What are your "fuel on the go" plans?

[Honeibee]

I thought I'd start a thread about what to eat and drink on the go so we have one place to look for ideas and suggestions.

Plus I'm nosey and want to know what you all are doing. :teeth:

My longest LR has only been eight miles and I've found drinking water and having three Cliff Blocks 15 min before I start then another three 45 min in worked fine. Although I was really hungry when I was done.


I was planning on packing just plain water in my Amphipod. And bringing Cliff Blocks. I don't know what else. :confused3 What should I eat in the corral? I know I asked this once before but, well, I can't find it. That's why I'm making a seperate thread. :teeth: Should I not have a sports drink with the Cliff Blocks? I'm so confused! :confused3 Should I be carrying something else to eat on the go?

[wtpclc]

Here's what I do for my L-LRs:

1 snickers marathon bar 1.5 hours out. Another 1 hour out with a 20oz Powerade. (Orange)

Water every 2 mile
Gu every 4 miles
Powerade randomly mixed in. near the end of teh marahthon last year, I was doing Powerade every time, except when I took a Gu. I also move up to every mile after about mile 20.

[Jen117]

How much liquid do you carry at the race? I only have a belt for one 20 ouncer. I was hoping to do a swap somewhere along the race if I can meet up with DH. I was planning to carry gatoraid in my belt and grab water at the stops.

What does everyone else do?

[Honeibee]

I have only 2 10oz'ers. I need to look at the Program again. I know water is available and some sports drink and I think bananas.

[solotraveler]

My plan will look very similar to last years--

1 gel 20 minutes before race start in the corral
At least one cup of water at each water stop and Powerade if I feel the need
1 gel every five miles during the races
Food/Powerade/Sportbeans post-race

Jen-- I did not carry any liquid on me last year and really didn't feel any worse for wear because of it. The water stops are frequent enough (for me at least) to get what I need. I think the bottle on my Amphipod is going to be used for gel storage this time around.

Food on the course-- I remember fruit, bananas, Clifshots and candy on the full course last year. If you plan on availing yourself of any of these I would recommend trying them out on a LR to see what they do to your system. You don't want a nasty suprise race day.

Kevin :earsboy:

[wtpclc]

There shoudl eb plenty of water and poerade, but dh and I only like orange. Other flavors give us heartburn. However, we were fine with the watered down stuff they serve (any flavor).

For the full, we took 4-8oz bottles (to split btwn us). I think 2 water, 2 powereade. We mostly only used our water to chase Gus. We took those away from teh stations.

[WDWFAN9]

Here's what I do for my L-LRs:

1 snickers marathon bar 1.5 hours out. Another 1 hour out with a 20oz Powerade. (Orange)

Water every 2 mile
Gu every 4 miles
Powerade randomly mixed in. near the end of teh marahthon last year, I was doing Powerade every time, except when I took a Gu. I also move up to every mile after about mile 20.

Carrie - what snickers marathon bar do you use? I asked DH to pick me up some and he came back with 3 difference varieties - one was low-carb, one was for women, and one was a performance bar. I guess I never paid attention before, I was just looking for a good flavor.

This is a great idea! I know I am confused about what the "right" thing to do is.....

[wtpclc]

Pat - I use Energy - Crunchy peanut, peanut butter and cookies & creeam. LOVE C&C, but it's a little hard. Never try to eat it cold. ;) They're all good, though. I'm afraid of low carb, as I need the carbs to keep me going. I know chimera uses protein, thogh and likes it. If you haev a Sam's Club near you, they usually have a 20-pack.

ETA - The "right" thing is what works for you! ;) Big help, I know. Try it out on your LRs adn L-LRs and see how it goes. I know I waited 5 miles btwn Gus once and had a low-sugar meltdown. That was on teh 18-miler that wasn't. Lesson learned. I started with Pop Tarts instead od snickers bars and they worked fo rme too. Easy to digest and all, but I feel more like an athelete with the snickers bar (and they fit in the fanny pack better). :teeth:

[chimera]

Yep, I have to eat before I run or I crash...the extra protein seems to help, though I did read lower protein is easier to digest before a LR. DD13 cannot eat before running or she feels oogy, so it's really individual.

Depending on length of LR, I eat either half or whole one of these:
http://www.snickersmarathon.com/protein_bar.asp

The caramel nut rush...chocolate whatever burst is weird. I get them at Walmart...$8.44 for a box of 6. I have tried bagels with cream cheese or peanut butter, but they don't carry as well.
I eat 3 Clif Bloks every 3 miles and take one to two sips of water after each 1-2 intervals.
I used to carry honey packets and peanut butter crackers before I tried the Bloks. Found the Bloks work a bit better and are MUCH easier to carry.

