Energy gels in a 5k

please quit your job!

It would have no impact. Energy gels are used mainly to restore depleted glycogen stores, and a 5k race is nowhere near the amount of running required to have an impact on glycogen.

Taking an energy gel a couple of hours before a 5k would probably be better than not eating anything prior to the race. But it would not offer any real advantage over a bagel and a banana. An energy gel directly before the race would be useless at best, and might upset the runner's stomach.

What would be the point of that? The race is over so quickly, he or she would get no benefit from taking a gel before the race. The energy requirements for the distance are supplied mostly from stored glycogen, increasing the amount of blood glucose from a gel is something that should only be done in races where glycogen depletion is a potential problem.

They should probably take it at the 3k mark of the race. I have found that it is best to carry the gel in a fanny pack for ease of availability during the heat of competition. Good luck and please let me know if you have any other questions.

Runner THX1137 wrote:

They should probably take it at the 3k mark of the race. I have found that it is best to carry the gel in a fanny pack for ease of availability during the heat of competition. Good luck and please let me know if you have any other questions.

POD!!

I am not a coach... I am a parent and was curious... Sorry for asking if it was that dumb.

Don't be sorry, you wanted to know, and now you do. Ask as many questions as you want, you will nearly always get replies, that's the wonder of letsrun.

Don't worry, it was a reasonable question. But I'm with everyone else, a PB&J and bannana a few hours before the race would be the way to go. Energy gels were designed for easy digestion for refueling during an endurance event, such as a 100 mile bike ride.

what about the caffeine? Some believe this helps, no?

It could also have placebo effect if runners think it helps them.

I found that taking a gu or gel 20 minutes before an early 5K morning race (I can't eat too early in the morning) helps me. I tried this the last 4 years of my 25 years of racing and I find it is better than having no calories at all.

I would have your son/daughter test it out 20 minutes before a hard workout first before trying it at a race to make sure they don't have a bad reaction.

Many "Camelback style liquid carriers have easy access pockets, also dont forget the crampons and maybe and ice axe in case of unexpected wintery conditions. Kotex makes a fine set of crampons I might add.

Haven't raced seriously in more than a decade. Was at a race over the weekend to watch the wife. The repeat winner in the men's senior group had on a spandex windsuit, arm band with IPod, double water bottle in a fanny pack and two power bars stuck in the belt on each side. The distance? 5k. Planning on attending again next year. Planning on racing......

I don't use gels for a 5k, but for a 10k on the track I usually stock my fuel belt with a couple of them. I usually go with one gel every 2 kilometers. My fuel belt also has a spot to keep my water bottle, its very important to hydrate when you take gels or it can cause some stomach distress.

A gel with 50mg of caffeine could definitely improve a 5K performance. Hal Higdon drinks flat Pepsi before marathons.

only if gels are taken as a sapository on the start line will they have any benefit to the athlete.

you see the logic is that you do everyting in reverse of the maraton so at the 40k mark the gels consumed at the 5k mark and so on would be literally coming out of your ass. so logic states that on the start line the likely party should introduce the gels into their ass... quickist root to their intestines.

BAHAHAHAHA...love the last answer!!

scoutmaster wrote:

only if gels are taken as a sapository on the start line will they have any benefit to the athlete.

you see the logic is that you do everyting in reverse of the maraton so at the 40k mark the gels consumed at the 5k mark and so on would be literally coming out of your ass. so logic states that on the start line the likely party should introduce the gels into their ass... quickist root to their intestines.

Sapository? No speak Engrish?

Taking a gel right before a race DOES help. It gives you a boost and helps you push through when you would rather quit.

You guys don't know anything.