was this good advice? energy gels...

chris_bass

Hi

my friend at work sometimes runs home. Its a bit shy of 6 miles and he has to take an energy gel to have en route, i told hime to just have a banana or something a little bit before he sets off and save the money, he ignored my and carries on.

Its just my opinion, obviously, but unless you are doing over an hours exercise do you really need to have an energy bar or is it just habbit/psychological for him?

i know each person is different, but 45 mins of running should be pretty easy without needing to re-fuel on route shouldnt it?

t.m.h.n.e.t

It could be psychological or he could be using gels to make up for an inadequate general diet.

Best leave him to it if he doesn't want advice.

Grill

To each their own, but your buddy must have the worst glycogen stores I've ever encountered...

GavH

He should not require an energy gel to sustain any kind of pace over a mere 6 miles. Unless as TMHNET has already said, his diet is significantly lacking. That being the case, I'd reckon your right in that a banana would be a far cheaper option (nature's energy bar!).

kieranb

well, as long as he has eaten a bit before hand I'm surprised he would need a gel. I did a 7 mile run last night and didn't bother with either food or water as usual.

cougie

Thats's psychological more than physical. I run half marathons and sometimes up to approaching 20 miles without food first thing. It takes a gel 20 mins to kick in anyway - so does he really need it for the last 4 miles ?

amaferanga

Its in his head. Ever seen a 10km runner such as Mo having a gel mid-run? How absurd would that be....

chris_bass

thats what i thought!!

think i'll leave him to it, the worst thing is he is trying to run to keep fit and keep in shape but i'd imagine that the energy gels he has all but negate any of the work he does on the run!! ah well!

GavH

I'm no nutritionist, but fairly sure that most gels (less perhaps the isotonic ones) require consumption of water with them in order to facilitate absorption. So, unless he's drinking water on the run as well (definately not required for just 6 miles), then he's probably getting less benefit from it that he thinks. +1 to all the 'in his head' suggestions in that case.

amaferanga

GavH wrote:

I'm no nutritionist, but fairly sure that most gels (less perhaps the isotonic ones) require consumption of water with them in order to facilitate absorption. So, unless he's drinking water on the run as well (definitely not required for just 6 miles), then he's probably getting less benefit from it that he thinks. +1 to all the 'in his head' suggestions in that case.

Most buy not all gels.

GavH

amaferanga wrote:

GavH wrote:

I'm no nutritionist, but fairly sure that most gels (less perhaps the isotonic ones) require consumption of water with them in order to facilitate absorption. So, unless he's drinking water on the run as well (definitely not required for just 6 miles), then he's probably getting less benefit from it that he thinks. +1 to all the 'in his head' suggestions in that case.

Most buy not all gels.

That's what I said.

dodger421

GavH wrote:

So, unless he's drinking water on the run as well (definitely not required for just 6 miles).

Generally speaking I agree with that, but it depends on the weather. I know that if it's above 20C I need to either over hydrate before I start, or take a small bottle of water with me for a 10k. *Edit* That is of course based on my own personal experience, other people will differ.

I'll admit I've never used a gel for a 10k, but each to their own. I know plenty of people who have one just before starting a 10k race, though I personally don't see the benefit. I'd rather have the porridge and a couple of bananas in the morning before I start.

Mikey23

Been running for years and never use an energy gel on a 10k run. No possibility of energy depletion over such a short distance. Would only hydrate if seriously hot. Would eat appropriately but not within three hours. No harm I guess but I can't see the point...

SPOC

I come from being from of a runner before turning to cycling, I have literally never heard of anyone taking energy gels or anything of the like out with them for anything as little as a 10k, mental.

dw300

He's not alone .. advertisers wet dream .. these guys keep the big companies ticking over.

I'd start trolling him and make suggestions for other things that he should be using on his run .. then report back the most absurd things you can make him buy.

It's important that when people don't heed good advice that you take advantage of the situation and then spread the lulz.

diy

What about the stimulants in the gel? There isn't any caffeine in a banana for example.

I tend not to do rides of less than 2 hours, unless I'm on the turbo, but I do find the isotonic/energy drink I add to my water gives me a pretty instant hit. Its most noticeable on long endurance rides (6hrs+), but I'd say the "hit" you get from a slurp is noticeable within a minute or so.

GavH

diy wrote:

What about the stimulants in the gel? There isn't any caffeine in a banana for example.

I tend not to do rides of less than 2 hours, unless I'm on the turbo, but I do find the isotonic/energy drink I add to my water gives me a pretty instant hit. Its most noticeable on long endurance rides (6hrs+), but I'd say the "hit" you get from a slurp is noticeable within a minute or so.

Not all gels contain caffeine.

Pretty sure I read somewhere (here on BR perhaps?) that gels take about 15 mins to be absorbed, so I'm doubtful there would be the same instant hit as your drink mix beyond perhaps any sugar effect. :?:

diy

You might be right, but I was riding with a mate a few years back who was not used to doing rides of 2+ hours. He didn't take on any food and despite being fit (fitter than me at the time) he had a full body cramp and fell off his bike, we were half way up a hill and had to go back for him. He was rolling around in pain from the cramps, I gave him a gel and he recovered in 2 mins. May have been coincidence. But the cramps were likely to have been caused by dehydration and loss of electrolytes etc.

Mikey23

Granted on a bike ride of two hours plus. But not on a 10 k taking 45 mins ...