57 Replies
Last post:
Mar 28, 2008 4:24 PM by
Lauren Loves Tasty Cakes...
307 posts since
Nov 21, 2007
Mar 25, 2008 4:52 PM
Energy gels, bars, etc
So I'm just curious what everyone eats during long runs......... I currently use GU but I would like to change it up a bit.
2,063 posts since
Aug 21, 2007
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
Uh-oh. I predict by this time tomorrow there will be 743 replies to this question.
I switched to eating Snickers last year, initially ate sports beans and Clif Shots. But now I'm kind of back to the Gu, sometimes some peanut butter crackers if I need something more substantial. I still like the teeny Snickers and washed down with water. But I really don't like the sports beans anymore. The gel block things made me throw up. Gu is much thinner and easier to swallow than Clif Shots, though Clif Shots taste better. Power Bar shots taste like sh!t.
That's my take.
307 posts since
Nov 21, 2007
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
Uh-oh. I predict by this time tomorrow there will be 743 replies to this question.
I switched to eating Snickers last year, initially ate sports beans and Clif Shots. But now I'm kind of back to the Gu, sometimes some peanut butter crackers if I need something more substantial. I still like the teeny Snickers and washed down with water. But I really don't like the sports beans anymore. The gel block things made me throw up. Gu is much thinner and easier to swallow than Clif Shots, though Clif Shots taste better. Power Bar shots taste like sh!t.
That's my take.
Nita - I think you were the first one I heard awhile back that ate the Snickers. I haven't tried that yet. Lately GU has been upsetting my stomach.
2,063 posts since
Aug 21, 2007
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
That's exactly the problem I have with the gels. Seems when I eat something more "normal food"-like, Snickers or peanut butter crackers or pretzels, I don't have any problem. Kevyn got me on the Snickers. They work! And who doesn't like Snickers?? 
827 posts since
Feb 4, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
Hi Tekno! I don't eat during a run. If you ever see me taking GU (or similar) during a marathon, it means I'm dying! (figuratively speaking, no ambulance necessary) That's far from saying I never take one! Occassionally I'll grab something like gummy bears or m&m's, but it's more for fun. Once someone had Craisins and I loved it, but it was just the once. Gatorade and water during a race; Propel during a long training run if I can find it. I try not to eat (or extremely little) for at least an hour or so before running. I'm probably firmly in the minority on this, but it's what works for me.
I should throw in that I almost always have a PowerBar while stretching after a run. And I just had a PowerBar Recovery as a snack. It's just before & during I don't touch them.
2,983 posts since
Jan 18, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
Interestingly enough, I recently switched to just sports drink (Gatorade in my case, because it's most easily available). The reasoning: if I drink 3 - 4 oz. every mile, I get as many calories as taking a gel every 4 miles (about 45 minutes), and I get as much electrolytes as a Succeed E-cap every hour. And I'm going to be drinking something anyway, so this is an all-in-one solution.
589 posts since
Jan 21, 2008
6.
Mar 25, 2008 5:24 PM
in response to: lenzlaw
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
I also weened myself from gels and gu's during my long runs and only drink water or Gatorade.
I just eat well an hour before the run and eat well after.
37 posts since
Mar 4, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
Don't eat or drink much before a run, although a chocolate bar sounds good specially right in the morning to give that boost. I usualy stay away from the unhealthy stuff after a good run, although good tea is always the best drink to have a few hours before your run. This I have notice helps me stay strong and alert through out my run.
381 posts since
Jan 18, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
Uh-oh. I predict by this time tomorrow there will be 743 replies to this question.
I switched to eating Snickers last year, initially ate sports beans and Clif Shots. But now I'm kind of back to the Gu, sometimes some peanut butter crackers if I need something more substantial. I still like the teeny Snickers and washed down with water. But I really don't like the sports beans anymore. The gel block things made me throw up. Gu is much thinner and easier to swallow than Clif Shots, though Clif Shots taste better. Power Bar shots taste like sh!t.
That's my take.
I like the Clif Gel blocks...i can chew on it or just let it sit there for a while...they also contain caffeine and extra sodium.
i've got these neat 4oz bottles that fit nicely in the snack-a$$ shorts...if i've got gels, i pour them in there and add water...a good alternative to the messy gels...on long runs (over 10 miles), you need to have something, or you'll bonk imho. i agree that power bar shots suck.
i've been using accelerade and cytomax powder drink stuff...that seemed to work okay.
i don't like the beans...they bounce around too much, and make noise.
take something though.
happy running!
589 posts since
Jan 21, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
I usually treat myself to a Big Mac, Fries and a Coke after my long runs...they have lots of carbs, protein, veggies, some fat, water and sugars...all the stuff the body craves for!
49 posts since
Jan 24, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
I like this topic! I'm all for anything that involves snickers, peanut butter, and McDonalds french fries since I normally stay as far away from them as possible. 
1,287 posts since
Aug 15, 2007
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
It's worked for me so I'm scared to change it: Clif bar 1/2 hour before I leave, then powerbar gels every 45-60 min. Always carry water for anything over 10. Come home and make a protein shake and have an ice bath. It's my ritual. On shorter midweek runs if I come home and haven't eaten in a few hours, I'll have sportsbeans and they always rock... I never get tired when I've had them, I can usually feel them kick in 20 min into my run which is great when you're finishing off 3-5 miles to get an extra boost then. Last year I found out about Succeed caps too late in the game to figure out if and how they should fit in, but I plan to play around with them a bit this round.
827 posts since
Feb 4, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
I usually treat myself to a Big Mac, Fries and a Coke...
... three things my body can't handle anymore (assuming the fries are the fast food kind). At some point a few years ago, I stopped eating fast food and drinking carbonated beverages. Now my body just rebels. Even though I like the way they taste, they just aren't worth it.
589 posts since
Jan 21, 2008
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
During the Richmond marathon last year they actually had two stations that had Real Coke! I was in heaven...I think it helped me PR and BQ!
500 posts since
Aug 28, 2007
Re: Energy gels, bars, etc
I'd like an alternative that isn't sweet. I'm just not a sugar lover. But, after a run I like plain Coke.
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