I need to refuel on long runs and I'm looking for something less expensive than GU that I can carry along. Even in bulk purchases, GU is nearly $3 for two packs. Any suggestions? Fruit and grain bars? Fig newtons? Honey?
I need to refuel on long runs and I'm looking for something less expensive than GU that I can carry along. Even in bulk purchases, GU is nearly $3 for two packs. Any suggestions? Fruit and grain bars? Fig newtons? Honey?
Steal some honey packets from KFC.
Gummy bears.
I'm pretty frugal, but if $3 a week is breaking your budget, maybe you should get a job instead of running so much.
I like to supplement my gels with jelly beans; for taste and consistency reasons, not cost.
If you're running real long take a sandwich, bagel, or something like that. That's what the buffet on wheels, I mean Ironman Triathletes, do.
I also bet if you look can find expired gels somewhere cheap. I got some at my local running store for $0.25 each that were 3 days out of date. They tasted fine....well as fine as a gel tastes any other day.
How about nothing? You really do not need to refuel on runs that are under 18 mi. And it is good to do some 20+ milers with no GU to work on you ability to run with your glycogen stores depleted. Just use GU on two or three 20+ milers as a dress rehearsal for the marathon. Otherwise, there is no good reason to be using GUs on long runs.
I budget $4,000/year for running and cycling related expenses. Four gels/week is roughly $300 to $400/year. That would be a significant percent of the budget for something I don't even like.
Regardless, forget the cost... I'm looking for alternatives.
Jelly beans and gummy bears are worth a try. Honey packets don't have enough calories and have the same messy factor as a gel. I'm still open to other ideas.
I'm not a natural distance runner. I bonk about 60 minutes into a run or bike ride.
fisky wrote:
I'm not a natural distance runner. I bonk about 60 minutes into a run or bike ride.
No one's glycogen stores are that bad, you are doing something wrong.
I agree with Frugal, it's a ridiculous thing to try and save money on. But if you must, eat something like dates, or make your own homemade gel.
It probably has something to do with being hypoglycemic. Granted, it gets better as my mileage improves, but that's not the real issue. I don't plan to run more than a half marathon anyway.
I just want an alternative to gels.
Anyone else have suggestions?
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