I have always read that you shouldn't combine Bloks/GU with sports drinks because it can give you too much electrolytes. I know last time I mentioned that, some of our high-performance athletes say they combine them all the time, so YMMV.

I do take a multivitamin before I run and also one Imodium to prevent any additional 'running' that usually hits around mile 6 :rolleyes1

[Honeibee]

Are Shot Blocks and gels pretty much the same thing? They are, right? :confused3

[solotraveler]

Are Shot Blocks and gels pretty much the same thing? They are, right? :confused3

Yep. Bloks are chewy and gels are....... not.

[pollioni]

Are Shot Blocks and gels pretty much the same thing? They are, right? :confused3

You are correct, the great thing about the blocks are the are eaiser to eat on the run and 1 package is equal to 2 gels.

I personally am running with blocks and gatorade to begin then switch to water and gatorade alternating. I take 1 block about every 20 mins. This appeard to work really well on my 20 miler on Sunday last week.

[keenercam]

Are Shot Blocks and gels pretty much the same thing? They are, right? :confused3

Judy -- I can't tolerate the consistency of the gels/gu's, but LOVE the shot blocks, that are kind of like a firm jello block.

I am right there with Mel on loving the snickers marathon energy bars. I have found they are all equally good for me, including the ones that say performance or protein.

And like Carrie & Scott, I carry my own powerade orange because the other flavors give me heartburn or make me nauseous. I also cannot tolerate Dasani water so I try to use water on the course only when it is non-Dasani and save my powerade for times when I need something and the choices are not good for me -- non-orange powerade or dasani water. Weird, I know, but true for some reason.

Everyone is totally different but this guiding principle is absolute for everyone -- do NOT try something new on race day!

[skfulkers]

In training, I try to eat about 100-200 calories an hour or so before my LR, usually a bagel or banana (or maybe brownies :) ). Then I eat half a Clif Bar (about 100 calories) every 4 miles. I also drink water every two miles, but alternate it with Gatorade every other two miles. Sometimes I just mix the gatorade to half strength and use that mixture for the entire LR.
I did not carry any water for the marathon last year, either, and I was fine using the water/powerade stops they had along the way. I hate having to carry water with me unless it's on my fuel belt, and that feels bulky sometimes. I also filled my amphipod with Powerbar halves (I switched to Clif Bars this year--better tasting IMO) on race day last year.

[rKyDeX]

Before LR's I usually have a banana :banana:and a bagel. I wash it down with 16 oz CytoMax sport drink at least 30 minutes before I depart.

For LR's greater than 10 miles I carry 2 - 20 oz bottles with just water in an Amphipod Full Tilt 20-20 belt and enough gels or sports beans to take at 45 minute intervals. On LR's greater than 16 miles, I try to find a place along the way to top the water bottles off.

During organized events, I will only carry sports beans or Gu's, and only drink water provided at water stops. It has worked for me so far.

What doesn't work is eating a kingsize bag of peanut M&M's prior to a LR. :scared1:

Chester

[gatorphipps]

In my humble opinion....
You really do not need to carry a drink. I did last year and did not even drink it all. This is one of the best supported races I have ever run and at every station they have H2O and Poweraid.
For the marathon
1. I Get a drink at every stop.....
2. I take Gu every 6 miles
3. I eat a p-nut butter sandwich and coffee with caffene when I get up in the morning
4. and last year I ate the thing they put in our race pack in the correl...this is b/c the day b/4 during the 1/2 I was starving.
Now for a 1/2 it is different...
I normally just eat my breakfast, drink at the aid stations, and maybe take 1 gu.

THis is what has always worked for me...but remember that the LRs are practice runs to see what does and doesn't work for the race. So try different things out on them.

[wfloyd]

Generally I will try to get a drink every 2 miles for the first half and then every mile for the last half. I carried extra last year but didn't drink any of it because the stations were close enough. Lynnda on the other hand did drink some of hers.

Before the long run, I usually take half a power gel and drink about 10 ounces of gatorade. Then I take half a power gel around mile 5, 10, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24 and whenever I feel like I need another one.

I think last year I had a banana and hershey kiss that they were giving out at some point but I passed on the beer at mile 20.

Bill

[princessmomma]

I passed on the beer at mile 20.

Bill

What there was beer at mile 20???? :confused3

Couldn't even think about eating the Hershey's kiss chocolate at mile 22-ish.

The week before the marathon I make sure I am well hydrated, replenish sodium that is lost (V8 and gatorade), eat bananas and oranges (potassium) and try to keep clean (no junk food) while eating balanced meals.

During the race I consume a gel every 45 minutes (always be sure to wash gels down with 6-8 oz of water... needed for absorption).

Lots of water (every water stop). I, for one, need to carry water, I did not in two half marathons and wish I did for both. For both marathons, I needed something wet in my mouth in those last 6 miles when I needed a walk break.

