Sport Beans for training

[kermit116]

Any recommendations on whether Sport Beans are worthwhile? I am training for the DL 10K (my first long distance running event since high school). I'm in a very very warm climate, and it's getting to the point of the summer that no matter how early I get up to run it's still very hot out. I know I need to use something beyond just water during my training to keep my electrolytes up.

I have a running belt that includes bottles, and I have found that drinking electrolyte drinks during my training makes me a little nauseated (although it's helpful after my training). I'm considering buying some Jelly Belly Sport Beans to carry in my belt to replenish electrolytes during my training, and then just sticking with water during my running. Do the Sport Beans taste similar to regular Jelly Belly jelly beans? Has anyone found them easier to digest during training that drinking Gatorade or Powerade?

Also, are there any places to buy just individual packets to try? Every place I've tried online only seems to sell them in 24-count boxes.

 

[tehvalerie]

Any recommendations on whether Sport Beans are worthwhile? I am training for the DL 10K (my first long distance running event since high school). I'm in a very very warm climate, and it's getting to the point of the summer that no matter how early I get up to run it's still very hot out. I know I need to use something beyond just water during my training to keep my electrolytes up.

I have a running belt that includes bottles, and I have found that drinking electrolyte drinks during my training makes me a little nauseated (although it's helpful after my training). I'm considering buying some Jelly Belly Sport Beans to carry in my belt to replenish electrolytes during my training, and then just sticking with water during my running. Do the Sport Beans taste similar to regular Jelly Belly jelly beans? Has anyone found them easier to digest during training that drinking Gatorade or Powerade?

Also, are there any places to buy just individual packets to try? Every place I've tried online only seems to sell them in 24-count boxes.

They sell single packs online at REI. I'm guessing they'll kill you on shipping, though! The sport beans are basically just oversized jelly beans. I think I got the fruit punch flavor and they were tasty enough—better than a lot of flavors of Gu that I've tried. I've been fortunate to not have any GI issues with sport drinks or any of the types of energy gels I've tried, so I can't really comment to that aspect.

 

[kirstie101]

Maybe try different sports drinks? One of my friends can tolerate the sugar free versions of powerade and gatorade but cant handle the regular ones during her long runs. I'm a fan of Nuun on my long runs.

I've never tried the sports beans. My local running store sells the packets individually so you dont have to buy a whole box. I think the Sports Authority over here does too. Id suggest buying a few different types of fuel and seeing which one works best for you. I cant do the Gu type products but I'm doing well so far with the honey stinger chews.

 

[wilkeliza]

I can drink Gatorade but not Powerade so I feel you. I have a subscription to Stride Box (like Birch Box for runners) so I get a lot of gel, gu, bean, pill, electrolyte additves, etc to try.

I love Sports Beans. I have done up to 10 miles (Doing 2 half marathons this year) and this is my current break down

Corrals 30 minutes to start I drink 8oz of water and 1 Sport Bean pack, Mile 2 another bit of water and a Mocha Flavored Cliff Shot, Mile 4 water and apple sauce, Mile 6 water and sport bean, mile 8 another Mocha Cliff Shot, Mile 10 finish get chocolate milk and banana or hummus.

My break down is an a little over board and most people I know do something every 5K or 5 miles but I have experimented a lot in the past 3 years and know for me to finish upright and not feeling like I'm going to die I have to fuel every 2 miles.

My local running shop and drug stores in the area all sell Jelly Belly Sports Beans. I even stumbled upon them in Wal-Mart in FL one time pre-marathon weekend. They are all sold by the single pack at about 1.50 each.

 

[bumbershoot]

I love them. They work well for me. I find them at rei, the running shoe store, and even my local grocery store.

The drinks...I can't do the kind you've mentioned because it's not normal sugar. I found clif brand electrolyte drink powder that has normal sugar, and it's great too. For me. You have to practice with yourself while training, see what works for your body.

