Using gels for the first time

mel.b · 18-05-2016 08:53PM #1

I'mtraining for my first half marathon in mid July (kilarney half). Realistically it's going to take me over 2hrs so I think I need to start looking at using gels. However I have a sensitive tummy when it comes to running at the best of times, so I'm really wary ( and worried

) about using gels. Can anyone recommend some brands to start with? How soon after taking a gel will I know if it's going to cause me trouble? In terms of practicing with them to start with, is it ok to take one before a run or should I have done a few km's first? Any other hints or tips for starting out with them? I suspect I'm going to have a few runs where all I do is run laps of the estate so I'm close to a toilet just in case :eek::o

UM1 · 18-05-2016 09:03PM

Just go in to any sports shop and buy a few different brands...High 5,kinetica,power bar.As regards trying them out,if u are worried about being caught out toiletwise,go the the gym and use one there.. or just take one in ur normal course of the day and see how it reacts

ger664 · 18-05-2016 09:05PM

Realistically even running over 2 hours you should not need gels. Some runners take them for placebo effect in Half Marathons. I have taken gels recently for full marathon race and have been sick after the race, there effect on you will vary and it is really trial and error finding out what works and doesn't work.

As you have a dicky gut anyway I think you would be better off not taking them and getting your body used to running without the need for them from the start. The other option is some real food which is easily digested. Jelly babies and Jaffa cakes tend to be good choices.

kookiebrew · 18-05-2016 09:07PM

ive always used kinetica gels and have never had a stomach problem with them. Was in the same boat as you before my first race so did a training run and took a gel after 40 mins or so to be sure. Always take them with water though. Once you have a good meal the night before and something before the race you won't need to take one before you run. I usually have a bowl of porridge or wheetabix 2 hrs before a race.

I did that race last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, just be careful with all the downhill at the start, you feel great until you hit the straight then your legs seem to go to jelly, the section through the national park was very tough, but the scenery is amazing.

Best of luck with the race and I hope you have great weather for it.

Chartsengrafs · 18-05-2016 09:07PM

You sounds quite worried about them which is a shame, but most how you deal with them is trial and error. I have a sensitive tummy myself so I at least partly get where you're coming from

Your final line actually makes a lot of sense. Do you first few runs with gels close to home. If it helps settle your nerves/apprehension then go for it I say. You're doing it for your own benefit, so if it makes you more comfortable I think it's a great idea. You've only to please yourself!

In terms of brands, people react differently to different brands. But I think a more liquid (watery) one would be a good start. So say, Kinetica rather than Powerbar and Gu (which from memory are two thick ones).

In terms of your question about when you'll know if they're going to cause trouble - I hate to say, you'll know when you know (back to trial and error). It's really hard for someone else to second guess. It is quite likely however that you won't suffer ill effects. You've probably read a lot about gels not agreeing with people but they may be OK for you. No issue with taking gels pre-run either.

Maybe start with half of a gel at a time. A nifty trick I learned from a Boardsie years ago. You don't have to take a full one to start with. Bit of a long reply, hope some of it useful!

mel.b · 18-05-2016 09:58PM

UM1 wrote: »

Just go in to any sports shop and buy a few different brands...High 5,kinetica,power bar.As regards trying them out,if u are worried about being caught out toiletwise,go the the gym and use one there.. or just take one in ur normal course of the day and see how it reacts

The gym could be a good idea. I was also wondering if I'd notice the same effect if I just took one and then took the dog for a walk but I think the jiggling from a run is needed!

ger664 wrote: »

Realistically even running over 2 hours you should not need gels. Some runners take them for placebo effect in Half Marathons. I have taken gels recently for full marathon race and have been sick after the race, there effect on you will vary and it is really trial and error finding out what works and doesn't work.

As you have a dicky gut anyway I think you would be better off not taking them and getting your body used to running without the need for them from the start. The other option is some real food which is easily digested. Jelly babies and Jaffa cakes tend to be good choices.

Thanks Ger. I did the Sonny Murphy 10mile in 1hr50min with no gels or food, but I like the idea of jelly babies. Certainly sounds easier on the tummy than gels.

kookiebrew wrote: »

ive always used kinetica gels and have never had a stomach problem with them. Was in the same boat as you before my first race so did a training run and took a gel after 40 mins or so to be sure. Always take them with water though. Once you have a good meal the night before and something before the race you won't need to take one before you run. I usually have a bowl of porridge or wheetabix 2 hrs before a race.

I did that race last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, just be careful with all the downhill at the start, you feel great until you hit the straight then your legs seem to go to jelly, the section through the national park was very tough, but the scenery is amazing.

Best of luck with the race and I hope you have great weather for it.

Thanks Kookiebrew - I'm holding out for good weather too

I've read to be careful with the long downhill section. I'm trying to include as many hills as I can in my training runs so hopefully that helps. There is no way I could have a bowl of porridge a couple of hours before a run - that would be a recipe for disaster

I avoid all dairy for at least 4 hrs before a run. If I am running in the morning, depending on the length of the run I'll either run on an empty stomach or have a bagel.

Chartsengrafs wrote: »

You sounds quite worried about them which is a shame, but most how you deal with them is trial and error. I have a sensitive tummy myself so I at least partly get where you're coming from

Your final line actually makes a lot of sense. Do you first few runs with gels close to home. If it helps settle your nerves/apprehension then go for it I say. You're doing it for your own benefit, so if it makes you more comfortable I think it's a great idea. You've only to please yourself!

In terms of brands, people react differently to different brands. But I think a more liquid (watery) one would be a good start. So say, Kinetica rather than Powerbar and Gu (which from memory are two thick ones).

