I'm no expert here since I use what's available. I started using hammer gels and accel gels, so I think they are tasty. I don't think I noticed the difference when I used gu. I prefer gels, especially during the run phase because bars sit more heavily on me. Also, energy drinks work well to since your body can only absorb a certain amount of calories per hour.

I would say first find out what form of calories works best for you (bars, gels, liquid, or some combo) then just make sure you train with what you plan on using in the race. I like to combo accelerade and hammer/accel gels the best, but I've heard of many other options.

This is an oldie but a goody--maybe it's time to update with all the new people out there and changing tastes.
http://www.trifuel.com/node/4989

Started out on the Gu as a lot of people do, but have switched over to powerbar gels--tangerine and chocolate favorite flavors. I like the the 3 caffiene options, 0, 1X, 2X and the 4Xs sodium, alledgedly, of other leading brands. I also use the Clif Shot Bloks to break up the monotony on long days--Margaritta is like a party in your mouth at 20 miles. Mini Snickers bars give a good jolt too--alot of marathons break them out the last 10K.

Good luck at IMG Atl.

PowerGel for me: Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry-Banana. Tho now I am using multi-hour bottles of Infinit for calories etc and only tossing in an occasional gel for a change of taste..

+1 on the differing caffeine levels in Gu. I also like to keep a Clif Bar in my jersey pocket on longer rides, for when I actually get hungry vs. just needing more energy.

I live for Strawberry Banana Powergels. I can take them with Gatorade without upsetting my stomach, something Hammer gels cannot be done with. I Also like a couple flavors of Clif Bloks just to mix it up. Strawberry, Margarita, and lemon lime are decent.

I used one of those pseudo disposable Glad containers. Found them with the normal plastic bags etc. I think they were like a buck or two for a stack of them. I used it one year at IMWI - had it in my bike special needs bag. Grabbed my PB&J and left the container in the special needs bag and was off. Worked pretty well for me.

Wow! Thanks for all the great feedback. As always, like with our gear, there is no simple answer.

I'm pretty tolerant of all I've tried so far though I find if I drink too much Gatorade during a long run I get a sour stomach .. I think it's all the sugar. Hammer 'supposedly' uses a less refined sugar ... and tastes that way to me ... so might fit me better.

Thanks again,

Steve

Thanks .. I am. In fact that's what I'm doing this final week before the marathon .. fine tuning everything. So far both GU and Hammer (gels) work great. Also did my bagels and then hammer bar early before my morning run .. then ran my plan of walk for 2:00 at each mile marker and run 11:00-12:00/min pace ... it worked great .. felt super. Stopped at 6 miles to fit my program but was ready for more.

I've been swimming an hour 3 days a week for the last week and a half and it has really helped. I never used to cross-train .. just run .. but now training for my first tri, it's a given. Should have done it a long time ago .. :)

I just have to watch the gatorade .. too much of that gets to my stomach ... at least it did in the half-marathon earlier this month. Then I went to half water half Gatorade and it was better .. I think it's the sugar.

Thanks,

Steve

make it two...

Powerbar Gel is amazing... I like the "Plain Energy".... no caffeine and 4xsodium. I like the cran-razz bloks.

definitely Gu for me - love the chocolate (in fact have them as a replacement of regular chocolate when I just have to have some). I find the chocolate a bit hard to take when working really hard so I switch to the strawberry/banana. Very sweet but a bit easier to swallow.

Can't stand the taste of the Hammer stuff. Tried them all at a booth a few weeks back and thought they were all terrible.

can't get cliff bars down here but have heard good things about them - might get some shipped over to try - I hear the choc-mint are the go.

/k

A key consideration is how long you think the marathon is going to take you... what's your goal finish time? The longer you are going to be out there, the more you are going to hate your life on gels...

That said, gels should be enough if you can get enough in you. Use your training runs to see how much you need to be eating to get you through your runs. I like to go with something like a gel every 45mins-1hr. Some people say that's too little, others too much. I find that I can't really stomach any more than that though. You've got to listen to your body and find what is right for YOU. There are people that say you want around 200-280 calories/hr, but I can't see to take in that much on the run... though it's not a problem on the bike. I think it's the getting sloshed around that my stomach doesn't like.

I would say, if you are going with gels, you should take straight water, as I have had a hard time with mixing gels and sports drinks. Some people with iron guts can take it, but not me. Again, see what you can handle...