Shot Bloks, GU, Accelerade, Oh My!

[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.

[mcoleman]

I use gels, sport beans & blocks on long runs. It is nice to have more variety than just gels. The fruitier ones seem to be better. I am a diehard chocoholic, but the chocolate (or vanilla) gels just don't work for me. I do like the mocha, mocha.
I love, love, love the cran-razz blocks, but I have to stop to eat them. (One of these days I will remember to open the package before I head out.)
We are lucky to have a park with water fountains at about halfway on my normal 10 mile route, but for really long runs, DH wears a fuel belt and we refill with water. I also have running shorts that have a pocket across the back, so I carry the food.
Another option is to do loops and use your house or car as a rest stop.
Most larger races have samples in the race bags or somewhere. We are just finishing blocks from DH's Ironman in June and sport beans from the cycling championship Labor day. We love samples

[indysteel]

Jennifer, here are several links that you might find helpful from bicycling.com on staying hydrated and fueled during endurance activities:

http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4780-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4999-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4997-1,00.html

[Offthegrid]

I like the shot bloks a lot. They are much better than gels, IMHO. I got some samples with the last pair of shoes I ordered. If you use gels, just make sure to drink at least a cup of water with it or you could be more prone to stomach problems.

[Bikingmomof3]

Jennifer, here are several links that you might find helpful from bicycling.com on staying hydrated and fueled during endurance activities:

http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4780-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4999-1,00.html
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...4997-1,00.html

Thank you. I will print these out. I cannot even get midly dehydrated and running around with a full tummy of water does not work-I tried.

[Deborajen]

I like "chocolate outrage" gu. Tastes just like canned chocolate icing.

Now that sounds good! I'll have to try that - I can easily pig out on chocolate icing.

I like gels when running. My blood sugar tends to be at the low end so I eat a half gel pack every half hour and it keeps me going. Power Gel makes a Vanilla and a Citrus flavor and I like both. Power Gel has started adding extra sodium, which can be helpful when you sweat a lot. My gel preference, though, is Gu. Orange and Lemon are both good, but always wash them down with water. Gu is a little bit thicker than Power Gel so it isn't as messy. I always stuff a baby wipe or two in my pockets along with the Gu packets 'cause I can't stand having sticky hands.

Besides gels, Sports Beans are handy and not as messy but if they get really hot they'll stick together, plus they rattle around in pockets, and they're chewy which I don't really care for when running and huffing and puffing.

CWR, I have a Camelbak Alterra which is a lumbar Camelbak, and I love it. After pulling it snug around my waist, I never notice any bouncing - that would bother me, too. It holds about 22 ozs. and it has a couple of small pockets in front for gels and a couple of zipper pockets in back for car keys, etc. I use it all the time for running 10 mile distances, etc.

Deb

[tygab]

I like Gu pretty well, just tried out the vanilla bean it's pretty good. It's easy to get down even when I don't feel like eating, but I also like the Shot Blocks and Sharkies. I wash all three down.

Both are easy to carry and I don't have a problem with the wrappers, sticky or not .

I also favor the tried and true banana. I don't find myself enjoying bars as food during a long exertion effort, probably because they are dry and I don't need another thing taking away water from me, but they are fine for a pre-ride or snack.

For long rides it's 1 water 1 gatorjuice. Short rides 1 water. I've been running indoors so I just have water on the treadmill, but my sister who marathons (Chicago coming up) uses a "Fuel belt" which is a belt that can hold many little flasks of water or stuff. It also distributes the weight around the waist more evently.

[Dogmama]

Banana strawberry power gel. Yeah, messy & icky especially when they smear on the cell phone in your jersey pocket, but it's better than littering. Problem is, they really need a good swig of water afterwards. I don't like to carry anything when I run either.

I'm a died-in-the-wool chocoholic, but cannot eat anything chocolate while I exercise. Gags me.

[HillSlugger]

CWR, I have a Camelbak Alterra which is a lumbar Camelbak, and I love it. After pulling it snug around my waist, I never notice any bouncing - that would bother me, too. It holds about 22 ozs. and it has a couple of small pockets in front for gels and a couple of zipper pockets in back for car keys, etc. I use it all the time for running 10 mile distances, etc.

Deb

I have a Camelbak Bluewater lumbar pack. I love it for biking but I hate the way the hose swings and bounces when I run. I've just ordered a Nathan Triangle bottle belt. I'm hoping I'll like that better.

I love ShotBloks (Crann-Razz rocks!) for rest stops but the chewing-while-running thing, not so much. I'm going to give GU a try.

[Bikingmomof3]

I've just ordered a Nathan Triangle bottle belt. I'm hoping I'll like that better.

I bought one and I have used it a few times. I still have not found a place I like it. I need to maybe place it lower on my hips? I shall keep experimenting.