Elite/ sub elite half marathoners - gel?

Half Mary nutrition wrote:

What is your fueling strategy during a race.. any gel? On course nutrition? Perhaps a gel right before? 1:14 guy told me he uses nothing...

???

Can you not run for 70 mins or so without eating something?

Not elite at 1:11, but there is no reason to consume gels in a half marathon.

There was a study that suggest that something sugary could improve performance (you just needed it your mouth, you didn't even need to swallow it (yeah, yeah)), but that was a poorly constructed study that I don't think was ever verified.

Nothing but a couple sips of water along the way, mostly for mouth feel and psychological benefit.

Another "nothin but water" checking in. I've seen a 65ish guy taking gu in a half but way more who don't.

Gels are to prevent glycogen depletion. You won't get that in a half Mary.

Not elite by any means. I can do a full half without anything, but if I take even just a portion of gel 5-6 miles in, I feel like I get a small boost. Probably since my gels have caffeine. Not necessary perhaps, but you also want to be strong in the last mile and not completely finished. Whatever helps you psychologically, go with that.

Hdhdjdjd wrote:

Gels are to prevent glycogen depletion. You won't get that in a half Mary.

That depends on how long it takes you to run one.

I typically take 2 gels, but I am a "high burn" athlete that employs a galloway-inspired sprint/spin strategy with finish times in the 1:15-1:17 range.

Local half marathon goes past a Burger King about halfway, so I like to stop in there and treat myself to an XL bacon double cheeseburger and a Fanta. Always finish strong.

Ran a couple of 73 minute times in my early 40s, a handful sub-74 and many sub-75. Nowhere near that ability now in my 50s (maybe sub 85???). I can't imagine the need to eat during a half marathon. Hydrate as needed (me less than most, but for sure I'll drink during a hot race), but refuel no. $0.02...

Sub 65, never took more than a few sips of water.

I remember reading somewhere that a typical trained athlete has enough glycogen for 70 minutes of strenuous activity before suffering from glycogen depletion, so maybe if you're racing for longer than that it could be beneficial.

I've run in the 67-68 minute range a handful of times. I'll take a gel before the start to "top off the tank" and water during the race. Admittedly, both are more psychological to keep me feeling good and to keep my head in it.

I have run one hm in 83 minutes. I took one because i think its right on thr verge off being beneficial. Whether it is or not, im not sure, but i figured it couldn't hurt. The main reason though, i was prepping for my first marathon and wanted to try a gel in s race situation

Have run sub 70, and never anything more than water. The only people around me in half marathons I've seen taking gels have been doing so in preparation for a marathon.

Anything 5k and up you need gels and energy drinks or you will suffer severe energy depletion.

Gu'd Guy wrote:

Anything 5k and up you need gels and energy drinks or you will suffer severe energy depletion.

If you´re going to troll, at least try a litte harder.

Ran a 1:43 freshman year (pretty good for me back then) an I only drank water.

The real question is: should you put the gels in a vest or a fanny-pack?

Troll-o-meter... wrote:

Gu'd Guy wrote:

Anything 5k and up you need gels and energy drinks or you will suffer severe energy depletion.

If you´re going to troll, at least try a litte harder.

You think you need them for the mile? For anything that short I like to just carbo load the day before.