Alternative's to Energy Gels - Training

tiredgirl ks

14/03/2006 at 14:54

I ran FLM last year and used Hi 5 energy gels in training and in the race. However, since I was nearly sick by the end of the race last year I can't stomach the thought of them again this year.

I'm not a fast runner - I'm aiming for 4:30 - 5hrs. Do I really need to take energy drinks / gels on board during the race or would plain old wine gums do the trick??

Gumps.

14/03/2006 at 14:55

Did you take enough water on board at the same time as the gels?

mellifera

pirate

14/03/2006 at 15:22

go gels are isotonic so aren't quite as gloopy. they don't taste great, but they're not bad.

wine gums would be fine though!

The Evil Pixie pirate

pirate

14/03/2006 at 15:25

you may have felt sick anyway just through effort and the heat
SIS are good as Mell says
otherwise
jelly babies or dried fruit??

Duck Girl

pirate

14/03/2006 at 15:30

KENDAL MINT CAKE

tiredgirl ks

14/03/2006 at 15:32

Yes I take loads of water on board.

It's not that I blame the gels for making me sick, it's the physchological (sp?) effect - just the thought of them makes me want to puke!

I tried one on Friday during a 17 mile run and it made my stomach churn.

I wanted to know if I'd be missing vital nutrients by taking Wine Gums as apposed to gels?

chickin

14/03/2006 at 15:56

iv never tried anything and need to start on sunday when i do my first half marathon. i dont even know where you get gels from!? are they from sports /running shops? i might just stick to wine gums and water i darent risk a dodgy tum.

cougie

pirate

14/03/2006 at 16:01

THere are lots of different gels out there. Hi5 even do chocolate ones. Yum..

You can do the FLM on just lucozade if you can handle that ?

Laurie - I don't bother with food on a half - I wouldn't try anything new this time. Introduce them on your long runs maybe ?

'kk' aka 'knackeredknees'

14/03/2006 at 17:23

I recently spoke to a guy who does mountain marathons like LAMM and Karrimor (as was).

Because you can't run absolutely all the time (too busy looking where your feet are going) and the fact that they are out for about 7 hours, bit like a 'not quite as fast as the others' marathon runner. He said he takes:- Kendal Mint cake, Eccles cakes, Fig rolls, jelly babies. He also does take gels, because the race organisers on these events insist that runners ahve emergency provisions, but almost never uses them.

Sarah Evans 19

16/04/2011 at 20:17

I have been training for my first marathon (8th May) and on the last few 3 long runs i have experienced really bad tummy cramps ( and diarrhea when i got home). Today i ran 11 miles and after a pain free first 5 miles I took my first gel - Banana Luozade, within 10 mins a needed the toliet quickly. My race is in 3 weeks and i am now tapering my training. what should i take on the race? Should i change to a different make of gel (I have used other makes a few months ago - SIS and dont recall any majoy problems) or do i risk it and try a new nutritional strategy (Malt loaf or jaffa cakes etc..) I visited my doctor a couple of days ago and he has said i also have IBS! Any suggestions on what i should now do on race day please...

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