Do You Gu, Which Gu Do You Do?

[VernRDH]

Sorry to sound so Seussical but I am curious about who uses Gu gel and what flavors they recommend. We were at Fleet Feet yesterday getting DH new shoes (he's been wearing the wrong size for the last 10 years) and I was looking at the Gu gels. Since I have never done any race longer than 5k, I haven't used gels before. So what do you recommend? They seemed to have a variety of flavors, but at $2.75 a packet, I thought I would ask around about ones that are better than others. I am not in a hurry to get them, since we don't officially start training until 6/1.

Thanks fellow WISHers for any advice!

 

[SAHDad]

I'm partial to the orange, lemon-lime, and tri-berry flavors. But, rather than pay $2.75 a packet, I recommend browsing over to zombierunner.com. There, you can find variety packs of Gu for $8.65 (for 8 packs, 1 each of 8 different flavors). Even with shipping, it's cheaper than $2.75 each. They also have Clif Shots, Hammer Gel, etc - all in variety packs.

Once you find a flavor or two that you like, look for bulk deals. Those gels are good for months (or more - I bought some over a year ago that are still not past their "best by" date.)

 

[momof2minnies]

I use the ones from Power Bar- vanilla.I tried Clif shots at the full last year and they were down right awful.They sell them here at Sports Authority for less than $2 each.

Linda

 

[jmasgat]

I used the Powergels for training/racing my half in January. Strawberry Banana was my flavor of choice. Target sells them for less than $1.50, I think. I like the gels versus Beans, Blocks, etc because they go down fast. The senation can be an acquired taste.

Hope you find something that works for you.

Maura

 

[VernRDH]

Thanks for the replies! I had talked with someone who didn't use the shot blocks but did swedish fish. I can't chew something that chewy and run at the same time. I am more partial to berry/fruity flavors, and I may check out Target and other places for them.

Thanks again!!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I GU, and I get the 25 pack box from Fleet Feet for about $25. Vanilla GU is all I use.

 

[funwalker]

Veronica,

I use GU but stick to the Vanilla flavors-I try to stay away from the ones that have caffeine in them. I do not 'normally' pay over $1.25. Most Expo's have a vendor - The Expo at WDW had it.

 

[ahoff]

I like the chocolate. I usually buy them from Performance Bike (performance.com, I think?) and it is also around ?25 for a box of 24. There is usually some gel in the goodie bags from races, and I also like the hammergel.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I tried Cliff Shots last year but absolutely could not stomach them. I always had the sensation of needing to swallow because it was to gross to keep it in my mouth, but was too busy gagging to swallow. Ewww!!! Sorry, TMI, but that's what Cliff Shots did to me. We went over to Cliff Shot Blocks and found them much more pleasant. Only problem is you're supposed to take 3 at a time, and I find that too difficult while running, so I would instead pop one after 45 minutes, and then one every 15 minutes until the end of my run. Amazon.com sells cases of 12 packs of Cliff Shot Blocks for $14 and you can get 15% off if you "Subscribe and Save" to receive them at an interval you choose - you can cancel any time, including immediately after your first order.

Ok, so to actually answer your question, I did try GU last week during my long run. I had heard another WISH member say that she couldn't deal with Cliff Shots, but GU was fine for her. I tried the chocolate GU and found that it had a much more pleasant taste and texture. It was more.... whipped.... if that makes sense? Kind of like chocolate icing. The only thing that's stopping me from making GU my new energy product of choice is that the chocolate flavor has caffeine in it, which I totally cut out of my diet within 3 month of a big race. Glad to hear that vanilla doesn't have caffeine in it. I might have to pick one up and give it a try.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I use the strawberry banana PowerBar gels and get them at my local grocery store. Usually $1.29, but I stocked up back in January when they had them for a buck a piece.

 

[laxdef69]

From Cranksports.

On a per calorie basis they are cheaper, and I think the ingredients are better for you (complex long chain carbs in the gels, etc).

I'm not crazy about the artificial dyes in the e-fuels, but you can't seem to get away from them in any sports type drink, so.

Anyway, I have been using them for 18 months and love em...I used to bonk, particularly on long rides, with Gu and Powerbar gels, but never have with e-gel.

Good luck!

Mike

 

[syko]

I use the Cliff shot blocks cola and the Cliff Lemon electrolyte drink every day I train. I can not do the gels, gag reflex.
Depending on distance 1 to 2 packets of blocks and 1 to 2 bottles of drink. (I do 14 -27 miles a day at a speed of 13mph - 21mph)
On a race day I will eat a packet of blocks about 15 mins before the start, they during the race as and when needed and then a few after for recovery.

 

[VernRDH]

I am glad people posted about consistency. I was curious as to what the gel was like-more like cake icing gel or like jelly? I may pick up a few different ones and just taste them to see what I can stomach before actually trying them while running.

I found some great shorts at Fleet Feet that have little pockets sewn around the waist, almost like a built in Fuel Belt. So my next question is, how often do you take the gel? If I remember the package said one 45 minutes before running and then every 45 minutes once you have started. Is this something I will have to play around with to find out what works or is there a "system" to doing the gel? And in regards to hydration, folks have mentioned the Gu drink stuff. What is that like? I don't usually drink during my runs now, which have all been shorter (I have only done 7 milers 2x and didn't drink during that either). I know I need to work on these things, and am trying to get all the info I can from more experienced runners. My FIL has run 1/2 marathons, and is training and racing with me, but he doesn't do the gels or drinks or anything. I want any advantage I can get to have a successful (read:finishing) half marathon experience.

I really appreciate all the help.

Oh and what's up with the caffeine? Not good to use or a personal preference? My caffeine consumption is limited to one 16oz cup of coffee per day, which I will not give up for love or money (trust me, you do not want me using sharp instruments in your mouth if I have not been properly caffeinated)

 

[SAHDad]

I am glad people posted about consistency. I was curious as to what the gel was like-more like cake icing gel or like jelly? I may pick up a few different ones and just taste them to see what I can stomach before actually trying them while running.

More like icing gel (I think) - definitely not as thick as jelly. On a warm day, however, especially if you are carrying them in an inner pocket, they can be pretty runny. On a really cold day, they're pretty solid, but that's the only time they're like jelly.

So my next question is, how often do you take the gel? If I remember the package said one 45 minutes before running and then every 45 minutes once you have started. Is this something I will have to play around with to find out what works or is there a "system" to doing the gel? And in regards to hydration, folks have mentioned the Gu drink stuff.

It depends. For a long training run, when I am trying to emulate what I will do on race day, I aim for one every 45 minutes (or so). And, just as helpful advise - always take a Gu/Clif Shot/whatever with water. It helps go down, and a lot of people (though not everyone) have GI problems if they follow up a shot of Gu with a quick hit of Gatorade.

If I were racing - I don't bother with a Gu for anything under a half. A half-marathon has me taking one, at about the 50 minute mark. (If I took another, it would be almost at the finish line, which would be too late to do any good.) For a marathon, I take one every 45-50 minutes (more or less).

Oh and what's up with the caffeine? Not good to use or a personal preference? My caffeine consumption is limited to one 16oz cup of coffee per day, which I will not give up for love or money (trust me, you do not want me using sharp instruments in your mouth if I have not been properly caffeinated)

I don't understand it either. My addiction to this rather inferior stimulant aside, caffeine appears to be beneficial (under laboratory conditions, at least), to distance runners.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Chocolate Outrage for the GU (and yes it has caffiene) I only take one at about the 9 mile marker for a half marathon.

I also have used the cliff shot gels in the chocolate flavor. NO caffeine. I used these first before finding the GU.

I am ok with both textures, the Cliff shot is a bit thick and gooey. The Gu is a bit more fluffy, kinda like icing.

Tracy

 

[Duanerice]

Great topic.

First of all there is nothing wrong with caffeine. Just personal preference. I always have a cup of coffee in the morning before I run and usually save a GU with caffeine for late in the race.

I use GU - the brand name and usually use vanilla or plain. They actually have a Plain, no flavor version. I might get a Chocolate or similar flavor with caffeine for late in the race. I usually by them by the case at my running store. Even if I bought them individually they would only be around $1.35. You might be looking at the newer GU called Roctane I think it is. That is over $2 packet.

I have tried others and can really only stomach GU. Some of the others just gag me and I can eat almost anything. What I do is take some in my mouth then take some water and kind of dilute it before I swallow. OK, maybe more than you wanted to hear but it is easier to swallow and it already dilutes it which is important. ALWAYS take water with your GU.

If I am running less that 6 miles I don't take anything. But if I am going over 6 miles I will follow my usual plan. I take 1/2 GU at 4 miles then 1/2 every 20 minutes or closest water stop around 20 minutes for the rest of the race. I found when I took a whole GU I would get pumped up and kind of spike for a mile or so then come back down. If I only take a half, I stay more on an even keel. Works for me.

I will buy some Sports Beans once in a while just to break up the GU. Sometimes I need something to eat when I am running. As for the shot blocks and other chewy items, I can't do it. I am picking sticky stuff out of my teeth for miles. Hey maybe that's what they are trying to do. If I am busy getting junk out of my teeth then I am not paying attention to the miles. Not a bad idea!

Unless I am at a race, I only drink water during a run. When at a race I'll use whatever they have.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[thndrmatt]

24 Powergels to a box, $19.99 per box when on sale which is pretty often at nashbar.com. I've found the Powergel version is more watered down as it comes in the package, I had trouble getting some of the "thicker" gels down late in races. Especially if its been heated up because I'm carrying it, it just slides right down almost as a juice.

I personally use Vanilla for "almost" everything, because it is non caffeinated. Especially during training.

For the last half of races (especially long ones) I treat myself to Strawberry Banana, which is caffeinated. I can DEFINITELY tell the difference when I switch over, so I save them for when I need them. It's definitely a kick to the system when you're feeling over it.

Note- if you drink caffeine on a regular basis its effect is lessened and you might not even notice it. I keep away from caffeine in general, so late in a long race or triathlon it's quite handy.

P.S. When in doubt, experiment! Especially when you're in early in training. Find out what works best for YOU, that's what's most important.

 

[surfermickey]

I have to say I don't GU or any other gel. I use Sharkeys and Larabars. I usually eat a packet of Sharkeys about 45 minutes before a long run, and then in the middle we have a water stop and I will eat a Larabar sample. I can get them from the local running store for free (they give away all flavors in samples) and more sharkeys if I think I need them. I just can't get the gels down.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I'm going to quickly respond to the caffeine question, since I am one of the people who stated that I cut my caffeine consumption for training:

For me, it's really a personal preference for training. I can DEFINITELY see the difference in my heart rate on days that I have had a cup of coffee. My heart rate is about 10-20 bpm faster than on days that I haven't had coffee, and it can be incredibly erratic on those days as well. It doesn't really affect my training at all, but I really don't like to see the high HR when I'm really into training for a race, and so I make the choice to give up the caffeine 2-3 months before a big race. I only run 2-3 races that are longer than a 10K in a year, so it's not that much of a sacrifice. I sometimes feel that it would be a better choice to just give it up all the time, but I LOVE my coffee and Diet Coke.

Does anyone else see this effect of caffeine on their HR? I have a really high heart rate to start with, and so I'm always very conscious of anything that can artificially drive it up.

 

[VernRDH]

Good to know about the caffeine. I may try the gels with it and see what happens.

I think I am going to pick up different brands and flavors and try them out. I am still unsure about when during the runs to use them. Do you find that you only use 1 or 2 for a half marathon? I am still trying to work on the hydration. I know that at the WDW half there are many water stops, I have trouble with drinking too much while running-side stitches and that dreaded "sloshing" feeling. Guess I have a bunch of things to work on!

Looking forward to trying everything out!!