found some e-Gel in Fleet Feet last week, and since they had only 4 or 5 packets left i bought them for something new to try. before Sunday’s long run i took one 10 minutes before the start. 30 minutes into the run i was feeling pretty good (but it generally takes me that amount of time to feel good).
in theory, get + electrolyte seems like a good training aid.
but my concerns about this particular product is that the instructions say to drink 16-32 ounces of water with one serving. that is alot of fluid!!! (plus there is yellow #5 and red # 40, but i digress…)
for those of you who use it, are you drinking that much water with one gel?
What I found when I was researching this stuff was that you are to drink the water over the course of the hour, or so, after you eat the gel. I used to just take the packets of gel and put them in my water bottle. Two birds, one stone. That is, until I found e-fuel. The fuel is intended to be a drink mix. It comes in liquid and mixes nicely. And the fuel packet is the right size for just filling an average-sized water bottle and going. Great stuff. Tastes good. Effective. I love it. Never really thought about the artificial color thing though.
I’ve been hooked on the Cherry Bomb flavor for a few months. I use them like any other gel, about 4 oz with the gel and 16-24 oz per hr depending on the weather. The info on the packet is misleading, they recommend ~4oz with the gel and 10+ additional oz per hr. http://cranksports.com/...s/eGel/hydration.asp. I could live without the artificial coloring.
BTW I order from Cranksports direct, they ship the same day and have great customer service.
For the bike, I squeezed them into a flask and took the equivalent on 1 e-gel per hour in complement to 1 bottle of Infinit drink Ironman formula spiked with 2 endurolytes. For the run, just e-gels in their pocket, 1 every 4-5 miles.
Kittycat. I used the cranksports gel and fuel last year a lot. I trained with them mostly in the summer, but did use them for my spring marathon and then for my iron distance race in september. here’s a couple posts that I wrote back then that discuss my “experimentation” with them:
Figuring out a racing nutritional plan #1
Racing Nutritional Plan #2
I also order from them directly too, it does end up being cheaper than purchasing at the local store. Especially if you check into their buddy referral program and have a couple training partners that use them.
As it is now, I haven’t been doing big rides or runs that I need them, so I have a case in my kitchen. I hope they don’t have an experation date?
That stuff is so incredibly sticky. Can it be used as an aircraft adhesive? ie., to hold jet wings on, or similar?
One year at IMLP I was using the stuff and it got all over my fingers, while descending the big drop to Keane I was literally stuck to my aero bars. When I went to come off the pads to brake, I darn near crashed becuase my hands had to be peeled of the extensions. Very scary. Nothing agains the nutritional benefits of the product, just a word of caution if it gets all over your hands from opening up the packets.
I have dreams abou e-gel at night. I’m on my bike hungry and heavily sweating and suddenly I reach back for an e-gel. The sky then opens, an angel appears, and a choir begins to accompany me as I ride.
Hi! Kitty
I take some extra on long/hot rides just in case, I run out of fluid and premixed baggies of electrolyte drink. I also take some on long runs, where I know I will have access to water. It’s much easier than taking fluid. I take it 50% at a time and drink fluid, when I pass some water. On a 2 hr run, I’ll usually take 2 (3 if it’s really hot.) MY duaghter is running her first Mary this weekend. She’s just taking eGels and using the water on the course, instead of running with those water belts.
I have a case of Cherry Bomb flavor in the garage. After years of trying all sorts of things, and invariably suffering that wonderful bloated feeling doing long-distance stuff, this seemed to work best for me. I’ve simplified things down to e-gel and water and an occasional salt tablet, which got me through some LLLOONNNGG workouts late this past summer.
Kittycat-
I love e-Gels so much, I joined their team. The gels taste better than any gel I’ve ever tasted. I swear by them! Now, during a ride, I’ll take my e-Gels and drink from my water bottle. I don’t pay attention to how much water I take in, but if you are concerned about that, try the e-Fuel. I don’t think you could go wrong with either one. Good luck to you!
