[RichardC]

I am planning a long run tommorow of about 14-18 miles..<br><br>
However it will be -14 degrees or so with windchill.. I ran earlier in the week and my gummie bears turned Rock solid from the cold... and I would think a gel would as well.... any suggestions or advice ?<br><br>
the only thing I can think is keeping it in some sort of small sandwich baggies and keeping it next to my skin.

 

[runirishnc]

That seems like it would work. When I lived in western NY I used to put the Gu's in my gloves, one in each hand and they worked out fine. I use Cliff Bloks quite a bit now and am curious about how they would work out, probably like the gummies.<br><br>
I have turned into a wimp, ran 12 today in 38 degrees and planning 20 tomorrow and already whining. Can't comprehend -14 anymore.<br><br>
Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Hippo]

I can attest that shot blocks get very stiff and hard to chew.<br><br>
One possibility is to go for something that won't change. Smarties (tm) or the giant versions you can find in bulk are just compressed glucose powder. I would bet they don't change much and I've never had blood sugar problems with them when I'm already in the "burn anything available" mode.<br><br>
If you want to keep the contents of your waterbottle liquid, ethyl alcohol is a good antifreeze, just sayin' <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[RichardC]

ON the water bottle... I wonder should I add a few "drops" of something in there to keep my gatorade water mix from freezing?<br><br>
Also if I just kept using hard Candy that would work as well for the later half?

 

[Hippo]

Another possibility: do potatoes freeze hard? It's possible that the old ultra standby - boiled potatoes - might stay chewable a little longer.<br><br>
You might do everyone here a favor by trying a number of things and letting us know what works best.

 

[merigayle]

granola bars or clif bars or something hold up ok. clif blocks hold up better than other products. I almost broke a tooth a couple years ago on a frozen jelly belly sport bean <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> I find that the camelback does better with the cold weather than the handheld. Also, start with hot water will give you some leeway with the time it freezes.<br><br>
this is why i have a treadmill <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Chupacabra]

Cliff bars are ok as long as you don't have TMJ. I ate a couple at the Slug event two weeks ago and my jaw still hasn't recovered.Cliff blocs are ok.

 

[Chupacabra]

The sugar content in Gatorade alone will make it less prone to freezing than straight up water.

 

[pithydoug]

First off keep your bottle under your jacket. If it's above feezing under your jacket, you're likely in deep trouble. The same for whatever bars you carry, Tuck them the waist band of you tights which is also under your jacket.

 

[ctxcrossx]

<br>
This is the key for keeping anything from freezing. If you have a backpack style hydration system....throw it on after your base layer and then put everything on top of it. It'll keep your water from freezing....also, if it has pockets, you can keep your food in there and your generated body heat should keep it from freezing.<br><br>
The other option is to plan a route that has food and water. Make a stop at dunkin donuts, grocery store, etc. and get a small bottle of water or bite to eat. Be careful if you use a waterbottle and fill up at sinks because if your water freezes between stops, it's useless for the rest of the trip.<br><br>
Good luck.<br><br>
Chris

 

[pithydoug]

Especially those 'testy" areas. <img alt="blush.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/blush.gif">

 

[RichardC]

Alright here is my report.<br><br>
Gels and Cliff shots blocks both stay quite toasty when next to skin... I have future Ideas if I do this again.. however I doubt I will... the Gatorade mix in my handhelds never forze... but It froze up like a Banchee near the opening so after about mile 8 my Hydration tanked terribly as well at mile 16 I cramped terribly... did fight it to mile 18 but I am tired....<br><br>
P.S. it was -27 before winchill when I started warmed up to about -2 before windchill by the time I wa sdone... took me 3:20 minutes to finish.

 

[runirishnc]

Nice job Richard.<br><br>
I use a Nathan running vest with a 3 liter water reservoir in it and I threw it over my base layer (like Chris mentions above) and had no problems with it freezing. They are lifesavers for me on long unsupported runs, today was 4 hrs and plenty of water.<br><br>
It was 26 (actual) with a steady wind down here. You would have probably been fine in shorts here.<br><br>
I am with Merigayle's comment about treadmills, anything with a (-)sign in front of the temperature and I might be tempted to hit the treadmill.

 

[ChrisG]

For those with hydration tanks, do you insulate the tube to keep it from freezing or wear the bag inside a jacket? I'm really curious if the insulated tubing works. I normally don't wear a jacket (I'll layer two long sleeve shirts for < 25F) unless its windy or snowing.<br><br>
Of course, I don't go out if the temperature is in single digits or -. The treadmill isn't that BAD.<br><br>
Thanks!<br>
Chris G

 

[Woodrunner]

I have one of those insulated tube things for my camelbak, which I was using XC skiing yesterday. To keep the tube from freezing I stick the end of the hose with the bite valve under my top layers, under my chin, and pull it out to take frequent sips. Another thing that helps is I fill my camelbak up the night before and leave it by the woodstove so the water will be nice and warm when I start out.

 

[ctxcrossx]

In my opinion, the insulated tube should always be used. It not only works in the winter to keep your drink from freezing, but also works really well in the summer so you don't get that warm bit of water before the good stuff in the bladder.<br><br>
Chris

 

[corrade]

I've had this problem and someone reccommended carrying the bottles upside-down. Haven't had a chance to try it out yet, just passing it along. <img alt="surprised.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/surprised.gif">

 

[Sherpa John]

When I hike here in NH, my camelbak tube freezes constantly. Yes.. its THAT cold. I usually just shove the tube down my shirt and let my body warmth heat it up enough to melt the ice inside the tube or prevent freezing.<br><br>
Never had my handheld freeze on me yet.. but I did have slush on my last long run.<br><br>
try filling your handheld with WARM water. By the time you're ready to drink from it, it'll be COLD instead of FROZEN.<br><br>
Keep those gels in a pocket or close to skin and they'll be fine. I don't recommend keeping a gummy bear close to skin though... that could get messy, <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

 

[pithydoug]

I'm not sure I would want to bet my fluid content on the upside-down technique. Almost all tops leak which is likely to empty some or all of your precious fluid. If you're wearing your bottle in the middle of your back as most of us do, a sticky sport drink in your vertical smile will glue your cheeks together while your looking for some snow to lick or puddle to drink from.<br><br>
Just keep it under your outer layer where it had best be warm(above 32F) or you have a bigger problem. <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif">

 

[ctxcrossx]

<br>
This is an old mountain biking trick that works well because you put the bottles in the cage and since the ice forms at the top of the bottle (which is now the bottom), you can still drink from it.<br><br>
Personally, I'd avoid this. There is a good danger of the bottle leaking on you or even having the top open up and dump all over you. I'd much rather have frozen water, than risk turning myself into a popsicle. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Chris<br><br>
EDIT: Sorry, didn't see the previous post when I posted!