powerade or gatorade before a run?

Muppet Man

Which is better - powerade or gatorade - before a run (whats the difference)? Or is it all just marketting hype.

And how soon before the run for it to take effect (currently, I'm taking a half litre about an hour before my runs, and wouldnt take it at all for any run less than 5 km).

Please, no science... I'm just a muppet.

MuppetMan.

RacoonQueen

I wouldn't take it at all before a run, I'd take it maybe an hour and a half or so into a run.

rainbow kirby

I wouldn't bother. If I had to have something before a run, I'd rather water and a banana than a bottle of Powerade or Gatorade.

HardyEustace

I wouldn't bother. It's just the latest marketing hype to make you pay lots of money for water with a bit of sugar and water in it.

I have to admit that I got a big smile on my face when I heard the term

pre-hydration

the latest term that sports drinks companies use to persuade you that paying two euros for a bottle of powerade will aid your training/race performance.

uglyjohn

i wouldnt bother for those sort of distances. i do try and make sure im hydrated before i run but that involves some water/juice 30 mins or so before.
the only time i ever pre hydrate with a sports drink is while waiting on start line of a marathon.

if however you feel better running with some neon sugar water in your belly why not? just pick which ever you prefer the taste of and have fun

ronanmac

Hmmm... interesting. I was one of those suckered by marketing and religiously used carb/electrolyte drinks, but in an effort to cut out as much "bad stuff" from my diet as I could, I haven't used them at all this year.

Am training for Gaelforce and for DCM, but as still not running longer than 13 miles, was wondering is some sort of carbo/electrolyte drink needed once I start ramping towards 20 miles?

Also, I have always used gels during marathons and found them great (maybe the placebo effect?), but was wondering if there was a more natural alternative?

kevinkilbane

alright muppet. powerade/lucozade/gatorade. dont know what is better, but what ever ones tastes nicer, go for that.
myself, i dont go for em, as i think theyre too expensive. i just stick to the water, and the robinsons lemon for flavour. i dont know about the science, wouldnt be an expert on the subject, but im sure they do help when you get them toward the end of a marathon, but then again anything will do, sweets jellys and so on, quick glucose hits..
the marketing does work though, i used to be big time into them and maybe i would sup on one before a big race but if i didnt have one, i wouldnt panic, water will do and a good breakfast. do you feel they help you on your training runs/races??? if so, then go for it.

plodder

Don't believe in the stuff at all, except during and at the end of marathons, where the need to boost blood sugar levels is a bit more urgent. For normal running all you need is water and regular food for energy imho.

Racing Flat

Muppet Man wrote: »

Which is better - powerade or gatorade - before a run (whats the difference)? Or is it all just marketting hype.

And how soon before the run for it to take effect (currently, I'm taking a half litre about an hour before my runs, and wouldnt take it at all for any run less than 5 km).

Please, no science... I'm just a muppet.

MuppetMan.

If I have eaten well in the day, I wouldn't take anything, but if I didn't eat too well, or I was expecting a particularly gruelling session, or race, I take an energy drink. They're all much the same. Essentially what you want is for it to be between 6 and 8% carbohydrate, so 6-8g of carbohydrate per 100ml. Lucozade sport, powerbar, gatorade etc. all tend to fall into that range, so hope that's not too scientific, but that's the main figure you need to check AFAIK.

911sc

powerade or gatorade: neither.
I would go for home made stuff: dash of ribena + water + pinch of salt. And you have got your cheap isotonic drink. But it may not taste as good depending on salt quantity.

Muppet Man

Thanks guys, this is helpful.

Its probably a placebo effect, but I seem to feel "less knackered" at the end of a 10k run if I take power/gator-ade about an hour before kick off. However, I can see the logic that drinking plenty of water throughout the day would probably be as effective...

Cheers
Muppet Man.

lecheile

911sc wrote: »

powerade or gatorade: neither.
I would go for home made stuff: dash of ribena + water + pinch of salt. And you have got your cheap isotonic drink. But it may not taste as good depending on salt quantity.

I use a DIY recovery / energy drink that makes a litre and the recommended salt content (Trinity's sports science department) is a single sachet of McDonald's salt. I also add 60grms of glocuse to 911sc's suggestion. Works for me and is cheap and easy to make.