General Fitness & Nutrition: energy bars

Hey hey!  I've been putting in about 20 miles a week for the past four or five weeks and I was talking to someone the other day who said that after their longer runs (5-7 miles) they make sure to eat an energy bar or gel. I was wondering what you all thought about this. When should I eat something? What should I eat?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Dave

Gels are great for use during runs if you find you start to struggle for energy. For example much over 7 miles I start to have real problems keeping going. I take a half gel packet at about 3 or so miles in and the fuel is there ready and waiting when I need it. If you are going to use gels during a race use them in training first as some of them can cause the worst stomach upsets! Took me about 3 goes to find a brand and rate of consumption that didn't send me straight to the med tent!

For after run consumption, energy bars etc are great BUT they are expensive and in my experience not enough better than a peanut butter on wholemeal sandwich and a banana. That said if you are going to have to carry them for the run or have them sitting in a hot car while you run the bar is more likely to get eaten. I try to eat within 20 - 30 minutes of finishing a run. So warm down and stretch, load in some fluids and then by that time I feel like eating.

As always your milage may vary!

Yonks,

 You need to experiment a bit and figure out what works for you.  Energy bars and gels are definitely worth considering for runs longer than 7 miles.  If you are only running less than 7 miles, they may not be worth it......you will probably get what you need from gatorade.  For those that are looking to lose some weight for health reasons (or to trim down for a specific race)......you need to make sure you don't go crazy eating energy bars and gels throughout the day. 

 For me, I us use bars (I like Cliff bars) a few hours before a long run (13 miles or more).  During training, I only use gels....and only for runs 8 miles or longer (eat one every 6 miles).  If you use gels during training.....MAKE SURE YOU DRINK IT DOWN WITH A LIQUID......otherwise your body won't absorb it as readily is you need it....and you won't max out the benefits.

I regulary run 10+ miles at the weekend, but I don't take any drink unless I was doing, say, 15 or more miles, and I would not take food. (I wouldn't buy gels, bars or "sports" drinks either)

I would recommend eating lots of veg, which give great slow-release energy, and all the vitamins/minerals you need. Perhaps if you do want a drink to take, try iced tea with a spoon of honey.

(I say, stick to what humans have been eating/drinking for 10,000 years, not what some marketing company has come up with in the last 5 ;o)

PS: forgot to say that I totally agree with jacanz. I take my gel (Gu) at around 7 or 8 miles.....if I'm going 9 or 10 it gets me home and makes me happy knowing I'm going to get there!

My training partner takes 1/2 before the start of a half-marathon race, half 3miles into it and then another whole sachet at 6 or 7 miles. Whatever this gives him, he gets home in 1:36 or so....GREAT TIP from westconn to take it with liquid. I never knew that and would definitely answer why Ive had a couple of occasions where I've not got the normal 'push' from my Gu when I've wanted it.

Anyone doing the Indy Half on 3rd May?

gorgus- I would also be interested to see what the "access" energy bars do for people.  I checked out the "Hornet Juice" packet a while back, and it looked like they just contained a mix of amino acids (your body usually breaks down protein into these and a few other amino acids).  Does having your protein pre-digested actually help burn fat and give you more energy?  I seriously doubt it.