Comments on: Energy Gel Comparison

By: Trail Goat

Trail Goat — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:52:00 +0000

Michele,
Thanks for the MdS tip. I don’t plan on taking any sweet food except for when I run or immediately afterward. Lots of dehydrated meals and nuts for me.

I experienced how a stage race can mess with one’s appetite at the TransRockies Run this year. After Stage 5 I sat and stared at a baked potato for a good half hour before I could get myself to eat it. Fortunately, I know I’ve got to fuel to run, even if I don’t want to.

By: Michele Jensen

Michele Jensen — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:04:00 +0000

I did MDS last year, and one of the major things I’d change in my food choices was to take less sweet stuff (like gels and bloks). While I could use them fine normally, the sweetness made me sick to my stomach in the desert. So – i’d just caution you to bring a variety of stuff. I was really liking the pretzels and nuts I brought, but unfortunately, i didn’t bring enough since i thought i’d be ok with the gels. Just a thought.

By: Trail Goat

Trail Goat — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:09:00 +0000

Mike from the UK,
I do really well with gels and had no problem with them when it was 116 F in the canyons at the Western States 100 a few years back.

I should have noted in the post, that despite all the technical considerations, I will heavily factor flavor in my gel choices. Fortunately, most of my favorite flavors at regular Gu or Gu Roctane flavors. I’ll probably bring some earthy Clif Shot Double Espressos, as well.

By: Mike Blamires

Mike Blamires — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:17:00 +0000

As everyone has said - great comparisons. I have never been a big fan of gels, so I usually stay away from them when I am running ultras and don't want to 'rock the boat' as it were and go for something more acceptable to my stomach and tastebuds!

I have found Honey Stingers are great one toast pre/post run.
When I do use them I usually go for Lucozade ones, they are sickly and unpleasent but I can use them on an empty stomach confidently.

I'd be worried about how the gels taste (or at least taste to you at that moment) in the heat of the desert and how seemingly unappetising they are going to be! I know that they are a whole new taste experience when it's extra cold!

cheers,
Mike, ultramarathonmike.co.uk/blog

By: Trail Goat

Trail Goat — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:37:00 +0000

@ AnthonyP, I'm the opposite re gels thickness. Too watery and I think I'm wasting space in my pack.

@ Meredith, I wonder why the gels and not the Bloks make you sick. For what I understand, most folks get sick do in part to the carbohydrates or their metabolites, which both gels and Bloks have.

@ Julien, thanks!

@ TrailFool. You're a regular chia head.

@ RunningMtns. Thanks for sharing the information regarding carbohydrates. I agree that a little protein consumption would help during an ultra length event.... if only I would act on it. I'm not sure where I've read it, but I thought I saw some info suggesting the fat consumption during endurance events was not at all helpful in providing additional energy. Of course, ideally we've trained our bodies to burn a whole lotta body fat during ultras.

By: Coach Spencer

Coach Spencer — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Never tried Stinger or Roctane, but of those listed, I'd choose:

1. Carbboom
2. Accel
3. GU
4. Hammer
5. Powergel
6. Clif

The flavor of the Carbboom is the best by far in my opinion. Accel is relatively new to me & I like the protein. I like Gu for a change. I used to only eat Hammer & Carbboom & only drank Heed to stay away from simple sugars. I thought it was easier on my stomach. Maybe it's b/c I'm running longer & slower, but I'm able to eat more variety now.

I also like Clif Blocks, Sport Beans & Sharkies.

By: Iron Mountain Trail Runners

Iron Mountain Trail Runners — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:17:00 +0000

The best gel out there in my opinion is a new gel made by Advocare. A guy gave me a few packets and during my last training run (long run) I used them and was running extremely hard. These gels use malodextrin, fructose, and sucrose as the energy and having all three really worked in my system. They only have on flavor (fruit punch) but it tasted great (I hate gels too) and I took one every thirty minutes without any stomach issues. As for salt, Salt Stick tabs have worked well in conjunction too.

Merry Christmas,
Nick Whited

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:09:00 +0000

I’ve been using the Gu Gels forever. The most important thing about using gels for me is that I use one just before a race, and then do one every 30-45 minutes, based on terrain and effort. I’ve found that I don’t get the acid stomach lots of runners get if I drink water, not sports drink at that fuel/hydration cycle. I also tend to cut my sports drinks with more water, from one third to one half to avoid acid stomach. But I’ve also done training runs with mead, rather than sports drinks, in the camelbak… The Northern Virginia Minotaur.

By: worm

worm — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:23:00 +0000

First off, thanks for the research. I’m with Meredith on this one. I love the consistency of shot blocks and how they’re not so syrupy sweet. However, I do mix it up with Clif gel whenever I have need for it as they are faster to consume and with less energy/concentration required than blocks. I typically go for vanilla or espresso flavors.

By: Will

Will — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:36:00 +0000

I’ll second the recommendation for e-Gel. They are one of the higher calorie gels out there (150 calories), taste the best to me, and sit the best in my stomach.