If you can’t use race provided sport drinks and need to carry all your calories.
If you use a gel flask, do you just carry it in your hand? Is there a
race belt that can hold a flask (gel, that is!)?
Thx!
If I’m wearing compression-type shorts, I tuck it in the leg. Otherwise, I just carry it.
I put them in my pockets. I where Brooks Sherpa shorts which have two small rear facing pockets which can hold two gels each.
In marathons I sometimes wear a 4-bottle Fuel Belt for hydration. It also has a pocket where I keep my Gels. I’ve also seen runners paper clip Gels to the top of their running shorts. Sounds weird but is amazingly simple and effective.
Bill
I wear Desoto Tuesday Run Shorts.
http://www.fuelbelt.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1086/.f?sc=13&category=-113
Race belt with elastic loops for gels.
Brooks Infinity or Sherpa shorts old up to 4 gels in the two side pockets.
If I ever do another marathon (still have the last 4 miles of death jogging to erase first), it will be with one of these: http://www.probikekit.com/us/hydration-nutrition/hydration-packs/high5-energy-gel-race-number-belt.html. Rather look like a well fueled dork than a bonked pro.
IMO, looking after your own calories is the way to go. I tried to do the “tuck gels into gloves and the key pocket in race shorts” method and it was a disaster. It was cold enough that my hands went numb and I dropped each gel at least once. For the last gel was planning on grabbing one from the aid station, but botched the exchange and thought I could “power through”. the last 5 mi. Um, Nope. I’d advise packing at least 2 more gels than you think you’ll need. Also make sure to practice the mechanics of feeding yourself, like when you’ll take water (before or after the gel), how to drink from a paper cup while running.
I use this: http://www.spibelt.com/spibelt.php.
Thanks for posting that link, I now feel (slightly) less dorky. It reminds me of the fanny pack Mom wore in the 90’s.
Hah – I actually wear it at my waist under my shirt, so no one really sees it. However, my running pace and style contribute more to my dorkdom than any race belt ever could:)
Brooks Infinity or Sherpa shorts old up to 4 gels in the two side pockets.
Brooks ID Elite shorts hold (for me) 3 gels in each side pocket. The Infiniti Short IIs look like they have the same pockets as these shorts. I have only lost gels from these shorts when the velcro on the pockets wore out.
The spibelt will hold 4 gels, a phone, and an inhaler with minimal bounce in you cinch it tight enough, and it doubles as a belt for your race number if add some safety pins and turn it around with the pouch to the back.
http://www.fuelbelt.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1086/.f?sc=13&category=-113
Race belt with elastic loops for gels.
This. Works great for me.
I get a ziplock bag, load in three or four gels, salt tablets, motivators, and then throw the entire thing under my hat. Sounds strange, but the ziplock doesn’t weigh much and I don’t even feel it under there. Just reach up a few times during the race as I approach a water stop, quickly pull out what I need, and stuff back in there. Never had any issues. Has worked well for over 30 marathons
I use this: http://www.spibelt.com/spibelt.php.]
that’s what I use as well. I clip one of my amphipod bottles right on the spibelt- so that’s my ‘light’ setup for race day.
for training runs- it’s the full amphibod belt with 2 to 4 bottles, shot blocks, iphone, ID, and toilett paper.
I use an ultimate direction race belt that has 2 zippered pouches.
This. Race belt with safety pins through the very top of gels. Rip the gel off from the bottom, top stays on the belt.
If you use a gel flask, do you just carry it in your hand? Is there a
race belt that can hold a flask (gel, that is!)?
Thx!
There are race belts that hold flasks, but perhaps the easiest way to carry a flask is something like this:
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-FBWB.html
Skinfit tri-short … there is a small bag for keys and gels, which I use. Prefer them to regular runing shorts anyway, less chalfing …
Safety pins on the waistband.