In terms of your question about when you'll know if they're going to cause trouble - I hate to say, you'll know when you know (back to trial and error). It's really hard for someone else to second guess. It is quite likely however that you won't suffer ill effects. You've probably read a lot about gels not agreeing with people but they may be OK for you. No issue with taking gels pre-run either.

Maybe start with half of a gel at a time. A nifty trick I learned from a Boardsie years ago. You don't have to take a full one to start with. Bit of a long reply, hope some of it useful!

Thanks for the suggestions about trying a more watery one - I wouldn't have known that the consistencies were different. Also the idea of trying just half a one is a good one, thanks

SausageDogDave · 18-05-2016 10:44PM

Don't forget to take them with water! As well as making it easier to get them down, water also helps them get absorbed into the body quicker. For a two hour marathon, one after 80/90 minutes could help. I wouldn't try more than that.

Personally, I think they do help but different people handle them differently, and perceive benefit from them differently). +1 re Kinetica. Torq ones are thicker but smaller and the most tasty.

Also, if you're not a fan of dairy before a run, try a child's portion of porridge with water (with berrys, seeds, etc...)

snaffled · 19-05-2016 07:36AM

I've tried the GU energy gels (the gel and the chews) for both biking & running, and never had any sort of a problem.

As mentioned above, maybe also try natural foods? I slowly ate a banana about 12-14km into a marathon, and it worked well for me. Small bites and no rush with it.

dekbhoy · 19-05-2016 10:30AM

could try an ellas kitchen smoothie if gels have negative effect. easy to take and all natural fruit.

kabuxa · 20-05-2016 06:45AM

I have run a couple of half marathons.. in 2.20 approx and only water. Maybe gummy bear, that's all. Do you really need them? I read an article about 'jellys' being better. Jelly Belly Sport... but cant find them in Ireland.

d.pop · 20-05-2016 07:05AM

I suffer terribly from a dodgy tummy, like yourself i thought I should try gels as the distances got longer, disaster.....I tried them all.
Luckily I tried them around the house or gym. Probably about 30mins to an hour after ingesting, wallop..watch out...!
What I do instead is have toast about 45 mins before race and take some jellies in a sandwich bag (waterproof) and an isotonic drink on the run (lucozade sport good for me and I sip often)
For marathons I eat at the aid stations usually Jaffa cakes but I also take a jam sandwich on white bread, crusts cut off and eat at half way! First time I had it I thought it the most amazing thing I had ever eaten.
Fueling before a race and even during has made a huge difference to my recovery and enjoyment overall.
Just to be careful I'd also take an Imodium before the race.
Gels not for me unfortunately, they taste terrible anyway.....

BeepBeep67 · 20-05-2016 01:30PM

kabuxa wrote: »

I have run a couple of half marathons.. in 2.20 approx and only water. Maybe gummy bear, that's all. Do you really need them? I read an article about 'jellys' being better. Jelly Belly Sport... but cant find them in Ireland.

Snow and Rock in Dundrum

mel.b · 20-05-2016 09:38PM

Si i survived my first experience using gels:P Tried half a Kinetica gel with water before my run tonight. It was only a short run (just under 6km) but done at a good pace for me and no problems thankfully. I might try the other half out tomorrow as I have a slightly longer, easier run planned. Sunday then is my long run and I've got some Natural Confec Company jelly snakes to try.

21-05-2016 06:24AM

mel.b wrote: »

I'mtraining for my first half marathon in mid July (kilarney half). Realistically it's going to take me over 2hrs so I think I need to start looking at using gels...

Why?

Would you not just see if you can run for 2 hours without them first, rather than assuming that a run over a certain time means they are necessary.

Don't use them myself, so not the best judge perhaps, I kinda see them as the last resort when one is drained, or the edge when someone is pushing towards the front. But to simply complete a half marathon, would you consider just...well simply trying to complete it and not worry about gels or feel you have to incorporate them?

livedadream · 23-05-2016 12:55PM

was delighted tlo see this post as im trying to figure out the same.

ive crohns so gels and all that stuff are a serious concern.

i went to my GP he said it shouldnt be necessary for a half marathon, that if i can do ten miles without it i should be fine.

he also recommended fruit pastilles or jelly babies if i was totally stuck.

hardCopy · 23-05-2016 01:00PM

Less is more for me. You shouldn't really need anything for a half, for a marathon I'd rather have something like a mini bag of haribo. I've tried the whole carb loading + sugar paste and I always ended up losing time to a mid-run pitstop. My most comfortable marathon experience was my third one where I took a lighter breakfast and less sugar than my previous efforts.

Experiment on your long runs and don't try anything new on race day.

Enduro · 23-05-2016 01:45PM

Lads, you really shouldn't need anything for a half marathon.

Using gels in training is training yourself to need gels (possibly physically, and almost certainly psychologically). That's counter-productive. You're adding a point of failure where you don't need to. It would be better to train yourself not to need them.

Stablemaster · 23-05-2016 01:46PM

Enduro wrote: »

Lads, you really shouldn't need anything for a half marathon.

Using gels in training is training yourself to need gels (possibly physically, and almost certainly psychologically). That's counter-productive. You're adding a point of failure where you don't need to. It would be better to train yourself not to need them.

Would bulletproof coffee suffice?

Enduro · 23-05-2016 01:48PM

Stablemaster wrote: »

Would bulletproof coffee suffice?

What have you found?

livedadream · 23-05-2016 01:50PM

Enduro wrote: »

Lads, you really shouldn't need anything for a half marathon.

Using gels in training is training yourself to need gels (possibly physically, and almost certainly psychologically). That's counter-productive. You're adding a point of failure where you don't need to. It would be better to train yourself not to need them.

any excuse for some haribo though :-) :P

Using gels for the first time

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