WHICH DO I CHOOSE????!!!!
So, over the last few weeks, I have been training for the Germantown Half Marathon. During my long runs, Coach Lesley has stated Remember Nutrition... On one of those runs, I forgot nutrition, went for a 2 hour run and bonked at 1.5 hours.. I forgot nutrition.. I guess it didn't help that I had only breakfast, skipped lunch and then went for a the run. This was not very smart...
Why do we need nutrition for endurance? Per an article I read on Beginning triathlete website " .....energy gels are utilized by endurance athletes to provide a quick boost of energy. They are small and portable. Most gel packs are easily tucked in small pockets or other nooks where a little bit of space is available. Endurance athletes can perform well on the body’s stored up energy supply for only so long. After these stores are depleted, this extra energy requirement has got to be made up somehow. Eating solid foods in the middle of strenuous exercise can be a recipe for a disaster for some athletes – can you say “gutbomb”? Energy and blood tied up in digestion cannot be used for more essential activities like providing energy to the muscles and cooling the body. Energy gels attempt to solve this problem. All energy gels contain a large portion of energy producing complex and simple carbs. Proteins and fats are slow to absorb and can sit in the stomach, so you won’t find a whole lot of them in gels. Their sole function is to get into your blood stream and do it as quickly as possible."
So, the next run, I tried GU ROCTANE. My husband and Coach Billy use them all of the time. I think their favorite is Cherry Lime, especially when you mix it with a coke/diet coke. So, I had a long 2 hour run and I took some Orange Vanilla GU ROCTANE.. I wasn't ready to try the Cherry lime just yet and there was only 2 left.. I had to save if for the hubby.. At mile 7, I tried a little bit... and it felt like it was stuck on my tongue.. I thought I looked like the dog trying to swallow peanut butter... hmm.. not good.. I took in some water.. and tried again 5 minutes later... it didn't get better....I was going to try to get this down.. so, I took in more water and I got it down...I was determined and I took One last Swallow... and the thick, gooey texture... just didn't work.. I finished run.. It was a good run, but my trial of GELS.. failed again... see a few years ago.. I tried the earlier versions of gels and they were too sweet and gooey, so I stopped trying until now.
I didn't want to give up. I needed to find a better solution than cutting up oranges and watermelon and stuffing them in a pouch.. So, I talked to Coach Lesley and she suggested Powerbar Energy Gels...She said it was more fluid like and the flavor is not soo sweet.. She gave me two gels to try, Strawberry Banana and Tangerine... The Strawberry banana tasted like a strawberry banana shake. Then the Tangerine tasted like the real thing... Also, the energy I felt was WOW... I have never finished a gel before because of the consistency and the taste, but now I think it will be different. I will take a gel before I start the half marathon and then again at mile 4, 7 and 10. I want to finish strong this weekend. Also, I don't have to worry about gooey mushy watermelon and orange slices. I can get those at the end of the race.
Happy training,
Eling
Speedy Turtle Triathlete!
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