Long Distance Runners Fueling Question

[mjhurd31]

Any long distance runners here?

If so, have you found a gluten-free gel to use? I see larabars are gluten/soy/lactose free, but do you know if they work as well as gels on any run over 2 hours?

I'm totally in the dark on this subject. Any help at all would be appreciated.

Mike

[Heather22]

Hey Mike,

Check out Hammer Nutrition products:

Open Original Shared Link

I use their gels for long distance running and triathlons (6-7 hr events) in combination with other food and supplements. I have to admit that they don't taste the greatest, but it depends how desparate you are to find a product that gives you the boost you need (and feel confident you truly have a gluten-free product). You can also mix the flavors to make things a little more exciting. : )

Best of luck,

Heather : )

[Heather22]

Sorry, I just re-read you question and missed the larabar part. From my experience, Larabars are good, but not particularly while running. The nuts are high in fat (fat is slow to digest), which makes it hard on the digestive system....and I'm pretty sure you don't want to be in the line-up a the port-a-potty. When I do half marathons, I stick to water and gels - easy to digest and supplies a boost of carbohydrates. What ever you try, make sure you give it a go before the actual race or event.

H : )

[Mrs-Mama]

It's not a gel but we use Sharkies chewies. They're organic and gluten free. My hubby who has celiac and I are hoping to run our first full marathon this June.

[mjhurd31]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the help.

Mike

[munchkinette]

Yep, I'm a distance runner. I use Luna Moons (same as Clif Shot Blocks). My favorite flavor is pomegranate.

I also use Gu. That has been confirmed as gluten-free pretty recently by another poster on this board. I like the Chocolate Outrage with caffeine. I find a lot of the fruit flavors to be gross.

Sharkies are also gluten-free, but they taste really waxy to me.

[Bassets&Bengals]

Hey everyone -

I am a marathoner (running my 4th one in May) with Celiac, and I like to take Gu (Vanilla Bean is my fave) and Sport Beans.

For recovery and/or pre-run, I like Glutino's Chcolate & Banana bars, SoyJoy strawberry bars, and Apricot Clif bars.

Running is actually want prompted me to seek help for my GI issues, which I thought were just IBS. While I have yet to run a marathon in which I don't have to stop and go to the bathroom, my last one was only a 2-minute quick stop (as opposed to my first two which involved horrible cramping and lots of diarrhea). Here's hoping #4 is a no-poop race!

Halle

[latteda]

I use Sport Beans. They are gluten-free.

[jaymeeck]

Hi there, I'm new to the Celiac world and I'm an avid runner. Or at least I used to be. I have actaully been slipping in my running because I'm getting frustrated with my pre-run eating before my runs(both long and short). i just can't seem to find anything that gives me the energy that regular carb-loading does. I've tried the Sharkies and those are o.k. but they are more for during runs. I did notice that someone mentioned Gu is gluten free, because that is much better. But what about the 'carbing-up'? Is there something out there that works good? I really want to get back into my running habit, but I just need the energy. I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Jaime

[coltsfan18]

I am also relatively new to celiac disease and am a marathoner. I just did my first "gluten free" half marathon last Saturday and tried the GU Chomps (similar to Luna moons or Clif shot blocks). They worked great and weren't disgusting!

I am having trouble with the before and after run thing too. I ate rice pasta and sauce the night before and had a piece of gluten-free bread and peanut butter with a banana the morning of, but I don't think that was an awesome choice. I also don't like the taste of the Larabars...

Signing up for another marathon this fall...