How do you carry your fuel/gels?

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm curious to see what works for others. I prefer to run in longer (or shorter depending upon how hot it is) compression type of shorts as the loose fit shorts I have ride up, but that means I don't have pockets for my gels. Do you wear some sort of pack? I've heard people safety pin some inside their shirts/shorts but I don't think I have the coordination to handle that . Any other suggestions?

 

[wdwprncess77]

I have a belt that carries water and kinda looks like a fanny pack. Once you get over the terribly unfashionable look of said belt, it's super helpful. Water bottle sits on my lower back and is made curved to hug the body. Belt doesn't bounce when I run and there are two pockets that I can fit my blackberry, ipod, camera, gels, id and money in. Seriously it's ugly but really really effective. It's made by amphipod.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Thanks! I was looking at packs but I was afraid to get one that moves around constantly unless it's super tight. I'll look into that! I think I could let my vanity go while I'm running (considering I already look like I ran through a torrential downpour by the time I'm done).

 

[FireDancer]

If I am taking gels to a race I have pockets so I can't help you there. On long runs where I will need water though I put it in my mailbox (which is on the street instead of on the house) and make sure my course swings past my house once or twice, depending on distance. I just can't bring myself to try and carry water with me on a run. Since I wouldn't take any gel without some water I would probably just leave that in the mailbox too if I was going to take it on a training run.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

If you're using gels, you're going to need to be drinking water - the gels NEED the water to be absorbed by your body. If you take them "dry", you're at risk of the gel (which contains electrolytes) actually pulling water from your body in order to be digested, which is definitely not what you want. So, as long as you need a place to carry your gels, and you need to have water with you.... perfect time to buy a hydration pack!

Definitely go to a running store and try on a few, because different people like different types. As a woman with an "hourglass shape" (code for: big hips! ), I have had the best luck with my Nathan hydration belt, which comes in a women's model. The women's model fits those of us with hips a lot better than other belts I've tried. The other benefit of getting a type of belt that holds multiple smaller bottles instead of one bigger bottle is that you can fill one with water and one with a sports drink. This is great if you're someone who likes to drink a sports drink while you run, but needs to carry plain water to drink with energy gels.

For races, I fill the pockets of my running skirt with gels (I actually pulled a running skirt on over my tights for the COLD Disney marathon a few months ago, purely for the pockets - it was surprisingly comfortable for 26 miles!), but I also have an iFitness belt that I normally wear to carry my camera/cell phone. You could also pick up one of these to carry gels for races, as well.

 

[FFigawi]

My shorts have a compression liner and an outer layer with pockets, so I generally just put everything in there. If I need to carry water and Powerade along too, I'll use my Fuel Belt. I originally bought it for running an ultra, but it comes in handy for regular long runs sometimes too. I've also done the pin-them-to-your-shorts thing before, and it's not as difficult as you think. Most goo packets will pull off the pin quite easily.

 

[Duanerice]

I wear compression shorts too but mine are more like compression underwear. Since I might get arrested, I wear a pair of running shorts with a pocket (I take out the liner of the running shorts).

What you can do is buy a number belt that has a pouch built in. These are very small and are elastic so they do not jiggle and are not as large as the amphipod belt (which I too use on occasion). I can carry my phone and a few gels with no problem. Something like the Spi belt. http://spibelt.com/?gclid=CMDkiIOStKICFQUlnQodomgbWA

Any running store would carry something like this. Remember - take water with the gels

enjoy,
Duane

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

SPIbelt! I just got mine a few days ago, and it has made a huge difference.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I have a lot to look into!

I didn't think about wearing some of my loose fit running shorts over my compression ones to be able to use the pockets. I don't care if my shorts ride up but I'd just rather not flash everyone behind me (maybe it'll give them encouragement to pass? ) so wearing the shorts underneath would help with that.

I have a running skirt that I love (with two big pockets!) but it rides up and the compression shorts underneath are teeny tiny, I didn't think about cutting them out or just wearing my longer ones underneath of it .

I'll look into all of the belts/packs recommended! Nothing makes me happier than buying running gear (I'm thinking of giving myself a strict budget at the Expo for the Wine and Dine )

I haven't done much research on gels but I have bought several ones to try as my training runs are getting longer and I want to figure out which one works best for me (I did an eleven mile run the other day and felt nauseous [and a little light headed] for hours after which I guess is fuel/gel related as I drink lots and LOTS of water all of the time now). I didn't even know you shouldn't take them without water (I haven't started using them yet so that's a great thing to know!).

Thanks again! WISHers are the best!

 

[cewait]

Gel-Ready Race Number Belt!

http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories...a959f04c3a116d83.e3eSc3uRax8Te34Pa38Ta38Rc350

I do use pockets on training runs....

