ewww, GU

[Eden]

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.

[tjf9]

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!

[DebbieDowner]

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.

[OakLeaf]

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).

[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.

[Grog]

Clif shot, cranberry-raspberry flavour.

Think of it as a spoonful of jam.

[Eden]

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.

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.

[zia]

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.

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.

[colby]

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.

[Running Mommy]

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.