 

[jobo]

I like the sport beans as they are small and easy to eat. The Cliff Blocks are to big for me to eat and keep running. The GU and I just don't get along at all.
I also use Emergen-C packet in one of my hip belt water bottles for some electrolytes.

The best advise I can give is to try different hydrating / refueling techniques to find out what works best for you. It took me many long runs before I got to a good system that works for me.

I hear you on the heat! I like to run outside and getting up at 4:45 am to beat the sun is a challenge.

 

[DOOM1001]

All my long races I buy sport beans,Gu's and Clif Bloks.My stomach pretty much tolerates anything so for half marathons I bring like 2-3 of each of them and just take them throughout the race.For full marathons I'm starting the race with like 5 Gu's,and like 4 sport beans and 4 Clif bloks.Many times I'll finish the race not taking all of them but it feels better to have them than not.I may start getting some cramping in my quads in my marathons around miles 18-19 and I'll then take these energy aids and the cramping tends to go away.Pretty much every Dick's or Sports Authority sells them individually but the runners store near me has them cheaper.Come October I'm going to order them online as they're cheaper in the 24 packs,I'll definitely use them with all the races I'm running.

 

[FFigawi]

If you're running in the heat and losing a lot through sweat, I'd recommend adding salt tabs to your fueling. They have electrolytes, salt, and potassium to keep you topped up. Take one per hour in addition to whatever gel, beans, or blocks you're using too.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

I just bought some at The Academy sports store in individual packets (and chomps and a gel) to try out.

 

[bumbershoot]

All my long races I buy sport beans,Gu's and Clif Bloks.My stomach pretty much tolerates anything so for half marathons I bring like 2-3 of each of them and just take them throughout the race.For full marathons I'm starting the race with like 5 Gu's,and like 4 sport beans and 4 Clif bloks.

Do you mean packets, or individual Gu's, beans, and bloks?



OP I wanted to mention that one difficult thing for trying out what you're going to use in the race is...Disney doesn't use the powerade/gatorade we can get our hands on. they use a powdered form that apparently isn't normally sold. It has different ingredients. (from what I was able to figure out, it's actually closer to the Clif powder than anything else) So you practice with something close, but you don't get THAT at the races.

So...for me, with a tricky stomach, that means I bring everything I need. Water, electrolyte drink, everything. I have a brother who ruined a PR by trying something new during a race (and he's a terrific runner), and I am so slow I can't be brought off my pace b/c I have NO interest in being swept! So I pack it all for myself.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Do you mean packets, or individual Gu's, beans, and bloks?



OP I wanted to mention that one difficult thing for trying out what you're going to use in the race is...Disney doesn't use the powerade/gatorade we can get our hands on. they use a powdered form that apparently isn't normally sold. It has different ingredients. (from what I was able to figure out, it's actually closer to the Clif powder than anything else) So you practice with something close, but you don't get THAT at the races.

So...for me, with a tricky stomach, that means I bring everything I need. Water, electrolyte drink, everything. I have a brother who ruined a PR by trying something new during a race (and he's a terrific runner), and I am so slow I can't be brought off my pace b/c I have NO interest in being swept! So I pack it all for myself.

The OP won't have that issue. For the 10K, the only thing provided is water. Looking at the course, there is also a long stretch between water stations, with the first one just past mile 1 and the next one at about mile 3.5.

-- Suzanne

 

[DOOM1001]

Packets,I'm in Florida and I'm a heavy sweater so on some of these longer races with the heat I sweat like Ted Striker landing a plane so I like having enough Gu's,beans and bloks to keep me going.Like I said most of the times I don't take them all but I'm still starting these races loaded with a variety of 10 or more packets.

 

[bumbershoot]

The OP won't have that issue. For the 10K, the only thing provided is water. Looking at the course, there is also a long stretch between water stations, with the first one just past mile 1 and the next one at about mile 3.5. -- Suzanne

Aha. Well maybe it will be good info goin. Down the road.

