What are your thoughts on gels?

[ForestGrump63]

A running friend of mine (not on the forum) who runs half marathons before breakfast, has advised me to get gels for the longer runs. She says she has one for runs over 30 minutes. I wondered what everyone's thoughts on this were? I wouldn't mind something to give me a boost when I'm flagging. Question- do they make you 💩 ? I have a morbid fear of 💩 my pants on a long run 😬

[Maz1234]

I’ve used gels when I’ve done the longer ones and I’ve always been fine . If you google the best gels for running it will give you a list of gels . I always went with sis gels as you don’t need water and I never had any problems at all but it is trail and error and what might work for me might not for you.

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Maz1234]

Are they effective?

[Maz1234 in reply to ForestGrump63]

Yeah they definitely work. I used take one before I started the run and about half way round so about 5miles into the run you can see it on your times after when you have took the gel the next mile or so is always faster.

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Maz1234]

Thanks 👍

[Maz1234]

No problem I hope you find they work for you as well as they did me.

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Maz1234]

Me too. And hopefully they won't affect me in a negative way 😂

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I run before breakfast - tea and glass of water then off. For over 1hr 15mins I take 1/2 or whole banana. I run with jelly babies in phone holder, only needed to eat 1 on a run and that was on a 14k run last week. It’s as much getting to know your body. I do then lave copious amounts of water, bowl of porridge and fruit when I get back. Have a look at the calories you actually burn on your run to work out whether you need/want the fast burn calories in a gel. Happy running 🤗

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

So I work out if the gel calories are less than I burn?

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to ForestGrump63]

I guess you take one with you in case you need it. If you are trying to loose weight bear in mind these are extra calories. Only you know how your body responds to exercise and when it needs fuel. 30 minutes is not a long time to exert yourself.

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

I’m thinking of the longer runs over 60 minutes that I’m doing at weekends. Tbh if I had jelly babies in the house they wouldn’t last long, I have no willpower 😂 I’m not trying to lose weight but would be after a few weeks of jelly baby feasting 😂

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to ForestGrump63]

🤣🤣 I’m fighting against doing a big batch of baking as once it’s made it just cries out “eat me” Loads of oaty cookies full of nuts and apricots/dates/prunes maybe this is why I have energy to run on only 1jelly baby 🤣🤣

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Yes that’s what I’m like. I tend not to have sweet stuff in as I am not to be trusted with it

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

When I started running 10 miles I got SIS gels they come in all different flavours and don't seem to bother my stomach at all. What i did do was tried one on a shorter run just in case 🤣

scienceinsport.com/shop-sis...

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Buddy34]

Good plan 👍

[Hidden in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy. Just been on the link and they have some discounts on.

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I always look for offers on them, Holland and Barrett sell them also. 👍

[Hidden]

This is an interesting one. I will look what runners more experienced than I am say.

[Evol Graduate10]

I haven't even heard of gel so interested!

[Tinytears60 Graduate10]

I’m a bit scared of drinking in case I need a wee so I definitely think I will swerve the gels but wow you’ve made me giggle! So thanks 🤣🤣👍

[mrrun Graduate10]

I don't tolerate gels at all, don't like them (which, of course, does not mean that they don't work). The key is to experiment and find out through trial and error what works and what doesn't (energy bars, gels or electrolyte drinks). If you eat and hydrate well you shouldn't need anything until you start depleting your glycogen stores (sugar fuel in your muscles), which could be after an hour or so of exercising, depending how much you sweat. I don't take any drink or anything else for half marathon distance (but do not copy me, trust your own body). For marathon or, recently, 50km run, I only used electrolyte drink to refuel my glycogen reserves and hydrate. Again, that works for me, could be useless for you. Try different stuff over a period of time and once you've got it, stick with it. Good luck!

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

My thoughts on gels are 💩, which is precisely what happened to me when I last had one...

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to ju-ju-]

😱 my nightmare

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Dextrose sweets?

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to ForestGrump63]

If I run for more than an hour I take an electrolyte drink, and a flapjack or similar. I do also have dextrose tablets which are great for a boost when you need it.

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks. I don’t want to carry a drink and I would probably choke if I tried to eat a flapjack whilst running 🙄

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to ForestGrump63]

The best thing to do is to try out different things. How far are you planning to run?

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Currently on your magic plan 😉

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

No they don’t. I like them. SIS are vile, like wallpaper paste. I like torq but high 5 are a good starting one. You shouldn’t need one unless you’re running 10 miles or more. Can’t imagine why you’d ever need one for 30 minutes 🤷🏽‍♀️

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Tasha99]

I’ve ordered a High5 starter pack cos they’re comparatively cheap. My friend said she has one for runs longer than 30 mins so for her that’ll be anything over 5k .

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Tasha99]

Her over 5k runs tend to be over 10 miles

[Madge50 Graduate10]

I used High 5 gels, I tried SIS, but they didn’t suit me....I only use them for runs of 10 miles or more......I did use them when I trained for my first half marathon, the most I’ve ever used is 3, which was a bit too much.....🤢.....now, as my body has got stronger and I’m more used to long distances, I tend to use jelly babies only, (3 jelly babies = the same sugar in 1 gel) carry water, (I’ve got soft decathlon bottles that fit in my back pocket) and use a rehydration drink afterwards (high5 zero) if it’s really hot, i’ll carry a rehydration solution as my drink

Trouble is I’ve got a load that we’re given to me, and I hate waste, so I try to use them up on any long runs - at least one.....😂

I’ve never taken one before a run, I don’t quite understand that, - I have seen people take them before a parkrun........if you’re well hydrated and fed, you should have enough fuel on board for at least an hour, so I’d start fuelling at 5k or about 30 mins if I was planning a long run.....I think there’s a bit of marketing by the manufacturers there about having them before, during and after etc., .....🤔...

