cewait
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Messages
- 5,695
I would love to bring DD almost 6, but I don't know who would watch her either. I am loving the idea of going alone. ME time for 3 days!!!
On the Gu, when do you start to use it? I as of now, I have not used anything yet. No Gu, no beans. I am up to 4.5 miles.
(I must add, I have not done anything in 4 days)
General rules of thumb
- You do not need a supplement (I will use the term gel but is applies to all forms of nutrition – blocks, beans, etc) on runs shorter than 90 minutes.
- If you are on a run that will last that long then take your first gel at around 45 minutes
- Then gel every 30 minutes after that.
- The time guidelines are used instead of distances as you can work as hard as I am running 16 minute miles while I am at 9 minute miles. For a run of 8 miles the 9 minute runner would not need a gel while the 16 minute runner would since they are out longer than 90 minutes
- Since the times are guidelines they should only be considered starting points. You may find that you do not need or want to take your first gel until 60 minutes into a run or you may determine that the first one should come at 30 minutes. The normal range for the first gel is 30-60 minutes
- Also you may find that you need to re-gel between 30 and 60 minutes. It is how you and your body react to a gel
- Take a gel with water. The process is simple; take a sip, take the gel and finish the cup of water. You may find that you need two cups or that you do not need the first sip. YMMV.
- Do not take a sport drink at the same time you take your gel. That can lead to GI overload resulting in a lump in the belly to worse.
- Look at the race course and where the aid stations are. I think (and could be off since I am not looking at the map) that aid stations are located at mile 1.5, 3.5 and 5. If you are on a 15 minute pace in the race and your first gel is at 45 minutes you would most likely take your first gel at the mile 3.5 aid station. - train so your needs grow accustomed to the race you are planning to run.
- What if you cannot take a full gel at once? This is not uncommon and a really cool trick is to take half a gel at the stop you would normally take a gel at. Then roll the top of the gel over to keep it from oozing out. Run to the next stop and then take the remaining gel.
Finally, remember we all an experiment of one. What works for me may not work for you. The guidelines above are norms that I would discuss and attempt to practice if you were running in one of my training groups.