Gels!
graham33
Posts: 265
in General Chat
Is it just me or is taking a gel like eating someone else snot!
I'm not sure weather to chew or just swallow.
Are there any good/nice ones out there?
What are people's thoughts?
I'm not sure weather to chew or just swallow.
Are there any good/nice ones out there?
What are people's thoughts?
0
Comments
Mate i agree, i took a few last year and hated them, so just didnt bother.
Used SIS Energy drink instead.
However i have now thought that without them, i am going to struggle, so have bought a few differnt ones and am going to test out to see if i can get on with any of them.
Agree with you about the texture though, like nothing else I've ever swallowed.
Out of interest, what is the benefit of gels plus water over energy drink?
I assume this is more of an issue at IM and 70.3 distance?
But like yousay it could be a long thread on nutrition!
but the most important thing is - it's nit jsut me that thinks they are like eating someone else's snot!
guarenteed that what I think its like swallowing isn't actually printable here[&:] its the salty edge and consistency that really makes me gag [:'(] await comments about different varieties with interest
The SIS ones make me sick every time... I tried to take them 3 or 4 times before giving up. My stomach will not accept that for some reason. Nothing else has ever made me feel that awful while running.
The Powerbar gels changed quite a bit the other year, they used to be really thick and sickly but now are quite fluid. You can almost get away with using them without any extra water.
The newer versions also have additional sodium, a couple of flavours also have caffeine if you need an extra boost.
I agree that they are probably best for half and full IM but as Conehead said they are great for transitions too on shorter distance.
They are by far the best way to boost your calorie intake.
[color=#ff0000]Two tips[/color]:
Don't use gels unless you have trained with them as this could really give you stomach problems on race day.
Rather than use individual gels on race day use a small gel bottle or two in your rear pockets on the bike particularly. It will save a lot of fiddling around when trying to open the sachet and you won't get sticky fingers.
Other suplliers and brands are available.
Also belts for holding up to 4 flasks.
I just carried two in rear pockets on my tri suit.
That bottle looks just like the ones that attach to my running belt - they are about 175mls each. I guess i don't need to buy new kit as i already have it, the GAT woman may take some backdated payments if i was to buy more (and unnecessary) kit at the moment...
Was planning to take one 20/30 mins before swim and then another half way through the bike (to make sure the run goes okish) but...
The packet says consume 3/4 per hour!!! that's a hell of a lot of gel!! I'll be spending more time taking them than pedaling.
Is this because its the isotonic stuff?
Would you guys just take water with it.
Or even bother with the gels at all?
Cheers,
Will.
the more i learn the more i realise i don't know!
I am going to take them 30 mins before and then every thirty mins.
I am also going to carry 1 bottle sis drink and 1 bottle water.
Although you dont need water with them, but as has been said before they taste like snot, and when i take them on there own it makes me gag.(stop it).
The worst thing that could happen is i'm buzzing all night.
The reasons to use gels are (standard caveat - in my opinion, your mileage might vary, race how you train, etc...)
1. They are easier to get down your neck if you're running / biking than a solid food or large quantities of sports drink whilst giving you enough calories to continue
2. Some are isotonic, which means that if you use them along with water you're rehydrating (water) and replenishing vital salts (isotonic) at the same time
3. While they taste a bit like warm, salty snot with hints of orange / lemon lime / blackcurrant, they are fairly easy on the tummy. I find they don't upset my stomach as much as eating powerbars or large quantities of sports drink
4. It's easier to take them. You can tape several to the top stem of your bike or wear a 'marathon' belt with multiple doses. All you have to do is tear the top and squeeze.
Reasons not to use them:
1. They are huge amounts of sugar. Makes some people jumpy.
2. Some have caffeine; this can make some people pretty uncomfortable.
3. They taste like warm, salty snot with hints of *pick your flavour*
4. If you don't take the isotonic ones, then you have to take water with them, and possibly supplement with sports drink to get the salts you need. This means having to carry more crap with you which means more weight
5. if you haven't trained with them, they can make your stomach turn circles. I spent the whole run of my first olympic trying not to puke because I sucked down a gel I'd never tried before.
moonshine - im glad someone else said it before i did but thats exactly what i thought of the first time i tried gels, offered to me by a very 'macho' bloke who was also a bit of a sleaze. i have now got over that image and go for SIS Go Isotonic gels everytime!!
yummy - ish. well okay i wont go that for but at least i can get em down. x
Cheers Gomiboy,
Although i did try them out last night on my ride home from work and it might just be my mind playing tricks - but the last 5 miles is uphill and i was going a quite a lot faster than usual.
Might just be getting fitter though! [:)]
Did finish off a bit buzzy mind - prob not a bad thing - as really fancied going out for a run after.....