Feb0720114:51 p.m.
Monday mumblings...
A bouncy, breezy 34 mile week...Good pb at Saturday's parkrun of 27.13 - I am determined to run under 27 minutes...eventually! And Sunday's long run was 15 miles and actually rather comfortable (in a long run kind of way...)
I put this down to a) having entertaining company for the middle 8 mile trudge which worked as a fabulous distraction to my inane thoughts and b) downing a magic caffeine/energy gel at mile 11 with a trough of water.
I have never used gels before, but decided it was time. I don't like the look of most sports nutrition, find the marketing irritating and some of the ingredients used in some sports drinks/gels/bars worry me. However, the ingredients in this SiS gel were written so small that I couldn't read them, which is probably just as well. And Sis do organic sports fuel in a drink mix powder these days so I figured that maybe they wouldn't poison me.
Anyway, it really did do the trick, I was amazed. I didn't turn green, grow horns, throw up or crap myself so that was good....Better late than never to discover these things I suppose!! I shall certainly use them on long slow runs from now on if I need to and during the Brighton marathon, even if it was only the large shot of caffeine that spurred my little leggies on...
Happy running!
Hx
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Comments (20)
Firefly123 'Great running, Harri. I'm afraid I gave in to aching legs this morning and canned my long run at 11.5. I'll have to try harder!' added 7th Feb 2011
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Skiff_Shuver 'You didn't turn green or grow horns! So you are getting better then. Doing the Brighton Marathon? Perhaps not totally better!' added 7th Feb 2011
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Jenny1961 'You have certainly planned out your year of events Harri! Admirable. Re gels- I did use SIS gels on the bike- and they did work. Mind you I also ate cake, biscuits, mars bars- anything that woould give me an energy boost! I am far more likely to 'bonk' on the bike than when running. Its great to see your renewed focus on running and marathon training. It won't be long now until next year's London Ultra! ;0' added 7th Feb 2011
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judith 'Better late than never with the gels. thinkinbg of giving up the gels and trying jelly babies far cheaper.' added 7th Feb 2011
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judith 'Better late than never with the gels. thinkinbg of giving up the gels and trying jelly babies far cheaper.' added 7th Feb 2011
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judith 'My comment just disappeared!! Oh well try again. Better late than never on the gels. Thinking of trying jelly babies for a change. Cheaper and other people say they work.' added 7th Feb 2011
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judith 'and now three times stupid web site.' added 7th Feb 2011
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Nick 'Well done on the PB, Hat! Never tried energy gels myself but, based on your recommendation, maybe I should!' added 7th Feb 2011
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Johnf 'Hmm maybe I should try a gel sometime, well again, the last time it made me want to throw, but perhaps a different flavour, yes coffee sounds good, though a large latte and piece of carrot cake in Costa might fit the bill as well, if they let you in when you are sweating. Nice to hear you are running Reading. Good running week for you.' added 8th Feb 2011
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onthefloor04 'Its surprising the effect a little caffiene can have - so long as you're not normally a coffee drinker.' added 8th Feb 2011
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Muffs 'Great post. Unfortunately energy gels usually make me do all of those things. I think it's largely because I over consumed the things during training for my first marathon. The thought of porrige does the same thing to me now.' added 8th Feb 2011
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Russell_Nimbus 'I love SIS gels. Probably the best on the market. The Smart One caffeinated gels definitely give you a kick. Important to get used to them in training before the marathon. Will have to seek you out at Brighton!' added 8th Feb 2011
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eclipse 'Well done mate, still not sure about Gels, every time I use them I find I need the loo urgently whilst on a run, no idea why.' added 8th Feb 2011
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Account_closed 'Gels do taste like pure sugar, but I've found them useful. I've had to learn to use them every five miles whether I feel tired or not, as by the time you are tired it's supposed to be too late.' added 8th Feb 2011
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tinabee 'Ha ha! You tracked me down on FB and I have tracked you down on here - lol! I am beginning to think marathons are like child birth as soon as it is over you forget the pain (well sometimes!). Good luck with your training. I like your philosophy. Never tried gels - the whole thought of them turns my stomach. I used the jelly sweet version of them - they are not so bad. Looking forward to following how you get along.' added 9th Feb 2011
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Way_Too_Slow 'Well done on the new Parkrun PB. Gels are very much an acquired taste (no pun intended!). I use the SIS ones too. Lucozade gels nearly make me gag!!' added 9th Feb 2011
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simonedumergue 'lol - always a measure of a good gel when you don't experience the side effects that you listed above!! Just wonderful to hear your positivity around your running at the moment. Encouraging to think you can get the running love back again. Thanks too for your wise words recently about trying to accept my injured state at the moment and remember that the running will always be there. I do feel like a little piece of me is missing but I have to be patient.' added 10th Feb 2011
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gunes 'You are sounding like you are bouncing full of postivity and it made me laugh that you didn't grow horns after trying gels:) I have always been a great fan of gels but haven't tried the Sis must give them a go! Great PB at the park run! looking forward to reading your next post:)' added 11th Feb 2011
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kraftykat 'Glad you've mapped your training plan out Harri, and kicking Mr Higdon into touch made me laugh! I've used his plans a few times now and always found them really good, but not ventured up to the Intermediate level..... And as for gels I swear by them. Think they really help. I like to use the Maxim gels. There are 3 shots in each sachet. Has a little screw cap on so you can close it up after each one. Means for every 3 shots you only need to carry 1 sachet. The energy bars with chocolate coating are good too!' added 11th Feb 2011
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DPH 'Been using SIS products now for a good while after another runner at my club recommended them (others were giving me some side effects!). I've been fine with them & wouldn't use anyhing else. I do find the energy bars sickly though.' added 13th Feb 2011
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