What does 5 before every 45 mean?
When exercising for more than an hour, it's important to refuel along the way. Eat one Energy Gel five-minutes before every 45 minutes along the way. Hydrate with 32 oz of water to help your body process your foods and keep your muscles fueled. 2.
It comes in a single-serve packet and all you have to do is eat one GU energy gel 15-30 minutes before your training or competition, and another every 30-45 minutes for the duration of the activity. It will help sustain your body's energy demands for the duration of any activity.
When Should you use Energy Gels? The perfect time to take an energy gels depends on you and your body. Every runner absorbs and processes carbohydrates at a different rate; some can feel the effect within 3 minutes while for others it might take up to 15 minutes.
Marathon FAQs
For runs over 60 minutes, you need to bring fuel along with you. We recommend eating one Energy Gel or four Energy Chews every 45 minutes along the way.
In general, runners need to add in 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrate each hour that they are running longer than 75 minutes. But you'll need to start fueling earlier than 75 minutes into a run; by that time, your tank will be empty, and once you hit empty it is very hard to recover.
Do not exceed 2 per hour. If your stomach tends to shut down in the later stages of a long race, try to take on gels before that happens, so you have some stores to pull on. Once your stomach starts to recoil from gels, try taking a quarter of the gel every 15 minutes, rather than pushing it down all at once.
Yes, it is okay to poop before a run. No, it is actually IDEAL. That is what every runner wants. Pooping before a run allows you to run free of heaviness and potential stomach cramps, and it avoids the situation of having to find a place to squat mid-run.
Don't try any new foods before the race. Drink gatorade (or any sports drink that doesn't include protein) and/or water frequently to assure you are hydrated (clear urine is a good sign). You should stay well-hydrated throughout the morning before the race.
Drinking before, during, and after training is just as important as drinking during the rest of the day. Aim for 16 ounces (2 cups) of water at about two hours before you run. Pair this with a snack or meal. About 15 minutes before a run, drink six to eight ounces of water.
Usually a few swallows is sufficient. However, it is important to understand that each pack of e-Gel will take approximately 14 ounces of water along with it when it enters your cellular system.
What are the negatives of energy gels?
Cons of energy gels
Limited variety of textures. Depending on the amount of water, it can be watery or denser. Such a high concentration of carbohydrates can upset some stomachs, especially when they are not consumed regularly, are consumed without water or at the wrong time.
ALWAYS take with water
Always take energy gels with water, never alone and NEVER with Gatorade. Without water, energy gels will take longer to digest and enter the blood stream. If you take an energy gel with a sports drink, you run the risk of ingesting too much simple sugar at once.

Average time
If you finish a marathon in under 5 hours, you've done well. Most men finish a marathon in under 4.5 hours. Most women finish in just under 5 hours. If your time is around this mark, be satisfied with your results.
You can consume (read swallow) a lot of gel, but your body can only absorb a maximum of 60g per hour (up to 75g if the gel contains caffeine). Taking too much gel too quickly can and will cause stomach problems.
Highly trained runners who are confident of completing the race in less than 75 minutes or so have no particular need to consume carbohydrate drinks or gels during the race to top up glycogen stores, although fluid might be desirable in hot conditions.
The Long Run (Heart Rate Zone: 70% of Max)
Your long runs should be approximately 25% of your total weekly mileage. For instance, I run 45-50 miles per week. My long runs are generally 11-13 miles. During these runs, I should feel relaxed and able to hold a light conversation.
In general, it's recommended to eat before running. This gives your body the fuel it needs to exercise safely and efficiently. If you prefer to run on an empty stomach, stick to light to moderate running. Take a break if you start to feel lightheaded.
If you're doing a short run, say one that lasts 45 minutes or less, you may be able to forgo drinking water while you're out there. But it's never a bad idea to carry water, especially if it's really hot outside and you'll be sweating a lot. Many runners carry and drink water regardless of how long they'll be running.
I've broken our 100 mile Sportive down into three parts using the two Feeding Stations along the route as markers to aim for. For the full course you will need: 4 x OTE Energy Sachets, 1x Duo Bar, 3 x OTE Energy Gels and 1 x OTE Caffeine Gel.
If you run long distances regularly, chances are you'll at some point have “bonked”, or hit the wall. Bonking describes the point at which the body's glycogen stores are depleted and the body starts to fatigue and burn fat, making each step towards the finish line a vicious battle of mind over body.
How many gels do I need for a sub 3 hour marathon?
Go with a bar, a banana or a gel, preferably caffeinated, and some water. Take your first gel about 30 minutes into the race (go for the isotonic kind and, if you like, with caffeine every other time). Always take it with a cup of water. Take an average of 2 gels an hour for the remainder of the race.
- Eat too close to your run.
- Incorrect warm-up before your run.
- Wear new gear before a long run.
- Drinking too close to your run.
- Forget to go to the toilet.
Before a run, coffee (or any form of caffeine) can increase your energy and reduce discomfort. Many long-distance runners and endurance athletes (including marathoners, cyclists, and triathletes) use caffeine supplements on race days to boost their performance.
- High-fiber foods. Beans, broccoli, and berries: remember those three B's as you don't want to eat them just before a run or a workout. ...