As far as gelling pointers... look at the first time marathon thread. I laid out a few thoughts.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Gel-Ready Race Number Belt!

http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories...a959f04c3a116d83.e3eSc3uRax8Te34Pa38Ta38Rc350

I do use pockets on training runs....

As far as gelling pointers... look at the first time marathon thread. I laid out a few thoughts.

Thank you! I will definitely go check it out as I am clueless about gels and a lot of the information I've come across is contradictory or confusing.

 

[crewmatt]

I love my spibelt. Huge fan, they're like 20 bucks and you can get them at any major race expo. They have a little pouch that is perfect for carkeys, gels, etc. The water is a little harder to do, fuelbelts are nice, I find that if I just carry the back 2 bottles it doesnt move around as much, also if you wear it slightly higher. But yea I really dont use mine much either, I've taken to finding courses with water fountains.

Yes, you shouldnt take the gel or most of the fuel products without water. I use the clif shot bloks, those are pretty good, I use them on runs longer than an hour/hour and a half. Basically I'd take them every 45 minutes or so. I really notice a difference within about 5 minutes of taking them, altho that all might just be in my mind.

The Sport Beans are also very good, and not as sweet as the gels which might help.

 

[APrunner]

I agree with FireDancer. I place water along my route, on my driveway. Then make sure my route brings me around when I need it. The longest race I have done is a half marathon. I really do not see a benefit to gels, etc up to this distance (for me personally). I am fine hitting a drink station close to the mid point of the race.

Experiment to see what would really benefit you. Don't carry more than you absolutely need. You may lose more time messing with this stuff in a race than you will probably gain from the product.

 

[cewait]

I agree with FireDancer. I place water along my route, on my driveway. Then make sure my route brings me around when I need it. The longest race I have done is a half marathon. I really do not see a benefit to gels, etc up to this distance (for me personally). I am fine hitting a drink station close to the mid point of the race.

Experiment to see what would really benefit you. Don't carry more than you absolutely need. You may lose more time messing with this stuff in a race than you will probably gain from the product.

I too used to stash water at the out point of my runs. That is until one day when I came up to the point I noticed a dog weeeeeing on the bush my bottle was under. That is when I went to REI and picked up the FlashFlo

 

[crewmatt]

Hydration Packs can work as well, but it depends a little on your running style. I know people who love them and others who claim they move around too much

 

[FireDancer]

I too used to stash water at the out point of my runs. That is until one day when I came up to the point I noticed a dog weeeeeing on the bush my bottle was under. That is when I went to REI and picked up the FlashFlo

I could totally see that happening. I really wouldn't stash water anywhere other then my own mailbox or a friends if I happen to run past their house, which I don't.

Something else that might work is planning a run around a water fountain. There is a parkway about 1.5 miles from my house that I run to and then through often. Along the way there is one water fountain. If I plan the route correctly I can make sure to pass it 2 or even 3 times and just rely on that. If have access to a park or anywhere else that might have a water fountain it could be another option that doesn't require carrying water.

 

[Duanerice]

Nothing makes me happier than buying running gear (I'm thinking of giving myself a strict budget at the Expo for the Wine and Dine )

Right - like when the credit card melts? This is a real issue for those attending for the first time. You can seriously hurt yourself carrying all the cool stuff you buy. Make sure you take a friend to help as you do not want to get injured before the race.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Right - like when the credit card melts? This is a real issue for those attending for the first time. You can seriously hurt yourself carrying all the cool stuff you buy. Make sure you take a friend to help as you do not want to get injured before the race.

enjoy,
Duane

Are suitcases on wheels allowed at the Expo? Good thing I'm driving over to the expo, I'll have LOTS of room to store stuff (that is until I fly back home ). I'm having a hard enough time not buying everything everyone has recommended here!

cewait - Did you still drink the water? Of all of the places for the dog to pee! That was a great post about the gels by the way. It makes perfect sense, thank you!

APrunner - True. I don't want to be adding a bunch of stuff I have to fiddle with or adding 5 lbs. to myself either. Good point!

Thanks everyone again! I've learned so much just from the WISH board alone!

 

[joan4mickey]

I love my spibelt! I have an amphipod,but I hate the bounce. I will have to start taking again as the 6 miles was brutal this morning. I really needed water and changed my route so I didn't make it past water.
As far as fuel, I love the jelly beans-the ones without caffine.

 

[cryssi]

I put my GU in the pockets of my running skirt, but for races and long runs, I also wear a hydration belt. I have the nathan speed 2, which has 2 water bottles. I'm somewhat of a pack rat, so I have my blackberry and other stuff in the pocket. My friend puts her GU in the belt pocket. I like the hydration belts that velcro together as opposed to the ones with the clip. You can adjust it mid run very easily, and it does not bounce.

I also have a spibelt which I love for shorter runs to hold my phone...

oh, and it only takes me about a block or .1 mile to get used to the extra weight.