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KSC083

62 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Aug 23, 2007 3:18 PM

gels and drinks

If I bring gels, I need to bring water as well. If I bring gatorade, that's all I need for my carbs, water, and electrolytes. So, why gels? Why do some people use them as well? I'm just getting into the 10-15 mile distances of my training and am a pretty big guy, 185 5'11". I'm coming off of an 8 month obsession with weight training so I burn lots of fuel. Since my distance is just now starting to pick up, I starting to see the need to refine my refueling approach.
Also just set a new PR last week of 10 miles in 1:17:22

jrich7970

238 posts since
Oct 1, 2007

1. Aug 24, 2007 11:54 AM

in response to: KSC083

quote:<HR>Originally posted by KSC:
If I bring gels, I need to bring water as well. If I bring gatorade, that's all I need for my carbs, water, and electrolytes. So, why gels? Why do some people use them as well? <HR>

For a variety of reasons.

1, some people don't like the taste of gatorade

2, at a race, there is ALWAYS water (this can be a real issue if you train on gatorade, and all of the sudden, the marathon your running uses something else)

3) gels weigh less than gatorade and fit in your pocket easily

pass2086

88 posts since
Sep 30, 2007

2. Aug 24, 2007 12:06 PM

in response to: KSC083

In a marathon race in particular, it can be hard to get enough carbs from the sports drinks they have along the course. Each of those little cups probably only gives you 4 ounces, so if you get a cup every time, you end up with 50 ounces. I think that ends up being about 300-350 calories. In my last marathon, I ate 600 calories of the Cliff shot blocks (basically the same as gels, but I like the taste better) and took a little sports drink. I also like being able to skip some of the water stops if I'm not getting too dehydrated. For context, I'm 6', 180 lb.

For training runs, it's less of an issue because you're not as concerned with maintaining your optimal speed. So I think some sports drink or even water is fine on those as long as you feel like you have enough energy. On my 20-milers, I tend to do a few shot blocks, but on 15-milers, I pretty much leave everything behind.

I'd also echo the comment on ending up with a random sports drink at the race. I train with Gatorade or Powerade, and at my last marathon they had Cytomax, which kind of made me want to puke. Some people recommend using whatever will be at your race during training runs to make sure your stomach (and taste buds) get used to it.

jrich7970

238 posts since
Oct 1, 2007

3. Aug 26, 2007 8:26 AM

in response to: KSC083

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Downhill Racer:

I'd also echo the comment on ending up with a random sports drink at the race. I train with Gatorade or Powerade, and at my last marathon they had Cytomax, which kind of made me want to puke. Some people recommend using whatever will be at your race during training runs to make sure your stomach (and taste buds) get used to it.<HR>

It's always a good idea to do this if you plan on using a sports drink, but even then this can backfire. The PDR (Philly half marathon) a few years back was taken over by Elite, and they stopped using Gatorade. They ended up using something else (can't recall anymore), but it was a product that you could only buy in quantities that cost $25.

That ticked me off. They raised the price of the race, and to just test the sports drink they were using would cost me an extra $25, and if I didn't like it, I was screwed.

I stuck with (and continue to stick with) gels.

KSC083

62 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Aug 26, 2007 2:12 PM

in response to: KSC083

Thanks for the replies. What's everyone's favorite gels and why? And how often do you use them during your runs and at what distance do you start to use them?

jrich7970

238 posts since
Oct 1, 2007

5. Aug 26, 2007 3:17 PM

in response to: KSC083

quote:<HR>Originally posted by KSC:
Thanks for the replies. What's everyone's favorite gels and why? And how often do you use them during your runs and at what distance do you start to use them?<HR>

If you have access to many, then try them all out. They only cost about $1 US.

For me? I use them every 5 miles or so. OK, if I'm running only 8 miles, then I don't use one. If I'm going 10, then I'll use one after 5.

They're cheap enough that you can try them without breaking the bank.

