GU Energy Gel, Power Bar Gel & Power Bar Energy Bites

To prepare for my 10 mile run, as I work up to a 13.1 mile distance, I hit Big 5. Got a hydration pack with a couple of water bottles for my G3.

I also picked up a GU Energy Gel pouch (Stawberry Banana with no caffeine). It feels VERY THICK!  Can it be mixed in water and put in one of my bottles? I know that the idea is to suck/gulp it, and to drink water BUT WE RNY'S HAVE TO SEPARATE LIQUIDS. Is that a factor here?

ALSO got a Power Bar Gel, which in the foil pouch feels thinner than the GU. Picked up a small pouch of PB Energy Bites (oatmeal raisin), which seem like they may be okay, but again the separating liquids comes into play, does it not?

I wanted to try a few things at  home rather than wait until I am away from home and the privacy of my own bathroom.

My  longest run to date is 8.84 miles, non-stop. No hydration or fueiling until the end. I also  hydrated well the day/night before and ran on empty stomach.

Any input on this is appreciated!

Thanks!
Kathy
 

I think 8 miles is just awsome. I have yet to try any of the gels yet . Now that I am running longer distances , staying hydrated while running is a concern to  me as well. I have my first 8 k out of the way and now I am looking for my first 10k.

Good luck

Thanks Andrea, and congrats on your acheivements! What 10K are you doing? I have a 10k route near home that I practice on (a bit over a 10 - 6.57 miles). I'm doing my first "official" 10k in June.

I agree with the hydration, which is why I got a hydration pack. Practiced a short run with it today, and it's not too bad...I wear it backwards so  my arms don't brush the bottles.

I just really want to make sure that I can finish a Half...which I hope to do around 2:45 (I may be dreaming...).  I know I will have to re-fuel in addition to hydration (race is in August). Therefore, i need to start experimenting.

Good luck on your 10K!!!

Kathy

Gosh, I'm afraid I can't be of much help. I haven't found it necessary yet to rehydrate on my 60- seconds-at-a time jogs on the treadmill...

Jenny

 Kathy, you might try the Hammer gels too, they seem to have a few less sugars which is what drew me to them.  They have some drink powders too that you can use.  I know for me taking a gel at around the 50 minute mark really helps.  It might be more psychological than physical, but I don't care, I just know I get a boost from it.   

On the actual races, I also found it so much easier just to stop at every rest area from mile 7 or so on and take a little water (they had them at every mile in the couple long ones I did), rather than trying to drink a larger amount at one time, which is what I do more on training runs - its really hard to try and drink a big gulp for me anyway.    

I mix mine with water.

The reason for the no water/fluid with the RnY  is that fluid will wash food right through the pouch, reducing that full feeling.
You aren't going for a feeling of hunger relief, what you are doing is providing an energy source for your body to complete your workout.  So drinking it is just fine.

Scott

Thanks for the input (LOL @ Jenny...made me smile ).

I tried the Power Bar Gel without caffeine. Slurped half at mile 8, then at mile 9 the other half. It settled just fine. I should have brought two and taken  one around mile 5 (after a long down hill and before the  long upward climb), then the other around mile 9.

The GU3 Recovery Drink sat fine as well. I drank 16 oz. during the 10.46 miles, then downed 16 oz. Powerade Zero (electrolytes) afterward, followed by my pure protein bar.

Thanks again!

Kathy

I use the Powerbar Energy Bites on the bike. I like to chew stuff on the bike. I like Gu Roctane gels as well.

When you are in the middle of an endurance workout, you can't think like a bariatric patient. The goal is to keep your energy up and you need to do that any way you can. That means eating slider foods (i.e., gels) and drinking while eating, and anything else you have to do to make sure you don't bonk.

On long runs I add Superwhey protein punch concentrate to my water and I nibble on Clif Shot Bloks, sometimes with caffeine, sometimes without. I like the combination of the energy/protein. I have a hard time sipping water from the cups on races. The sippy spout on the bottles on my fanny pack are much easier... no choking!

Thanks for the info:

I did pick up some energy bites, and ALMOST picked up some cliff shot blocks...but wasn't sure about the gummy consistency. I'm going to go ahead and get a pack to try this weekend!