Energy Gels

[Adair]

Any preferences anyone?

[ddenis66]

I like Torq gels. Maybe a bit thick (so I wash it down with water) but the Banoffee one is my favourite!

[stever]

They're mostly the misbegotten unguent of blister juice and boiled up horse carcass in my experience. So I've been going for Decathlon because they're cheap.

[Adair]

I've just purchased a box of 30 orange SIS ones from Amazon as the cheapest I could find, will see how they go, wouldn't normally use them unless running more than 13 miles but have to confess I did take one at the Chester half recently

[cheshirerunner]

SIS are good - alot better than syrupy Lucozade ;D.

[Mike Searle]

I have favoured the Powergels in the past, particularly the ones with added caffeine - but.
I only carry them for emergencies and use them very sparingly in very long distance training runs and events.
From my observations, a lot of runners over-rely on gels, potions and witches brews whereas part of my training strategies (as well as training my body for the demands of the event), I'm also looking to train my glycogen supply/sparing and fat burning systems as well.
By over-focusing upon gels, a runner can negate the fuel utilisation benefits from their longer training, whereas if they focus on fat burning then those systems become trained and 'the wall' or whenever fuel might typically run dry, can be delayed or even negated altogether because the body glycogen spares, utilising duel fuel tanks, ie: carbs and fat simultaneously as opposed to solely carbs with the problem of running out of gas when the pasta tank runs dry. Phew, that was hellova sentence!!

[Adair]

I needed 2 SIS energy gels just reading that

[Mike Searle]

It took me 2 chewy bars just writing it!

[cheshirerunner]

really guys - the Cheshire comedy circuit must be missing out! lol ;D

[Ed]

I use torq gels as well. They are a bit thick and it's good if you have a drink with them. I took one on the way up Winter Hill at the weekend and had to wash my hand in a puddle afterwards cos my fingers were stuck together!

The Strawberry Yoghurt and Rhubard & Custard ones do taste really nice though, and at least subconsciously I think they give a longer burn being thicker. Not tried the Banoffee one, I'll have to give it a whirl.

Without water I like the SIS ones as well.

[stever]

Do you also wear a hair shirt Michael? Seriously though, I think he's on to somethinig

Before the Sandstone, I did increasingly early morning long runs without much food, to help the fat burning mechanism. If you then allow yourself a few more treats in the actual event you get a correspondingly larger boost if your body's used to going without.

There's no denying though that my favourite training run involved a slice of fruit cake at the Summer Trees caff

[ed]

That does sound worth considering. Certainly not something I've ever considered. I cycled long distances before I ran long distances, and it's much easier getting the calories on board when cycling so you don't have to rely on fat-burning. I could easily get in 500 calories an hour on my bike so never really got into fat-burning territory even on 4 hour rides. Trying to do the same running I'm finding difficult as I just don't want to eat much when running, so I'll give the foodless morning runs a go some time. Steve - how far are these long runs without much food?

But to be fair Steve is kind of a retro hard man - his bike hasn't got any gears as they're for wimps, and his idea of an Energy Gel is a mushed-up banana!

[Mike Searle]

My strategy is to take the gels or whatever you prefer with you and then don't use them!
they're there for the emergency - you know, when you start getting pins & needles in your hands, images of mars bars flood your brain, your lips have a blu-ish tinge and don't work properly and your speech starts to slur. (Some runners may recognise those symptoms from other activities!). And try and wear 'untried' kit and shoes to maximise chaffing discomfort (if your hair shirt is in the wash!).