3 ms·
> She doesn't have energy sweets or gel or the expensive shoes so many use for running in the mountains. I've really been wondering if gels actually help. Coul
by starpilot 7y ago
> She doesn't have energy sweets or gel or the expensive shoes so many use for running in the mountains.
I've really been wondering if gels actually help. Could honey work just as well? It's cheaper and tastes much better.
- ineedtosleep 7y agoMost contain stimulants and maybe some amino acids, so they're not really identical. It's all about how your body deals with those chemicals, especially when under exercise stress.
- hangonhn 7y agoA lot of it is mental. There's been studies that shown that if you simply giving someone under exertion something sweet tasting (but with no calories), it will still boost their performance. That study was done on pro level cyclists. I think you do have to replenish eventually. Around mile 20 for me but I think it depends a lot on your pace, how you've trained, and overall distance. Gels and chews are very compact so it's easy to carry on long runs.
- alwayseasy 7y agoIt's really about getting sugar the most efficiently and rapidly into your body without upsetting the stomach. Anecdotally it feels like I really do get energy boosts. Honey could work just as well I recon the difference is around digesting it.
- flr03 7y agoEnergy gels with honey exist. It goes into your blood very quickly and tend to create a peak of sugar after which you don't feel very well. So better to have this type of quick sugar towards the end of the race.
- bmj 7y agoThere are plenty of recipes out there. Molasses is a popular addition because of its potassium content.
- Unbeliever69 7y agoWe use a mixture of strawberries, dates, and lime juice. Sometimes we mix in bananas. Soooooo good!