Losing weight/fitness thread

[Paperboy]

I've used SiS gels before the Blackcurrant one is good. A friend got me onto Veloforte an all natural one, I use the Blackcurrant and Elderflower one. I'm trying some of there chewy sweets at the moment to see how I go on those. So it's not just gels for my Marathon.

 

[BrianM]

Gels for me as well now, had one at the 5 mile mark last week and flew during the next 5.
Had 2 yesterday to try and get me going, didn’t work and stopped at mile 8, so I don’t think they are always the answer.
When I did my half last year, I didn’t take anything apart from myself.

 

[Paperboy]

I tend to take two for a half marathon, one at around 45 minutes and a second 30 minutes later. I think I'd probaly now take one at 40 minutes and another 25 minutes later.

I'm still trying to work out a marathon scheme at least one gel an hour plus some other sort of Carb for the kick.

 

[PaulMdj]

I tend to take two for a half marathon, one at around 45 minutes and a second 30 minutes later. I think I'd probaly now take one at 40 minutes and another 25 minutes later.

I'm still trying to work out a marathon scheme at least one gel an hour plus some other sort of Carb for the kick.

Do you carry a drink on your long runs?

 

[pendodave]

I think current thinking in a lot of cycling circles is that you make up one water bottle with sugar solution (there's a ratio between 2 different types, but I can't remember what it is), then another bottle with just water.
This provides the sugar and hydration required. Despite all the la-di-da marketing, that's pretty much all you need to keep you going. Maybe a bit of salt. Much cheaper than gels.
However... obviously it's easy to carry multiple bottles on a bike, maybe not so much if you're running.

Personally, if I'm out for exercise it's normally an hour or less and I don't bother with anything. If I'm out for a day of cycling, I use jelly babies for tasty sugar and homemade flapjacks for something a little more substantial.

I don't race (running or cycling), or participate in endurance fondos, but I think if you do it's really important to practice nutrition and hydration as part of your training. Many products lead to unpleasant stomach/digestion issues if you're using them over a long period in conjunction with vigorous exercise. Just like you wouldn't put on a pair of shiny new shoes for a long race, you shouldn't crack open lots of shiny new gels that you've not tried before.

 

[Paperboy]

Do you carry a drink on your long runs?

Never have, longest run not in a race has been HM distance. I've planned my long runs around Saturn running races in London, so I can just use there aid station.
I've got a 19 miler in mid March, that If I need a drink I'll buy one on the route.

 

[PaulMdj]

Never have, longest run not in a race has been HM distance. I've planned my long runs around Saturn running races in London, so I can just use there aid station.
I've got a 19 miler in mid March, that If I need a drink I'll buy one on the route.

I wondered as I struggled with some gels in the past, but found they were easier to take with a drink.

 

[Paperboy]

I wondered as I struggled with some gels in the past, but found they were easier to take with a drink.

I've never had an issue with gels, always seem to be ok for me. I'm just trying to find something extra so I'm not having 8 or more gels for the marathon.
Could get a bit tedious

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I wondered as I struggled with some gels in the past, but found they were easier to take with a drink.

@Paperboy is right it’s a DIY electrolyte mix: One of the lads here makes it, he used to be a long distance cyclist and now he does iron man’s (freak)

But he makes it and according to him it’s water, a pinch of sea salt for sodium , a small amount of sugar or honey for quick release carbs, and a squeeze of lemon,
Lime or orange do a citrus flavour to make it palatable. He swears by and to be fair his endurance is a joke.

 

[PaulMdj]

@Paperboy is right it’s a DIY electrolyte mix: One of the lads here makes it, he used to be a long distance cyclist and now he does iron man’s (freak)

But he makes it and according to him it’s water, a pinch of sea salt for sodium , a small amount of sugar or honey for quick release carbs, and a squeeze of lemon,
Lime or orange do a citrus flavour to make it palatable. He swears by and to be fair his endurance is a joke.

It’s carrying the water v carrying the gels, no issue carrying a bladder or wearing a vest for longer runs, hate carrying a bottle in my hand.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

It’s carrying the water v carrying the gels, no issue carrying a bladder or wearing a vest for longer runs, hate carrying a bottle in my hand.

Same here I usually chuck a bladder on my back.

 

[Paperboy]

You see I hate having a bladder I'd rather not have a drink. Although I've carried 0.5l squeeze tubes that aren't rigid.

 

[PaulMdj]

You see I hate having a bladder I'd rather not have a drink. Although I've carried 0.5l squeeze tubes that aren't rigid.

The vest I’ve got has 2 pouches for 2 of those.

Thankfully it’s just an annoyance more than a problem and the scare I had a while back that has me carrying a drink.

Obviously no issue at events as they supply the fluids.

 

[Bazz]

What Gels/Drinks do you take on long runs? Personally I’ve only ever bothered with Haribo’s and water for anything over 10K.

The reason I ask is, there’s a young lady on Instagram who does all distances from 10k to Ultra, 55km plus, now I know some of these people are always looking for a “hook” to get more followers, but she’s trying different foods/supplements for her long runs to see what the benefits are, or not, and how they affect her.

First thing she’s tried on a 25k run? Cadbury’s Cream Eggs she had 3 at the intervals she’d normally take a Gel and absolutely raved about them, actually found herself speeding up to get to the distance to have the next cream egg.

Might be worth a try

Anyone else use gels or something else?

Absolutely nothing. No water, or food. Just see how I get on, upto half marathon distance.

 

[PaulMdj]

Absolutely nothing. No water, or food. Just see how I get on, upto half marathon distance.

Works for you mate.

 

[Bazz]

Works for you mate.

Nah, because I feel like absolutely crap after.

I'm going to enter the Brum half in May, so I'll start experimenting with what works for me. I used the salt chews for one hm a few years ago, took me 2 miles to get the packet open, so I guess they worked because I forgot I was running.

 

[BrianM]

5 miles in 42 minutes tonight, 8.25 minutes per mile, amazing the difference a day makes.
Had Steak Pie, mash and tenderstem broccoli for dinner at about 6 as well

 

[Beezerk]

Apologies this isn’t a “how far I’ve run” post
Been smashing the push ups and working on the pull ups with very slow progression. Loads of body weight stuff with my TRS and gymnastic rings. Feel a bit stronger and I’m down to 13st 6lb with doing zero cardio

 

[Neilds]

Apologies this isn’t a “how far I’ve run” post
Been smashing the push ups and working on the pull ups with very slow progression. Loads of body weight stuff with my TRS and gymnastic rings. Feel a bit stronger and I’m down to 13st 6lb with doing zero cardio

So we can track people's weight, should they put it in their signature, along with their handicap? We can also see if weight and golfing ability are linked

 

[Beezerk]

So we can track people's weight, should they put it in their signature, along with their handicap? We can also see if weight and golfing ability are linked

Driving distance as well maybe