Earlier we talked about pre- and post-run fueling, and that's very important. But it seems like there's a whole lot of buzz surrounding the gels and beans and shots and such that provide energy during a run. Many reported that they found substantial improvement in their runs when they consumed something during, and as a fledgling runner I thought: clearly I need some energy gels!
None of them.
Oh, sure, I had some good runs using the fuels. But I had just as many lackluster runs. I never felt any energy surges, and at no point can I report feeling AWESOME I COULD RUN FOREVER which, puzzlingly to me, many people seem to. (Is it the caffeine? I can drink a cup of coffee and go right to sleep. I KNEW that would come back to bite me!)
Now, I will note one advantage. I mentioned before that occasionally, if I've pounded particularly hard or long, I feel a little sick after a run, and need to sit down and eat something immediately. I did find that, if I had eat something during the run, I was far less likely to feel sick afterward. For this purpose, there was a winner - Clif Shot Bloks, which were reasonably tasty, fairly easy to get down, and did tend to make me feel a little more together. If any one fuel worked for me, it would be that one. But even with the Bloks I never really felt more capable, and where I succeeded it seemed more due to mental endurance than added physical endurance.
- For races, where it's best to be able to pound hard AND long without worry.
- If I plan to run more than 14 miles, which seems to be around where I start needing the extra oomph.
Hmmm... Would anyone like some Swedish fish?
Anyone out there have a similar problem? Have you found your perfect mid-run fuel?
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I have to yet to see conclusive proof in my personal experiences that these do anything. 15 miler in humid weather with shot blocks: still felt terrible. 20 miler in cooler temps without shot blocks: just wonderful. Now WATER on the other hand, I learned that I actually do indeed kinda sorta need that.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, water is definitely key. Which is why I find it extra annoying that the gym has no bathroom or alternate water sources. >.< The things we suffer through in basement gyms!
Deleteand ps I think we have the same countertop... and possible the same blinds...
ReplyDeleteHa! Are you in a WRIT building? (The rug actually isn't from my apartment, so that's why you don't have that.)
DeleteI've tried all this nonsense too, and I agree that there isn't really anything that makes me feel like I'm performing better. But I do know that when I'm running for more than 10 miles, I generally start to get slow and tired and somewhat sluggish, and I know that clearly my body is burning calories and needs sustenance to keep going. SCIENCE and all that. I hate the consistency of Gu/shots, so I stick to Clif Bloks. Or sometimes just Haribo gummi bears. They're tasty and a good size! I really crave simple sugars after a long run, and fruity things are the only thing I can get down — they handed out Hershey Miniatures during mile 22 or 23 of the WDW Marathon, and I popped one in my mouth and immediately spit it out. Too heavy. But I ate half a bag of Haribo on the course, and the other half when I finished! HARIBO IS THE WAY TO GO.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I do like perusing the Haribo snacks at the Germany pavilion. Sustaining AND WDW-themed - I like it!
DeletePretzels work for me. I can't exactly carry them on a run, but for anything over 16 miles I break it up into 2 loops and pop into my house for a bathroom break, water refil and snack! During a full marathon I try to station a family member someplace mid-race to hand some off to me!
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I do like the honey stinger chews best if I'm going to throw something in my belt.
Oh, yeah, I hear pretzels can be good. I think I skipped them during my experiment because I was worried about the salt making me too thirsty, but they may be worth a try!
DeleteJenn--I (Lisa) am a bit of an anomaly on the fuel thing. I never use fuel (or water) in the midst of my training runs or races (baring a horrible situation on race day like heatwave conditions that leave you crazy thirsty/depleted). Instead, I tend to eat a midnight breakfast before race day (2 pieces of toast with PB and J) or eat 2-3 hours before I get in training runs. I find that I always make it to the end without issues...but again...I have been told I am totally weird. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, saves a lot of money on fuel products. :D No water, though? You're officially superhuman!
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