[wyrillco]

Do you have anything you like?<br><br>
I tried a gel last weekend for the first time and it was nasty. I was expecting it to be less solid and more fluidy. I couldn't force much of it down, and then I almost passed out in the shower after my long run. So clearly I need to do something during the longer runs, but I can't do the gel.<br><br>
I bought some shot bloks (they are like big square gummy bears, kind of). I'm going to try those, maybe tonight at the end of my run just to test it out.<br><br>
The gel also kind of made my tummy cramp up.<br><br>
And what is the difference between sport beans and regular jelly beans? Or between shot bloks and gummy bears?

 

[Nettie]

I use bloks, but I also like gels. Gatorade is the only thing that makes my tummy a little uneasy, but I tend to get used to it.

 

[runningINnyc]

Gels work for me but the ones w/out a whole bunch of crazy flavor ...my fav being the just plain flavor of GU. I tried out the Jelly Belly Sports Beans but they were too sugary for me. Cytomax makes for a nice drink along longer runs but there aren't a ton of races that have it served along the course.

 

[runningINnyc]

More on this after re-reading your post. I find the sports bean have more sugar in them vs. gummy bears or even regular jelly beans. The gels can be hit or miss - I find that I need to swish them around in my mouth with a fair amount of water in order for them to sit right in my stomach.

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Vanilla Gu for me, and Gatorade.<br><br>
I've tried the blocks and beans, but I find I don't like to chew while I run. The gels are easier to ingest.

 

[theia]

I like the Sport Beans. The gels give me major stomach distress.

 

[merigayle]

I hate gels, mean to my belly. I LOVE clif bloks. especially strawberry. the beans are not bad, but too complicated to eat while running and freeze in the winter, almost broke a tooth <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad">

 

[wyrillco]

Hmm.. it sounds like I just need to experiment. One of my coaches says she eats jolly ranchers, just sucks on them. I'm afraid I'd swallow it whole.

 

[altoids]

I like the shot bloks, they seem to be easy enough on my tummy.<br><br>
I also like the sports beans, very tasty and good texture, but their package is too crinkly. Makes noise when I run.<br><br>
In any case, make sure you are drinking enough liquid with whichever one you are eating!

 

[augie09]

I don't really like the cliff bloks. its too much, i can't breathe while I am eating them, take forever to chew. I go with GU (espresso, chocolate or strawberry banana) most of the other flavors are disgusting.

 

[wyrillco]

I tried the strawberry banana gu on Saturday and about hurled. Isn't it funny how tastes are totally different?<br><br>
I love jelly belly jelly beans, so I may try some of them. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[merigayle]

before the time of beans and bloks, i had tried every gel. The best on my tummy and the best consistancy was the Accel Gel in chocolate. But any gels, once i had more than 3 or 4 in my tummy made me feel like i ate a quart of elmers glue <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad"><br>
I think the brand is carboom? they had an apple cinnamon one that was good too.

 

[wyrillco]

ooh, meri, you nailed it. It was like (badly) flavored elmers glue.

 

[merigayle]

the invention of beans and then clif bloks really made a HUGE difference for me. I used to get very very sick to my stomach during races. Luckily those new items coincided with starting ultras. I would have been SOL if not. Right now i am taking 1 serving of clif bloks every 30 minutes, except when i supplement with choc soy milk or a clif Mojo bar.

 

[Hippo]

It might be a long shot, but another thing you could try is certain kinds of dried fruit. My grocery store has bulk papaya and candied ginger. I find both of those to be a decent consistency for me.<br><br>
After some experimentation, you might also hit the candy aisle. Gummy bears are a possibility for instance.<br><br>
The other one that is a fave at ultras is boiled potatoes. If you like your potatoes a little undercooked, this is perfect for carrying along (otherwise a mess.) Just use little red potatoes and slightly undercook. You can carry them in pockets quite handily.<br><br>
This is one of the fun things about running - experimenting to find what works for you.

 

[merigayle]

oh yes! i eat dried fruit during my long runs and ultras.<br><br>
This is the Meredith nutritional plan:<br><br>
water<br><br>
clif blocks every 30 minutes, except when consuming something else over 100 calories<br><br>
mojo bars<br><br>
chocolate soy milk (or Ensure) and i think i will bring some Very Vanilla soy to my next race as well<br><br>
dried fruit<br><br>
electrolyte capsules.<br><br>
I like to keep to mostly liquid nutrition because i find it is easiest to digest.

 

[hahaoya]

I've been thinking of creating such a thread.<br><br>
I use gels and Clif Blocks and I use them interchangably; I like to have something to chew (so I feel as though I am consuming actual food), but gells are much easier to carry and a bit cheaper.<br><br>
My favorite gels are Crank Sports gels, though they are larger than typical gels, but they taste great and made with electrolytes. I loathe Gu brand gels. The consistency is the worst. I like Carb-Boom, too, but not everyone carries the brand. I can only tolerate gels if I take them with a good amount of water (as runningiNYC has said already). And that's how they are meant to be consumed, by the way.<br><br>
Salt Stick caps every hour if I'm planning to be out more than a few hours and it's very hot out.<br><br>
And I only bring water with me because sugary liquids leave an uncomfortable film on my tongue.<br><br>
I'd try Sport Beans, but they are not cheap.<br><br>
I'd love to be able to take real food with me, but it's not practical. I carry two hand-helds along on my runs and I only take what I can fit into each zippered pocket.

 

[augie09]

I haven't seen those salt stick caps. I need to find those, I am definitely running low on salt after 2+ hours.

 

[hahaoya]

I have only been using them for two weeks and I definitely notice a difference. Plus, my sweat tastes saltier. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br>
I bought mine from zombierunner.com

 

[Nettie]

What kind of difference have you noticed?