I drink A LOT during marathons and have yet to stop for a bathroom break in either marathon and 4 half marathons, which tells me my body needs it. I am running a half marthon on December 9th with a couple of friends who don't drink AT ALL!! I have done two 12 mile runs with them and they can't believe how much I drink and I can't believe they don't drink a drop. :confused3 I guess you need to do what is right for you. :)

Colleen

[chimera]

We mostly only used our water to chase Gus.

Who's Gus and why were you chasing him with water? :teeth:

I also chase the Bloks with water...otherwise they really stick to your teeth :crazy2:

I, for one, need to carry water, I did not in two half marathons and wish I did for both. For both marathons, I needed something wet in my mouth in those last 6 miles when I needed a walk break.

I think I must be the same way. I can't drink a whole lot at a time...one or two sips is enough. Sometimes I can't even swallow the second sip, but I just feel like I need the water. My grandmother used to say she'd need just enough of a drink to 'wet her throat'...I always think of that when I get that feeling.

Dumb question that I keep forgetting to ask. I got a new fuel belt for my birthday and have yet to figure out how to use the water bottle correctly. It has one of those valve thingies and I can only get a drop or two at a time out of it. I've tried biting it every which way with no luck. When I run, I have to unscrew the bottle top during my walking interval to get a drink. Any suggestions? :confused3

[escape]

Tip from Jeff Galloway:

"It is almost impossible to replace electrolytes with sports drinks during a run. The best time to "top off" electrolytes is the day before by drinking about 32 oz of a product like Accelerade throughout the day. Endurox R4 immediately after the long run has been shown to speed recovery."

This is my contribution to this thread because I can't tell you what works for me yet. :teeth:

Now for the silly question. You can tell I'm new to all of this.

What do you do with the empty cups along the way? I guess they have trash cans or do you *gasp* throw them on the ground? I honestly don't know and I need to know before I make a fool of myself. :lmao: I'm sure I'll figure it out once I get there but inquiring minds want to know now.

[wfloyd]

What do you do with the empty cups along the way? I guess they have trash cans or do you *gasp* throw them on the ground? I honestly don't know and I need to know before I make a fool of myself. :lmao: I'm sure I'll figure it out once I get there but inquiring minds want to know now.

Yes you can throw them on the ground but they do have trash cans close by that can be used as well. You can do whatever you want but try not to hit other runners with the cup or drink. They may not be too apprecitative of a shower. :teeth:

What there was beer at mile 20????

There was when I passed by. Lynnda said there wasn't any when she went by. I had heard rumors of it during the race and was surprised when I saw them. It wasn't a Disney style stop from what I remember. Just people out with cups of beer but you could definately smell it.

Bill

[princessmomma]

What do you do with the empty cups along the way? I guess they have trash cans or do you *gasp* throw them on the ground? I honestly don't know.

::yes:: Yes, you just toss them to the side when you are finished! :drinking: (Sorry, had to chuckle, that was a cute question.) Just be careful there is no one between you and the side of the road.:duck:

That reminds me when I ran Chicago they had a GU station and there were so many empty GU packages strewn over the street it was STICKY and you could feel and hear it underfoot!:scared:

[wtpclc]

Who's Gus and why were you chasing him with :rotfl: Actually, Gus is my SIL. She would not appriciate being called a him. (Taken from her love of GusGus when she was little)

"Beer in the Red cups" Wa sthe most stratling thing I had ever heard. DH and I thought we were hallucinating.

Water - I have heard that if you go more than 10 or 15? miles without needing a potty break, you are dehydrated. I stopped intake of all caffeine 2 weeks before the marathon last year and really upped the fluids. I was pretty proud of myself for needing to stop btwn 11 and 12 miles. :teeth: :confused3

More important than cups, PLEASE throw your banana peels off the road. I thougth I had crossed over into some wicked cartoon when I saw the road paved with peels. WTH!? I think their liability insurance people would have had a heart attack on the spot! Gu packs can be slippery too.

[princessmomma]

I just found Powergels at Target this morning for $1.15 each and Sport Beans for I think, $0.93.

Pick up the sport beans to try.

[HMHunters]

I hate Powerade and need more than water; I prefer Propel. But I HATE fuel belts! So I bought a biking jersey which has pockets for water bottles across the lower back. I have 2 small fuel belt (actually made for gel) bottles that I'll fill with Propel for the half and tuck in the pockets. I take a few sips every 2 miles.

Not sure about the ClifShots/Gu yet. I'm going to try them for the first time on my long run this weekend. If I don't like the I'll just carry a ClifBar.

[princessmomma]

Not sure about the ClifShots/Gu yet. I'm going to try them for the first time on my long run this weekend. If I don't like the I'll just carry a ClifBar.

Just hold your nose, click your heels three times and keep telling yourself, "My body needs fuel, my body needs fuel, my body needs fuel..."

