Energy Gels--Whats everyone use?

[ericjoe]

I plan to use gels more in my training for Pittsburgh then I did in past races. In the past I have not managed gels very well and I didn't use them much at all on my long training runs. I have had issues with bonking between 20-23 miles. I am trying to decide what gels to use. I have tried Powerbar and Clif. Any feedback from others would be great including what you use and how often you use them in a marathon.

Thanks
Eric

[burgrunner]

We have been using Hammer Gels for a while now. They seem to go down and stay down a little better than some of the other kinds.

Personally, I need to do a better job trying to get them down during a marathon. I usually take one around 13 or 14 miles and I try to get in another at around 20. However, this one is hard for me to take for some reason and I seem to neglect taking it. I am fairly certain that it would help me in the late stages of a race. I would suggest that you time them with water stations and take them just before you get water. Make sure that you practice this on your long runs to make sure your stomach can handle them.

[frojoe23]

Hammer Gel is the way to go for me.

My first two marathons, I used PowerGel and I just didn't like them very much. I used them on my longer long runs and they didn't seem to do anything but make me sick. I had more issues with the plain ones than any of the flavored ones.

The Hammer Gels seem to go down a lot smoother and I don't "burp" them up any. Plus, they use maltodextrin, which is more of a slow-release carb (basically a starch chain). I haven't had any problems with them.

I try to take one early in the marathon somewhere around 10 miles (probably should put one down sooner), and then around 17 or 18 miles. Looking back on it, the marathons where I've been able to take two gels and get that one down at around 18, I have stayed strong the last 10k.

As for taking them with water, it will help them go down and get out of your stomach faster to where you need it. However, I have no problem taking them without water and actually never have. The Hammer Gel just seems a bit smoother and easier to digest.

If you'd like to try a couple, let me know and I'll give you some of my stash.

[ericjoe]

Thanks for the response guys. I have had some stomach issues with gels too. I think that's why I didn't get good at taking them. I was looking into ordering some gels soon. Jaron--if you don't mind I will take you up on that offer to try a Hammer gel before I order some. As far as taking them without water, I think i would have trouble with that. The ones I tried were really thick and hard to get down not to mention sickening sweet.

[frojoe23]

I'll get some Hammer Gels to you. They don't seem to be overly sweet - some of them have a bit of tang to them (Raspberry, Orange), but I just love the plain old vanilla. On the colder runs, I usually "massage" my gel for about 10 minutes or so before I take it. That way it is nice and smooth going down. The cold seems to make them a little thicker.

[zach]

While I do not have marathon experience I have plent of 2plus and 4-6hour 'experiences' to contribute to the conversation. I have had the same issues as mentioned above with gels while running. No issues whatsoever fueling while biking but running for me the belly gets a little pissed. I highly recomend the EFS liquid shot:
www.personalbestnutrition.com/cgi-bin/pbn/685.html

It is the best that I've found for not coming back up or the dreaded burp complex that lasts forever. I like to just sip it every 2 miles or so. They are 5+oz and carry 400mg each so just figure out your 'calories/hr' that you can realistically handle and go from there. The best part is that they have a boatload of electrolytes as well so no other supplementation is needed for hot races.

I have found that nutritional is different for everyone but at the time-periods that a marathon lasts it is a necessity to have some sort of a plan. Just make sure you practice it in your long runs.

[flyinghighrunner]

For the marathon, I've used GU, take one shortly before the start while hydrating, and then take one every 40-45 minutes unless my stomach is acting up. That usually leaves me carrying four (in a pouch) unless I have some course support or if the race has some along the way. I've tried powergel but find it more thick and harder to get down. I only use them in training for a few of my long runs, usually nothing regular. Hope to see you up in Pittsburgh, I'm already registered for the marathon.