Are energy gels important?

Just completed my first marathon (time 2:56), I was sceptical at first about gels as mentioned elite runners do not use them. However they train 100-150 miles per week so are used to it plus they only run for 2 hours opposed to us non elite running for 2.5 - 5 hours (dependant on standard)!

I used at 2 miles then every 3 miles after, so had 8 but they were the smaller Hi5 ones (summer fruits the nicest I'd say), they are a bit cheaper than SiS but are smaller so you prob need to consume more. I took them in between the water stops so I was consistently refuelling on a regular basis, which I think helped a lot. I did my last mile in 6:25 so I defo had energy at the end and avoided the wall!

Whether it is psycological or genuinely does help doesnt matter, it what ever gets you through to the finish in the best time! Gels are not hard to carry or hard to consume to why not use them?!

Good luck all, I'm glad to have my spring marathon out of the way already!!

According to what I've read your body can store around 2000 calories of energy, which is enough to get you through around 20 miles. Your body can process around 50-70 grams of carbohydrate per hour, i.e. 2 energy gels, which are around 100 calories each. Therefore take one every half hour all the way through the race to bridge the gap between 20 and 26 miles. I will take 6, so roughly 600 calories. Don't just take them at the end when you feel tired because your body needs time to process the energy. Once you've hit the wall you can't recover so take gels (or sugary drinks) all the way through.