to carry water. i hate having things in my hands and have considered purchacing a small camelback, though don't want anything bouncing when i run. i know i'm so picky... don't even get me started on running pants!

[Tri Girl]

If I need lots of water, I wear the Camelbak, but if I only need 20 oz, I'll wear my water belt (water bottle on belt thingy). The Camelbak has never bothered me, no motion on my back, but the sloshing sound drives my DH crazy when he runs with me. It doesn't bother me. Sometimes on the trail I run around here I wear my bottle belt, but stash an extra one, and loop back to get it when I run out of the one I'm carrying.

[Lise]

I hate carrying things, and I hate wearing things. But. Sometimes you can't plan your entire route around water fountains in the parks. So I bought an Amphipod water bottle belt. It's not the easiest thing to use, but I can carry 32 oz of water. It doesn't slosh. I shove the belt as low as possible on my hips. It also has a pouch, making it easier to carry beans, bloks, or gels.

For runs < 5 miles, I plan around the water fountains. Alas, those will soon be turned off for the winter.