Glucose Tablets - Spring Marathon

Ad2502

02/02/2009 at 19:30

I have seen some lucozade glucose tablets in Tescos. How do you take/use these. I have looked at gels but only want to carry one thing, my water bottle

I am just starting to get some long(ish) runs in and am looking for that extra boost.

Cheers

cougie

pirate

02/02/2009 at 19:37

Unwrap tablet.
Open Mouth.
Put tablet in mouth.
Let it dissolve or munch it.

If you have a water bottle - why not use orange lucozade sport ? Thats what you will get at the FLM - so you want to be sure that you can cope with it - so kill two birds with one stone ?

Gels are easy to carry - use a gel belt.

Ad2502

02/02/2009 at 19:55

Thanks for that nice sarcastic answer. I hope all the people on here are as helpful as you.

barongreenback

02/02/2009 at 20:11

I don't think that answer was sarcastic, Adam. I think it was helpful (if a little obvious, but hey, you asked).

Lou7

02/02/2009 at 20:14

Oh - I thought so too! Good advice re lucozade sport. Didn't think Cougie was being unhelpful!

barongreenback

02/02/2009 at 20:15

Yup, I've just started stopping at my conveniently placed local Texaco for a bottle of lucozade on my longer runs. Not quite like running through a water station but it'll have to do for training!

Ad2502

02/02/2009 at 20:18

Apologies if it wasn't sarcastic. i'm very new to this running thing and really want to get this right.

Lou7

02/02/2009 at 20:18

I do that too sometimes - I run up to a shop and if it's busy go to the next one that is quiet. Then quickly run in, grab lucozade, pay for it and put any loose change in charity box to save me carrying it and do my bit for charity! And then carry on with the run!

Darrell

03/02/2009 at 14:07

Hi Adam Lloyd 3.

Good question you asked. Shows you take your running serious. I have used "Lucozade Glucose Tablets" and found them quite good actually. My advice is though be careful not to inhale through your mouth whilst chewing & running. These tablets are very very powdery when chewed. I have nearly chocked myself several times. Always wash them down with a small amount of water too.

Edited: 03/02/2009 at 14:13

cougie

pirate

03/02/2009 at 14:47

I was only being a weee bit cheeky.

I would go with gels rather than the tablets. Gels are dead easy to carry on a gel belt round your waist and you dont notice them. Typically I'll take one every 5 miles (possibly overkill, but its easy to remember the interval).

If you have tablets and you fumble them and drop them - you'll have lost them underfoot. With a gel - you'd only lose that one gel, and its easy to carry a couple more.

Swerve

03/02/2009 at 14:53

Darrell's right - you'll get your lungs and nasal passages coated in sickly-sweet powder. Not worth the bother, not designed for the activity.

Andy Ross 6

10/02/2011 at 17:19

I have tried both and I personaqlly found that the dextrose / glucose tablets fine with no problems.

I would keep them loose in a pocket thats not going to get wet ar damp, you can just pick them out and pop them in easy peasey . They are a bit chalky but in a wierd sort of way they also create a burst of saliva, not quiet opal fruits (or whatever they are call these days) but a little refreshing. No need to carry bottles around with you which I find a pain.

When I ran my first half marathon I carried two gel's with me in my hands, I am a bit of a tight arse and wont spend on gel belts etc however at about the five mile stage my hands became sweaty and one gel slipped away and i didn't stop to pick it because it was still very busy with runners !!!

If I was you try both on different long runs and see which one you feel works for you then stick with it on race day. good luck

Lanky Lad

10/02/2011 at 19:45

I tried a gel once that I got cheap once and found it sickly sweet and difficult to get down. I got the summer berries flavour I think and it was something like hi5 but I can't be sure. I just don't get on with them. plus you end up with a sticky packages with remnants of the gel. I don't like them but understand they are probably the best for longer runs. I used to carry glucose tablets. They do benefit from a drink with them and I think you get a big sugar high. I am not sure I like them neither. Not sure what that leaves.

Andy Ross 6

11/02/2011 at 19:22

Talking of glucose tablets - has anyone tried glucose powder ?

I have just started to use it on the days when I go for a run, just mix it with either water or fruit juice, for that exra burst of energy levels. Yesterday I ran 7.4 miles to work and 5 miles home from work and felt great on both runs without any loss of stamina, in fact the run home was very quick. I think that the glucose powder really does make a difference. It was a friend who suggested it, he competes at triathalons / iron man etc It is also cheap less than £1 in holland and barratt, for a box.

If you have tried it are there any pitfalls or side effects that i should be carefull with ?

Loxley Crawshaw

04/08/2011 at 14:05

When we used to go on long MTB rides (I know it's not running) we used to use powdered glucose, can't remember the name name but we used to call it blue wizard because of the box. Be careful with these because they do work very well and quickly but they also wear off quickly and the resulting crash leaves you with less energy than you had before you take it. I would only use them in conjunction with carb gels and only at the end of the run in the torturous last few miles.

Loxley Crawshaw

04/08/2011 at 14:43

In addition to my other post and I'm by no means an expert but it is easy to overkill on your run feed strategy. For typical 15 miler I would eat a banana 30 mins before the run a carb gel at the halfway point (usually GU but hey are all much the same)and I take a couple of Gluco Tabs wrapped in cling film in my pocket. I take these between 10 and 12 miles. For the marathon (I'm training for the Loch Ness Marathon) I'm planing another gel at 20 and maybe a couple of Gluco Tabs at 22\23 and that's it.

mountiangoat

04/02/2013 at 20:56

I tried taking those glucose tablets while doing a long run recently, didnt work well, had some kind of sugar-related crash i think. felt awful lightheaded etc. . havent taken them before, and have done the same run before without feeling bad. would carb gels be better for lasting energy or would bananas do the trick? training for my first marathon, ive read that these things are almost essential once muscle glycogen runs out, so I am wanting to replenish my energy but dont think lucosade pills work for me. any advice ye marathoners?

Loxley Crawshaw

06/02/2013 at 16:59

I forgot I'd posted on this. I run ultra distance now and I now realise I used to carry way too much on my runs. Now I don't anything for 10 miles or less. I take 1 small choclate biscuit (Club, Penguin etc). If it's race I will take a gel. For 13 to 20 i'll take 2. My advice: Eat a good breakfast and for training runs try to run through the loss off energy. This will train your body to metabolise fat better. Take some gels just in case though, they work really quick. Good luck.

AgentGinger

06/02/2013 at 17:27

more fun that glucose tablets is to pop a Berocca in your cake hole around mile 20, it'll certainly liven you up.

M.r Zuvai

pirate

06/02/2013 at 18:06

only if you use a Berocca Boost