They are nasty, swallow them as quickly as you can, wash them down with water and you are good to go! :thumbsup2

[Tiger Lily 03]

Just hold your nose, click your heels three times and keep telling yourself, "My body needs fuel, my body needs fuel, my body needs fuel..."

They are nasty, swallow them as quickly as you can, wash them down with water and you are good to go! :thumbsup2That would be the way! I just bought the Clif blocks tonight and will try this weekend to see how I like them. I manage the Gu or other gels ok, just not the entire pack at once. Lots of water and off I go. I've been carrying Sport Beans and those are less messy.

I was told the Gu/gels digest quicker since they are gooey-er. So, I guess it depends how quick you need that fuel. I did not take water/food with me along the WDW event this year. As said, plenty of stops--at least for me. Had the beer too. (they give about 1/2 of the cup, so it's not overboard) it was fun. I felt ok with whatever was available along the way. BUT, it was cooler so I was ok. If it were as warm as 2 years ago, I probably would have needed a water bottle with me. So I will bring the belt and see what the weather is. The warmer it is the more I will sweat which will also determine my needs.

I had a water bottle for the "holding" time and cooked oatmeal when I woke to take with me on the bus or wherever to eat. Also brought an apple for just in case.

I usually eat a banana before I go out on my treks on the weekends here if they are the shorter runs then take sport beans for along the way and have a couple every other mile after 4 miles.

I'm still playing with what I will do, but I've been experimenting and will figure it out last minute after I see the weather for race day.
:confused3

[princessmomma]

...and cooked oatmeal when I woke to take with me on the bus or wherever to eat. :confused3

Lily, from where do you get the cooked oatmeal? Room service?

Last year at Disney, I brought a few packages of those instant oatmeals and I brewed hot water in the coffee pot and viola...oatmeal (of sorts).

In Chicago I ordered a $9 bowl of oatmeal from room service (plus $2.50 service charge, plus 15% gratuity...that was one expensive bowl of oatmeal and my instant stuff from Disney was much better).

Just wondering if you had a better plan to get my oatmeal.

[escape]

Lily, from where do you get the cooked oatmeal? Room service?

Last year at Disney, I brought a few packages of those instant oatmeals and I brewed hot water in the coffee pot and viola...oatmeal (of sorts).

In Chicago I ordered a $9 bowl of oatmeal from room service (plus $2.50 service charge, plus 15% gratuity...that was one expensive bowl of oatmeal and my instant stuff from Disney was much better).

Just wondering if you had a better plan to get my oatmeal.
Don't you take a crockpot to cook in? I thought everyone did that. :confused3 :lmao:

(I've been reading too many of those resort board threads.)

[plutosmyfav]

Who's Gus and why were you chasing him with water? :teeth:



Mel-- you actually made me burst out in laughter in a quiet office with two other people :lmao: I'm so embarrassed :blush:

As for hallucinating, I never saw the beer but I heard "chocolate donuts" near mile 22. I guess it was kisses.

Mel-- I never thought of taking Immodium as a preventative measure. I have had many issues in that department (usually around mile 6, too).

In fact, I can't/won't eat anything solid before an LR or race. I drink two Slim Fasts. I take a gel every 4-6 miles if I'm going 14+. Last year I carried a lot of Propel water for the Full and didn't need it. But then again, last year was really cold. I had one LR in '05 in the heat/humidity where I drank a gallon of fluids, didn't need a restroom and was still a pound or more lighter when I got home. So pay attention to the forecast for race day(s).

And definitely don't try anything new on race day! Practice on LRs.

[princessmomma]

Don't you take a crockpot to cook in? I thought everyone did that. :confused3 :lmao:

(I've been reading too many of those resort board threads.)

Can't bring it this time because the George Foreman grill is taking up too much space! :rotfl:

[wtpclc]

ROTFL about the crock pots and George formans. Lily's a DVCer, they all have a tleast microwaves in teh room. Very convenient. :thumbsup2

You could just run the water through teh coffee pot to heat it up.

[Tiger Lily 03]

Lily, from where do you get the cooked oatmeal? Room service?

Last year at Disney, I brought a few packages of those instant oatmeals and I brewed hot water in the coffee pot and viola...oatmeal (of sorts).

In Chicago I ordered a $9 bowl of oatmeal from room service (plus $2.50 service charge, plus 15% gratuity...that was one expensive bowl of oatmeal and my instant stuff from Disney was much better).

Just wondering if you had a better plan to get my oatmeal.DVC rooms were all gone by the time I got to commit so I'll be staying at the Swan over the weekend and plan to use the coffe pot to make hot water. I got styrofoam containers at Boardwalk bakery last year and plan to do it again this time. I will toss in an oatmeal packet and viola! oatmeal (of sorts) for me too!
:wizard: