Help me, Clif Bloks and Sport Beans?

[lenshanem]

I have now tried both. They both seem OK, I think I might like the Bloks better, but they are bulkier...

My question is I'm not quite sure I understand how it all works. I've used them on a 7 and 8 mile run half way thru, but I'm training for a half. I want to make sure I can tolerate them.

If I use these I don't have to drink a sports drink, correct? I just eat these along with some water?

How often should I eat them during the half?

Help!

 

[tigger2esq]

I think the basic rule is 3 blocks or 1 pack of beans for every hour. but during your training you will find a good mix for you. I tend to use powerade and then only use them to fill in as needed when I feel my fuel meter getting low (I ended up using 2 packs of beans during the marathon as a little boost) one around mile 10 and one at around mile 18 or so.

 

[Sandy321]

I cant tolerate the powerade, and on my long runs, I dont have access to it, but I did to beans -

during the half at every water stop I ate 2 blocks and drank water - dh thought I should've taken more - as in I didnt start eating them till after mile 7 - he really believes that the goo does a great job at helping giving the energy boost needed and for that you want to keep it in your system..

I think I felt the bloxs had more of the goo ingredients then the beans did, that's why I switched - but since I hadnt practiced with them (only discovered them at the race expo) I was hesitant to take too many!

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I run and race with a product called Infinite, it is a custom electrolight mix based on your personal needs. Now this being said for the half I had three bottles of this on my amphipod belt and one of water. I went trough them all stopped at every water stop for some water and when the were handing out the Cliff shots I got one of those as well. I did what my body told me to do and that worked out the best for me. I have raced with the beans in the past and loved them though.
Erin

 

[Cruella de mom]

MOst people on these boards are going to disagree with me, but I feel like I have enough experience now that I can share my opinion.

I don't use anything other than powerade for about 95% of my runs, even very long runs. You are trying to teach your body endurance. You are trying to get your body to reach in and take fuel from storage. It won't do that if you feed it. Its kind of like teaching a toddler to eat vegetables. You have to keep trying until they finally give in.

I usually stick a pack of sportbeans in a pocket on race day, just in case I need a boost come mile 8 or 9, but I rarely end up using them. And then, I only eat about 3 or 4 beans at a time. Once I start, I eat them about every 20 minutes or so until I am finished with the run.

Definately try the beans and blocks before the race. However, I would try them on your medium distance runs and not on your long runs. And only use them on perhaps one run a week.

Cecilia

 

[DianeL]

Shan & Ladies!!!! (ok guys can get them too!)

LUNA has their version of bloks called Moons? They are crescent shaped. From what I read on the site, they are suppose to be a bit smaller. I haven't picked up a pack yet because the flavors didn't appeal to me but thought I'd toss that out for you since your talking about bloks and since I saw them LAST week I know I'll forget again within 5 minutes

Clif makes Luna.

Happy training!!!!

 

[lenshanem]

I did see the Luna. I passed on them at the time cause I thought it wasn't as good a deal for the money. I looked at the servings compared to the Bloks and it seemed like the Bloks were a better deal. I didn't think about them being smaller though to carry... I might look back into those.

I felt like the Bloks were easier to eat. It seemed like I chewed on the Beans for forever and I kept having to pop them in. I do like how small they are, though.

OK, here's my real question -
Is the combination of Bloks or Beans with water the same as drinking a sports drink? I'm very confused...

I wanted to drink only water, but thought by adding the Bloks or Beans that that would give me the sodium and electrowhatevers I needed?

 

[CarolA]

MOst people on these boards are going to disagree with me, but I feel like I have enough experience now that I can share my opinion.

I don't use anything other than powerade for about 95% of my runs, even very long runs. You are trying to teach your body endurance. You are trying to get your body to reach in and take fuel from storage. It won't do that if you feed it. Its kind of like teaching a toddler to eat vegetables. You have to keep trying until they finally give in.

I usually stick a pack of sportbeans in a pocket on race day, just in case I need a boost come mile 8 or 9, but I rarely end up using them. And then, I only eat about 3 or 4 beans at a time. Once I start, I eat them about every 20 minutes or so until I am finished with the run.

Definately try the beans and blocks before the race. However, I would try them on your medium distance runs and not on your long runs. And only use them on perhaps one run a week.

Cecilia

Actually my boyfriend is a long time runner. (Today's "training run" is 16 miles for example.) He is from your school. He runs with nothing (does his training where there are water fountains for beverages) Drinks poweraide at the end and he is good. (And heck he has no body fat to draw from... Me I should be able to fuel this body a long time off of the stores LOL!)

For me the real risk of these beans etc is going to be the "crash" so as I get up distance I will have to try and see what I need. (I once ate a PowerBar... NEVER AGAIN, my reaction was not good LOL! I shook for hours)

So far my longest has been a 10K and I did learn I need to eat my Pria bar a little closer to the start of the race as I had been eating one closer to the start of my training, but otherwise....

 

[tigger2esq]

when I trained for my first marathon in 2006 I did it totally using powerade (actually a water/PA mix as I cant stomach straight PA). I did that so I wouldnt ahve to worry about carrying anything. it worked really well. I did grab a bag of gummy bears from an aid station around mile 21 and a cookie and an orange slice or two along the way but I made it to the end feeling great. that said--it was ideal race weather. cold at the start (about 50ish) and an awesone 64 at the finish. For disney this year with the heat I definitely needed more and was glad I had the beans for that extra little boost. but with my training I used them almost never and tried the water/PA approach again as well. they were defiintely just back-up.