Best long run fuel product

Recently, on a long run, my buddy and I ate some Clif Shot Blocks, chewy carby things, a couple of times during the run. I really think it helped to sustain our energy.

Do you use these products? If so, what's the best product for the price out there?

Thanks!

I have tried lots of different ones.  Part of it is going to be what your body will tolerate.
I can eat any of them in moderation, but it's not nice if I go beyond.
I really like the Cliff Shot Roks.

http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_roks/

I also like to use the Gels.  I use them 2 ways.  I will mix some with water so that it is diluted and I will take it straight up.

You should try tehm at home or in a safe location first to see if will give you and gastric issues.  If it's all o.k. then progress to taking them out on a run or ride.

I also really like the Jelly Belly sports beans, but they truly are like candy and I can't keep my hand out of the bag, so I really have to execute some self control with those.

Scott

The best product is the one you like the taste and texture of and that give you the energy that you need. In spite of what the companies say, most of these products are pretty close to each other. They have 1 or 2 sources of carbs and some flavoring and some electrolytes.

That said, there are some things to look for:

-A mixture of two carbohydrate types is better than just one. Studies show that allows the carbs to be better absorbed than just having one source.

-Caffeine or no caffeine? Studies show caffeine can boost performance but only if you don't ingest it all the time. Save it for special workouts is my opinion

-Can you down a whole gel? I couldn't early out so I'd be carrying around this half eaten packet and get glop all over everything. A gel flask can help with that or you can just wait until you can down a whole one.

-Do you like to chew or does chewing upset your stomach. I like to chew on the bike but I can't on the run

-Protein or no protein. Studies show that the longer you exercise, the more protein can help with performance. Some of the gels have amino acids and so do some of the drinks. But protein can upset some people's stomachs too. Generally it's not advised to have protein when you run, but everyone's tolerance is different

 I have found a lot of success with Hammer's products.  I use the gels as well as Heed and Recoverite.  Don't mean to sound like an ad for them.  They don't have the sugars of some of the other products.  On my marathon I used hammer espresso gels and took the endurolyte pills from hammer.  On one of my training runs I also used their Perpetuam product.  

man, i have to tell you, during my last century the aid stations were stocked with heed.... wow, did i hate that drink :)  my bro-in-law and i were calling it "hass", because it tasted like, well, i'm sure you can figure it out :)

but seriously, it's all about what works for you.

 I been doing this melon flavor, honestly I thought it was good :)  guess I have an acquired taste for hass ;)

Yeah, I love the nutritional profiles of the Hammer products, but not the taste.

I use Amino Vitale on the bike, Infinit on the run and Gu Roctane, Clif Shot Bloks, and Powerbar Energy Bites at various times, usually biking, sometimes before / after swimming. On race day, if it's hot and a long bike ride, I'll supplement with Enduralytes because I drink more water and less sports drink on the bike during a race.

For recovery, I use Fluid Recovery Drink and real food. I used to use more real food on the bike, but real food isn't really practical for races so I have been using what I think I'll use on race day so I can practice.

But for workouts of 90 min. or less, I won't use anything bu****er unless I'm hungry.

Thanks for the specifics. I may just try a bunch of them to see what works for me. I have three months until my first half, so I have some time!

I used to worry about fueling for runs.  Now I hardly ever take anything on our long runs except for water.  Occassionally I will do some sport beans (max. of 4) during a 12-16 mile run, but it seems that as long as I'm hydrated that I'm fine, and actually I have had less leg and foot problems since I stopped fueling during the run.  Cycling I do need to stay fueled and hydrated.  I stick to the natural foods like bananas and oranges, sometimes peanut butter.  Can't stomach the gels.   Works for me but not for everyone.
Rob

I don't do anything for less than about 10-12 miles. For the longer stuff, I would go with watered down powerade. I have also used sandwiches, cookies and pretzles. The pretzles have probably worked the best because they messed with my stomach the least.