Packets,I'm in Florida and I'm a heavy sweater so on some of these longer races with the heat I sweat like Ted Striker landing a plane so I like having enough Gu's,beans and bloks to keep me going.Like I said most of the times I don't take them all but I'm still starting these races loaded with a variety of 10 or more packets.

Awesome reference to Airplane.

You make me feel better about what I bring with me just for a half. I don't plan on a marathon, but I bet my supplies would be similar!

 

[steph0808]

Sport beans are my fuel of choice - fruit punch flavor! I have a pack every 5 miles or so. I used them for the 2013 Disney marathon and all other races above 10k. I only drink water as well. It works for me.

 

[ANIM8R]

Packets,I'm in Florida and I'm a heavy sweater so on some of these longer races with the heat I sweat like Ted Striker landing a plane

Excellent reference!

 

[kermit116]

Thanks so much for all the great tips! I stopped by a sporting goods store today and picked up a few individual packets of various different electrolyte jelly candies to try out during my training sessions.

On a side note, since I'm only doing the 10k and Disney will only be providing water, I'm going to pack these items with me when I travel (I won't have a car at Disneyland). I am only traveling with a carry-on, so I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble getting jelly chews or gel packets through TSA? I'm assuming that the Sport Beans, Gu Chomps, etc. will be okay since they are a jelly candy type of substance, but I'd guess that any of the gel packets (like Clif Shots) would be prohibited/confiscated unless they are included in my toiletry ziplock bag?

 

[monsterkitty]

Thanks so much for all the great tips! I stopped by a sporting goods store today and picked up a few individual packets of various different electrolyte jelly candies to try out during my training sessions.

On a side note, since I'm only doing the 10k and Disney will only be providing water, I'm going to pack these items with me when I travel (I won't have a car at Disneyland). I am only traveling with a carry-on, so I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble getting jelly chews or gel packets through TSA? I'm assuming that the Sport Beans, Gu Chomps, etc. will be okay since they are a jelly candy type of substance, but I'd guess that any of the gel packets (like Clif Shots) would be prohibited/confiscated unless they are included in my toiletry ziplock bag?

You will have no problems getting them on the plane.

As to your original question, I am so sick of Gatorade and other drinks I could vomit. I started using Hammer Endurolytes instead. They come in a capsule form and I take one before my bike, every hour on my bike (up to 6 hours at times) and then during my run. I drink just plain water on shorter workouts because I don't need calories. The Sports Beans do provide some calories, but you really don't need those for the 10k training sessions - just electrolytes. If I do need calories I drink Hammer Perpetuem instead of water but still use the Endurolytes. The Perpetuem tastes like orange creamsicles!

Happy running!

 

[kermit116]

The Sports Beans do provide some calories, but you really don't need those for the 10k training sessions - just electrolytes.

Excellent point. I really do just need the supplements for electrolytes (not calories) so I don't melt in this summer heat!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks so much for all the great tips! I stopped by a sporting goods store today and picked up a few individual packets of various different electrolyte jelly candies to try out during my training sessions.

On a side note, since I'm only doing the 10k and Disney will only be providing water, I'm going to pack these items with me when I travel (I won't have a car at Disneyland). I am only traveling with a carry-on, so I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble getting jelly chews or gel packets through TSA? I'm assuming that the Sport Beans, Gu Chomps, etc. will be okay since they are a jelly candy type of substance, but I'd guess that any of the gel packets (like Clif Shots) would be prohibited/confiscated unless they are included in my toiletry ziplock bag?

I would only be concerned with the gel packets. I think they have the ounces listed on the packets, so they are fine to toss in your 311 bag.

For the baggies; if what you're bringing won't hold its shape outside of its container, then it's a liquid. The gel won't hold its shape, but the other things listed will.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

Excellent point. I really do just need the supplements for electrolytes (not calories) so I don't melt in this summer heat!

Confusing NEED vs WANT, for a 10k race and likely training the body does not need them.