- Dairy. ...
- Sugary drinks. ...
- Fried foods. ...
- Spicy food. ...
- Protein bars.
Protein takes longer for your body to digest—so you'll have to eat a couple of hours before the race begins—but eggs are a popular pre-race breakfast choice, especially for those who like something “real” for breakfast. Eating a breakfast like this, long enough in advance, leaves you well-fueled for a long race.
Typical pre-race meal foods include white bread and honey, eggs, oatmeal or low-fiber cereals, bananas, yogurt, and juice. Remember to drink if you feel thirsty or even a little bit more than usual. If the day is hot, add a little salt to your meal. Try different foods before your training runs.
As you've probably noticed, some people get the urge to pee at the start. Part of this urge to go before or during the race is psychological: your body is tricked into thinking your bladder is ready to empty. (This may be due to changes in the bladder receptors or in the central control of the bladder.)
If you are not a morning person, then a shower might help you wake up. If you do shower, be sure to dry your hair before your race if it is cold out. The last thing you will want is to be waiting on a cold starting line with a wet head.
If, however, one is feeling leg fatigue or heaviness the day before a competition, having fresh legs is a priority over last-minute adaptations to training, and thus an ice bath the night before fits well. Generally speaking, use enough ice so that you are not comfortable.
It states that in one's training workout/run, the runner must ingest ONE GU 15 minutes before starting the run and then ingesting ONE GU every 30-45 minutes during the run. In order to save my stash of GU gels, I eat solid foods before I start my run and during the first half of my workout.
How long does Gu last for?
The products past their Best By Date are still completely safe for consumption and their performance will not be influenced in the following 12-24 months past this date. There might be a slight change in taste or flavour or in consistency.
GU Energy Gels and Hydration Drink Mix are designed to be used on an empty stomach (at least 3 hours after the last meal). This way you can keep fueling even when you're pushing yourself to the max without worrying about slowing down to digest food.
Hydrate with 8–12 ounces water 60–90 minutes before the race start. Final fuel for a 5K is not generally necessary. However, if you race longer distances and want a final boost, take ½–1 gel or a few crackers 10 minutes before the gun goes off.
However, some studies have found that drinking a sugary drink like soda can be helpful for intense endurance athletes like a cyclist or runner during hours-long marathons because it gives them a store of energy that they'll need during the event.
Plan Accordingly. Before heading out on the road or to the gym, prepare your body for exercise. Use the restroom to void your bladder, and make sure you empty it completely! Leftover urine in your bladder can cause overflow incontinence and SUI.
Experienced Runners
Take one Energy Aqua Gel Caffeine sachet every 20 minutes. If you find that 3 gels an hour is too much, try and consume as many gels as you comfortably can. Practising using gel during longer training runs makes it easier to use on race day. Use a Gel Belt to carry your gels.
Translated, in workouts where you are using multiple packs of e-Gel, we strongly recommend that you drink 14 ounces of water before you rip open your second pack (and so on).
To get 30-60 grams of carbohydrate an hour from energy gels requires a gel packet every 30 minutes. This would be 8 gels in a four hour marathon, which is much higher than most people consume.
The F.D.A. defines an empty stomach as “one hour before eating, or two hours after eating.” The F.D.A.'s two-hour rule is just a rule of thumb; the stomach will probably not be completely empty.
In general, it's recommended to eat before running. This gives your body the fuel it needs to exercise safely and efficiently. If you prefer to run on an empty stomach, stick to light to moderate running. Take a break if you start to feel lightheaded.
How many gels for half marathon?
When training for a half marathon, there will be numerous training runs that last under 90 minutes where you can usually rely on taking on an electrolyte drink and 1-2 energy gels.
References
- https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a20794621/how-to-eat-during-long-runs/
- https://fellrnr.com/wiki/When_to_eat_Energy_Gels_in_the_Marathon
- https://brighamhealthhub.org/hydration-for-runners/
- https://www.scienceinsport.com/sports-nutrition/half-marathon-guide/
- https://www.polar.com/blog/what-to-eat-on-race-day/
- https://thefeed.com/insider/gu-energy-gel-review-everything-you-need-to-know-before-you-buy
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/well/live/drug-medication-empty-stomach-prescription.html
- https://www.outsideonline.com/health/running/racing/race-fuel/do-you-need-to-fuel-during-the-half-marathon/
- https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a20820692/i-need-to-pee-except-i-dont/
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- https://www.polar.com/blog/foods-runners-should-avoid/
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- https://guenergy.com/pages/marathon-training
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- https://guenergy.co.nz/pages/gu-brew-electrolyte-drink-mix-faq
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- https://copenhagenmarathon.dk/en/energiplan-guide-til-energiindtag-foer-og-maraton/
- https://runcoach.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=290:tips-for-racing-half-marathons-and-10-milers&Itemid=444
- https://runkeeper.com/cms/nutrition/the-runkeeper-guide-to-your-pre-race-breakfast/
- https://news.runtowin.com/2006/10/24/marathon-preparation-9-things-to-do-before-your-race.html
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- https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2014/sep/25/bonk-run-long-distance-runner-athlete-beat
- https://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/2013/06/11/ice-baths/
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