As for which ones I use? Gu is my favorite, but I have tried them all (PowerGel, e-Gel, HammerGel, ClifShots...)

mkraus9

17 posts since
May 24, 2007

6. Aug 29, 2007 12:52 PM

in response to: KSC083

if you are drinking gatorade, your drinking high fructose corn syrup. It is hard on your body to turn into energy. there are other products that don't and are better for you. If you can find a product that has multiple carbs, not just HFCS or only Maltodextrin. Science as shown that using something with multiple carbs will let you get up to 30% more energy. fyi

------------------
Michael

jrich7970

238 posts since
Oct 1, 2007

7. Aug 29, 2007 1:35 PM

in response to: KSC083

quote:<HR>Originally posted by mkraus9:
if you are drinking gatorade, your drinking high fructose corn syrup. It is hard on your body to turn into energy. there are other products that don't and are better for you. If you can find a product that has multiple carbs, not just HFCS or only Maltodextrin. Science as shown that using something with multiple carbs will let you get up to 30% more energy. fyi

<HR>

Science has shown this? Great, I'll bite...show me the literature.

As for Gatorade...if you buy the powdered mixture, it has NO HFCS.

mkraus9

17 posts since
May 24, 2007

8. Aug 30, 2007 11:29 AM

in response to: KSC083

check out the following link and go to the article called
"Oxidation of exogenous glucose, sucrose, and maltose during prolonged cycling exercise"
http://www.infinitnutrition.eu/information/[/URL" target="_blank">

also check out the product comparisions

Mike

------------------
Michael

jrich7970

238 posts since
Oct 1, 2007

9. Aug 30, 2007 9:13 PM

in response to: KSC083

quote:<HR>Originally posted by mkraus9:
check out the following link and go to the article called
"Oxidation of exogenous glucose, sucrose, and maltose during prolonged cycling exercise"
http://www.infinitnutrition.eu/information/[/URL" target="_blank">

also check out the product comparisions

Mike

<HR>

I checked them out. And, although I can't complain about the study, it's pretty interesting, but my only comment (OK, more than one comment)...

It's one study. I'm not trying to be a PITA. But, after all the stuff out there, there's only one study.

Also, this is a commercial site. Not that that's also a bad thing, but, sites like that lead me to be a little suspicious. If I was promoting my product, you'd be darn sure that I would scour the internet searching for that one study that made my product look good...

Would it make me change my gel eating? Nope. Would it make be buy that product? No way.

And, there's a few "misconceptions". They (at least in the case of the Gatorade) don't differentiate between powdered and liquid products. Oh, yes, they have a picture, but that doesn't really tell it all, right? Gatorade Thirst Quencher, and Gatorade Endurance Formula BOTH in the liquid form have HCFS, however, BOTH in the powdered form do NOT have HCFS.

Oh, and the Gatorade site it self says this about Endurance Formula.."Sucrose, Glucose, and fructose optimize energy delivery...", yet the website you cited says, about Endurance formula, "does not use fructose".

Either someone is lying or didn't do their research.

The site is a little misleading...A sin of omission, IMO.

As far as due diligence goes, I did not check out all the other claims, and I didn't not check out any other of the products. Just pointing out a few, not inconsitencies, but, things left out.

Bottom line...do research, figure out what's best for you, don't trust commercial sites on face value.

mkraus9

17 posts since
May 24, 2007

10. Aug 31, 2007 10:02 AM

in response to: KSC083

I know there are more studies done on it other than that one. I will find them a post them here.

if you looked at the product on the link, how can you go wrong being able to cutomize a drink that is made specifically for YOU including the amount of calories, electrolytes, ect. to get everything you need in 1 drink and not have to take salt tabs, gels, protein bars ect...

Monique Sawicki won the 24 hour female solo national mountain bike championship and she only consumed Infinit for the entire race and said she has never felt better during or after the race.
check out http://www.teammata.com/news/[/URL" target="_blank">

------------------
Michael

jrich7970

238 posts since
Oct 1, 2007

11. Sep 4, 2007 10:25 AM

in response to: KSC083

quote:<HR>Originally posted by mkraus9:

if you looked at the product on the link, how can you go wrong being able to cutomize a drink that is made specifically for YOU including the amount of calories, electrolytes, ect. to get everything you need in 1 drink and not have to take salt tabs, gels, protein bars ect...

<HR>

Mike,

While I'm sure that Infinit is a great product, it would have been nice to let us in on that fact that you have a relationship with Infinit.

Aug 23, 2007 3:18 PM

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