As others have said, it’s a personal thing, you have to experiment a bit to see what suits you......what you like carrying....(I hate carrying anything - I have a skort that’s got pockets all round the waist band....love it!) .I’m finding I use gels less and less though

For me, I find the rehydration tabs the best thing......

Have fun experimenting!

Mx

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Personally I don’t get on with them. Stomach ache and what you are fearing. For long runs I have successfully used the odd bite out of a cereal bar alongside water. I have tried dates but struggle to get them down. I think you just have to try and see what works for you.

[Setters Graduate10]

I take Tailwind on runs over 1 hour duration, water on its own under an hour, and nothing if planning 5k. I find anything sweet sickly on a run so rely on Tailwind alone, after talking to Tailwind nutritionist I have a couple of sips through bite valve every time my Garmin tells me I’ve reached another k marker. Works brilliantly for me, never had tum problems . I did buy the selection pack of Tailwind flavours to start with and glad I did before buying the bigger pack as the flavour I eventually got was not the one I thought I would prefer.

You can adjust the strength of your water/tailwind mix to suit you.

Hope you find something that suits you 🙂

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Setters]

That’s really useful, thanks

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Setters]

I’ve ordered a starter pack and a belt with bottles. Jeez I always said I didn’t want to get into the carrying water bottle malarkey. Needs must I guess. I’m going to try the High5 gels on a shorter run for safety reasons 😂

[Setters Graduate10 in reply to ForestGrump63]

I would hate to carry anything in my hands when running, so bought a hydration vest and I find it very comfortable, carried a litre of water/ tailwind on my half marathon run Friday( love saying that🤗) and honestly don’t notice the weight or vest at all. Loads of pockets for first aid kit, phone, dog whistle, tissues etc. Think this is really individual thing though, as many say Jelly babies, but honestly 🤢😅

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Setters]

I would eat a full pack of jelly babies as soon as I bought them, even though I know I’d feel ill afterwards. No willpower. Well done on your half marathon that’s awesome. I looked at the hydration vests too but decided that was for the future. I will try out my little bottle belt first. Small steps. Thanks for your advice 😊

[Run46 Graduate10]

I've recently tried the gels...the SIS one disagreed with me, thinking it may be coz it has artificial sweetener, usually ok with that but it's all I can think of. About 35 mins after taking I desperately needed the loo and had to detour home, yes I do mean what you're worried about.

I then tried a High 5 Isotonic gel which has no sweetener and was fine the 1st time on a 75 min run, 2nd time on a 90 minute run it made me feel sickly for 10 mins then ok...I believe as you get tired your stomach doesn't want to digest stuff as your body is busy elsewhere and it was a hot tiring run.

I'd read some people split a tube for ease of digestion so yesterday on an 8 mile run I took half a High 5 Isotonic with a few mouthfuls of water 45 mins in, then the other half around 20 mins later and was fine again so will continue like that.

I then have a sports drink on getting home as I'm quite sweaty on long runs and figure I need the salt replacement etc.

Good luck figuring out what suits you 👍

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Run46]

Thank you that’s really helpful. I’ve ordered a high5 starter pack I will try them on my shorter 5k run and see if they effect my stomach

[Mummy23 Graduate10]

I use SiS gels and SiS electrolyte tablets which you dissolve in water. I only take either if I’m planning to run for at least an hour. I have a ‘running’ water bottle (the ones that are kind of oval shaped with a hole in the middle so you can hold them) it holds 500ml, so I dissolve 1 tablet in that much water and fill the bottle with it. I use a gel at about 30-40 mins into my run and another one about 40 mins later (if I run that far!) So far my max distance has been 10 miles, which took about 2 hours. I only drink a small amount of water at a time to prevent getting a stitch. Like you, I was terrified about an adverse reaction!! So, maybe try whatever on a shorter run.... just in case!! Some of the flavours are less appealing (I bought a mixed box of gels, lemon tablets) but the only side effects are that one or the other makes me burp 😳🤣

Some gels contain caffeine (my brother swears by these) and some don’t... I have the ones with no caffeine, but I don’t ever drink coffee and he drinks loads!!

I think it really is about experimenting.... I’ve learnt that peanut butter on toast before a run is definitely not a good idea for me!!! 🤢🤢 Bananas, however, are fab!! Good luck! X

[Fauvemarin]

If you are looking for consistent energy, consider consuming complex carbohydrates (e.g., a bagel) an hour or so prerun. That should cover you for runs of an hour or so. For longer runs, gels are useful to replenish your glucose levels, but the general advice I have been given (and that my own body tells me), is that they shouldn't be the primary source of energy in your blood stream.

[Lysia]

I find SIS gels are the most palatable. I usually carry one "just in case" and don't actually use it. If I'm running more than an hour, I'll probably have one every half hour. Over a half marathon I usually have water first 2 miles, then a gel every third mile. It really isn't necessary under one hour, but helps when your glycogen (stored carbs) runs out. It really is an individual thing. You could also try jelly babies or jelly beans, or good old fashioned glucose tablets.