Fire it up

Over the past 3 months I have tried A LOT of different energy gels, gummies, drinks, and snacks to find the perfect carb supplements for my long runs. As I've mentioned in the past, an important aspect of marathon training is figuring out the right balance of fluid and carbs to propel you to the finish line on race day. Obviously it's important to stock up before the race, hence the ubiquitous carbo-loading, but it's also necessary to provide your muscles with some energy while running.

However, most synthetic energy supplements taste DISGUSTING. Do not believe the labels - almost all gels are gooey, chalky, faux-cherry tasting disaster packets that require a liter of water to choke down. Mmm sounds appealing, right? Well luckily for you (less so for me), I'm giving you the lowdown on the good, the bad, and the downright nauseating.

The Bearable 

Clif Shot: 25g carbs per 1.1oz pack, 90% organic, 5 flavors, $24.29 for 24 box
Pros: Has a small amount of caffeine, mocha flavor is palatable, not as thick as some other gels
Cons: It's still a gel....

Clif Bloks: 24g carbs per serving, 100 calories, 9 flavors, $1.95 per pack
Pros: Gummies! Not a gel!, lots of flavors, easy to carry
Cons: Some flavors are a bit off - my fave is the Cranberry/Razz

The Meh

Gu Chomps: 23g carbs per serving (2 servings per pack), 90 calories, 4 flavors, $2.50 per pack
Pros: Basically the same as Clif Bloks
Cons: Less flavors, slightly more expensive than Bloks

Jelly Bean Sports Beans: $1.20 per pack
Pros: Cheapest, taste like jelly beans
Cons: Kind of a pain to carry/eat while running, high risk of choking...

The Pain Train
 
PowerBar Energy Gel: 28g carbs, 110-120 calories, 7 flavors, $1.25 per gel
Pros: They're free at a lot of NYRR races?
Cons: Tastes disgusting, very thick and chalky, always make me nauseous