A couple of years ago, when I began training for the El Paso Marathon, I began to see the need for nutrient gels while running. I should have used them in earlier half marathons, but honestly didn’t know any better. Even during some of the races, the gels were offered but I did not pick one up because I did not want to mess up what I was doing. However, when I started training for a marathon and running up to 18 miles every week for a month, I began to see the need for something extra while I ran. After talking to some friends and reading some articles, I began trying out different gels. I settled on PowerGel, somewhat out of convenience, but also because it gave me the energy that I needed.
PowerGel is probably the easiest gel to find, as it is sold at many grocery stores, but I typically get mine at the PX. I usually stick with the strawberry/banana flavor, but some of the other flavors are good to—I just do not change much. Typically, one package costs about one dollar which is cheap enough to buy several as I train and prepare for a race.
My routine for using PowerGel has become a simple action—as long as I remember to have enough on the day before the race. I try to take one gel as close to the start time of the race as I can—this allows me to run on fresh legs for a couple of miles before the nutrients and caffeine kick in. Then, I take a gel before the water stop at the fifth or sixth mile. Sometimes, I will take another at mile 10—but sometimes I do not feel like putting it in my stomach at that time.
The gel is a good tool to keep me from feeling hungry during the race, but also give my body nutrients needed to finish the race. I always feel a pick me up soon after I take it. So, as I get ready for my next half marathon—my pick of the week has to be a Strawberry/Banana PowerGel.