Home General Training Discussions

if u can't eat gels, then what?

I ate 17 gels during an ironman 5 yearrs ago. I almost died - and it wasn't from the race! GI upset was HUGE - since then I have tried really hard to choke down The Occasional gel during a marathon, but it is like Pavlov's dog - I break out in a sweat, start gagging and try not to throw up. I have since tried Ryvita + vegemite (yummy, very tolerable) but end up STARVING. Powerbars I find difficult to choke down as well. Anyone have any other suggrstions? 

Comments

  • Hi Monique — a lot of EN Peeps use fluid for their calories and sodium.
    On the bike, I use Hi 5 concentrated in a Speedfil bottle on the down tube which supples all bike calories and sodium. Every 10 mins I take some and wash it down with plain water — which I pick up off the course.
    For the run, I take coke and water, alternating with electrolyte and water.

    That said, if you are hungry, you may need some protein — which you could add to your drink on the bike.
  • Have you tried any of the gummy chews like Clif shot blocks? Or do those make you gag as well?
  • x2 Cliff shot blocks.
  • I can't say enough about Infinit! Many threads here on it if you search. I have been using it exclusively on the bike for over a yr and will start using it on the run as well this yr.
  • I'm a big fan of GU Chomps.
  • Honestly, I'm not a fan of gels at all because it is so easy to get them wrong - not taking enough water, taking too many.

    There are a ton of other options: sports drink, beans, blocks, chomps, etc. I'm a fan of keeping it really simple. Only one or maybe two items. If you get hungry, add in some protein (you can add some in to your Infinit if you choose that). Have a PBJ (Uncrustables and there's another but I can't think of it). My hubby does his IMs all liquid (one Infinit mix for his bike, another for his run) with a package of Clif Blocks that have caffeine for when he gets that fuzzy mental thing on the run.

    Start trying different things and see what you like and what your GI tract likes.
Sign In or Register to comment.