| |
Main
Date: 21 Jun 2006 15:56:54
From: Michael
Subject: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
I've never used them, but I'm having a good running year
(high mileage, no injuries) and I think I might try a marathon
in the fall.
Do you take one before the run and then one during some
intervals, say 10miles and then 20?
Is using PowerGels considered a slight cheat?
During a marathon, do you carry them with you, or do you
have someone toss them to you during the run?
Do you train with them?
Are there any negative side effects?
Thanks!
|
|
| |
Date: 21 Jun 2006 18:56:48
From: Donovan Rebbechi
Subject: Re: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
On 2006-06-21, Michael <emdeedubyatrois@cornell.edu > wrote:
> I've never used them, but I'm having a good running year
> (high mileage, no injuries) and I think I might try a marathon
> in the fall.
>
> Do you take one before the run and then one during some
> intervals, say 10miles and then 20?
Yes, but more frequently than that. I think I had about 4 for
my last marathon.
> Is using PowerGels considered a slight cheat?
No. Maltodextrin and similar are not on any doping list.
> During a marathon, do you carry them with you, or do you
> have someone toss them to you during the run?
Strictly speaking, I think the rules of most events forbid assistance
from support crews. Better to pack your own anyway.
> Do you train with them?
If you race with them, train with them. Use them on long runs.
> Are there any negative side effects?
Some people don't like them, but they won't kill you. It's largely a matter
of personal preference. Try them out and see if they work for you.
Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/
|
| | |
Date: 21 Jun 2006 19:53:57
From: Michael
Subject: Re: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
Phil, Charlie, Donovan, thanks a bunch! I really appreciate
it.
Mike
|
| | | |
Date: 21 Jun 2006 20:48:45
From: bj
Subject: Re: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
What I did when I wanted to try these out --
have one when I'm just going to be sitting at home (to see if I liked the
flavor & my stomach ok'd it to start with)
have one just before going on a short training run (to see if it still
agreed with me)
try one on a slightly longer run.
I don't do anything long enough that I *really* need gel. But this is how I
tested some out.
bj
|
| |
Date: 21 Jun 2006 11:43:42
From: Charlie Pendejo
Subject: Re: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
Phil wrote:
> Michael wrote:
>> Are there any negative side effects [to gels]?
>
> Other than vomiting and diarrhea, not really.
Well there's also the nasty artificial flavor of most of 'em, and the
sticky fingers from opening and squeezing the package.
I agree with Phil that you must experiment. The big D is a real thing,
for some people and some gels. If you don't want to pull an Uta Pippig
on race day, practice first on long runs, ideally on at least one long
relatively hard (like marathon pace, or a half marathon race) run.
One brand may agree with you, another will cause a violent revolt. My
GI system likes Carb-BOOM, which happily is also far and away the
tastiest gel product on the market.
Aside from the convenience/transportability factor, another reason
(most) gels might be preferable over (most) sports drinks is that most
of the carbs in gels tend to come from maltodextrin while sports drinks
(Cytomax is one notable exception) tend to be loaded with fructose...
and fructose won't exactly pacify your guts if your guts are anything
like mine (cf The Fructose Rebellion).
|
| | |
Date: 22 Jun 2006 03:26:29
From: Dan Stumpus
Subject: Re: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
"Charlie Pendejo" <Charlie.Pendejo@gmail.com > wrote
> Aside from the convenience/transportability factor, another reason
> (most) gels might be preferable over (most) sports drinks is that most
> of the carbs in gels tend to come from maltodextrin while sports drinks
> (Cytomax is one notable exception) tend to be loaded with fructose...
> and fructose won't exactly pacify your guts if your guts are anything
> like mine (cf The Fructose Rebellion).
Ya know, I've noticed that my stomach is a bit unsettled with Fructose, not
so much a Rebellion as a sit-in, if you catch my drift.
Cytomax is good, but I find that Accelerade with it's 25% protein sits
better (protein controls acidity in the stomach), even though its sugar is
mostly sucrose (which is benign if you take it after you're warmed up -- no
blood sugar bounce when in exercise mode).
We now return to the orignal topic...
PS: I generally prefer real food snackettes when running to sticky gels,
although I'm a sucker for banana flavor ones...
|
| |
Date: 21 Jun 2006 09:27:56
From: Phil M.
Subject: Re: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
Michael wrote:
> I've never used them, but I'm having a good running year
> (high mileage, no injuries) and I think I might try a marathon
> in the fall.
>
> Do you take one before the run and then one during some
> intervals, say 10miles and then 20?
This is an individual thing. The key is experimentation. See what works
best for you. When I use gels I would start taking one at 10 miles,
then every 5 miles after that. So I would have an energy drink ever
other 2.5 mile interval, then the gel with water at the other 2.5 mile
interval. I'm not sure if they gave me any additional benefit when
compared to energy drink with enough calories. For runs greater than
marathon length I prefer real food, such as cookies, fig newntons, or
if needed, something with salt such as pretzels, chips, or baked potato
dipped in a plate of salt.
> Is using PowerGels considered a slight cheat?
No. Except there are some gels that have added caffeine. The use of
caffeine may be prohibited in some events. Probably not a big deal
unless you are winning events.
> During a marathon, do you carry them with you, or do you
> have someone toss them to you during the run?
Both. Some events will supply gels, usually not until after the 15 mile
mark. If you 're going to use the race's gels, make sure you train with
that same brand and flavor. You don't want any surprises on race day.
> Do you train with them?
If you're going to race with them, you certainly need to train with
them. You need to experiment and find out what your stomach can handle,
what quantities are optimal for you, and if necessary, you need to get
used to the gels they'll be serving at the event (same goes for
fluids). I like to find out several months in advance what they'll be
serving at the aid stations. Then I can either start training with the
same exact product or figure out a way to bring my own. Your long runs
are ideal for experimenting with this sort of thing.
> Are there any negative side effects?
Other than vomiting and diarrhea, not really. :-) Although that mide be
the result of not doing enough experimenting.
--
Phil M.
|
| | |
Date: 21 Jun 2006 18:54:15
From: Donovan Rebbechi
Subject: Re: What's the story on PowerGels?
|
On 2006-06-21, Phil M. <pmarg@charter.net > wrote:
>> Is using PowerGels considered a slight cheat?
>
> No. Except there are some gels that have added caffeine. The use of
> caffeine may be prohibited in some events. Probably not a big deal
> unless you are winning events.
I think it's been removed from the doping lists, but in the quantity that
is used in those gels, it should be a non-issue anyway.
[snip]
> Other than vomiting and diarrhea, not really. :-) Although that mide be
> the result of not doing enough experimenting.
To avoid indigestion, look out for anything that has fructose. Most good gels
Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/
|
|
