Hi there.I was wondering if anybody out there and experience of energy gels?ie what works?,what tastes good?,which ones can you use without additional water?Also I a new pair of shoes for Ironman training/racing.Im 11 stone,3:34 marathon and am using Saucony Grid Jazz at the moment.Thinking of Mizuno Wave Rider or Asics Nimbus or Saucony Grid Spy/Azura.Any thoughts?
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I had a powerbar vanilla gel the other day as well which was absolutely delicious! Got a feeling that my extreme hunger and fatigue at the time helped somewhat. They do need washing down with water.
Can't help with the shoes - maybe best left to another thread? Also you haven't said whether you pronate or not & are you a heel striker or a forefoot striker at the moment?
I have used SIS gels and they are the only ones that I know of that can be taken without water, but it's not the nicest experience all the same! Try and get hold of some Maxim ones. My local Tesco's stock them so yours might too. They contain three helpings(?) of carbs in one small sachet with an easy screw cap as well. You'll need to take water with these though.
As for shoes, the best thing is to go and try them for yourself and see which ones feel comfortable for YOU. For what it's worth, I have both the Wave Riders and Nimbus (whatever the plural of Nimbus is!) The WRs are the best shoe I've ever had by a long way. The Nimbus are really rigid (as many Asics shoes seem to be) and I don't like them at all, but best go and see for yourself.
DW
High 5 didn't help me very much.
SIS gels look like a good idea as you don't need additional water - ideal for runners but you try opening one on a bike!
S.A.
I'd agree with Mark H. SIS gels are tasteless but easy because you don't need to take them with water. I'd imagine they're pretty good if you suffer with a delicate runner's stomach!
I find them easy to carry on anything up to the marathon.
Onto shoes, have you considered New Balance 764s? Very comfortable and easy to 'run-in'. I'm similar to yourself; 12st and 3.37 marathon.
Cheers4now
Andy.P.
Sheila,
I'd be interested in seeing that article if you don't mind as myself and a friend were thinking of doing an Ironman. I'm more concerned at the training than anything else though. All the training schedules I've seen specify about 3hrs training 6 days a week for 4mnths leading up to the race. Not sure I can commit to that.
Training programmes can be found all over the place on the Web: try www.triathletes-UK.org for a “mere mortals” plan, have a look at www.xtri.com for lots of IM info. Unfortunately none of them tell you how to fit them all in. I have found that the most important thing to do is to make a realistic training plan right at the start of your programme – if it doesn’t fit in with your work and home life then it is probably going to fail. Make the best use of whatever time you have available, including “dead time”. For example, cycle to work if you can, run home, try a run from your workplace before driving home – your drive home will be later but much quicker.
At the risk of being struck off this runner’s forum I strongly suggest that you structure your IM programme around swimming and cycling, fitting the running into the remaining time. You need quality pool time for long swim sessions, and you aren’t going do a 5 hour bike ride after work during winter, weekends are the time for that, but you can run anytime and anywhere.
It can be done! My club (Black Country Triathletes) organises The Longest Day Triathlon, and we see plenty of first timers completing the distance each year. They all manage it despite having full time jobs, and if they can do it so can you!
Martin.
Not sure were you are from?But they have a sports shop in glasgow called greaves sport!
You can actually call and book an appointment,with them either morning/afternoon:And when you go along they have a computer screen
which takes an x-ray of your foot.Although in the shop you do feel a bit silly as they put a pad on the floor and you run across this:Therefore getting funny looks from other customers.
I found this ideal to choose the correct footwear.I have the saucony grid and have never had any problems at all.I have now been running for approximately six months,never had any trouble.
This shop in glasgow is on gordon street,and they also have another branch as well.
I hope this helps you out.So far have done 5K & 10K:Looking to do the Oban half marathon on 6th October.Have managed to get the mileage up to ten.
Keep the fingers crossed.
Anyway good luck with the shoes!!Can not give you any hints on gels and stuff:As I have still to try them myself.
bye for now!!
Signed Flipper!!
Ta
Greg
S.A.