My usual method during a long run is to stop at a newsagents around mile 10 and buy an energy drink, but obviously the stopping part is a bit of an inconvenience.

Today I tried a different approach on a long run and took some Powerbar gels with me instead so that I wouldn't need to stop. I took one at mile 5 and another at mile 10, and found them pretty easy to digest and I actually really liked the taste! (though my running pal described them as repulsive, so I guess it's subjective...) They did give a slow-release boost.

However, the big problem was that by the time I got to around mile 16, I could feel myself totally dehydrated and it wiped me out, so it's a lesson for me that hydration is probably much more important than an energy boost. I just find it quite awkward to carry a bottle for hours on end, though I suppose it's not a problem during races where drinks tend to be readily available.

Lisa, I almost inevitably end up being sick or retching immediately after a race. I guess because you push your body that bit harder during a race, it'll tend to be at its absolute limit when you cross the line. My personal feeling is that the less solids I have in my stomach, the less there is to bring back up, but other people have no problems chomping down a flapjack or bar mid-run.

I did London last year and would recommend you try Shot Blox.  I can't cope with gels as I don't like the taste or the fact that you have to take it all in one go or chuck the rest away.  The Blox were just like wine gums and you could eat them as and when.  I had a hilly belt that I used to store them in along with blister plasters and other essentials!

I'd definitely recommend trying to get used to Lucozade before the day as well as it helps to have as many sources of energy.  I'd heard the tip about taking a lid but thankfully last year they had the sports tops left on so I grabbed a bottle and sipped on it for the next few miles.

My other top tip that saved me on the day was that if it's hot to take a small section of sponge (I cut a baby sponge into 4) and either put it in a belt of stuff it down your shorts/tights!  It meant that at every water station I was able to wash my face off and then drink some of the water too.  It just helped me cool down on what was a very hot day.

I've not got a place this year and am jealous reading all the stories of long runs - strange!

Hi All,

On my long run today I took notice of what all you guys have been saying and took a half dozen jelly babies with me. The jury is out as i'm not sure if they helped or not but certianly did taste nice at mile 6/7/8/9 and 10 when i ran out 3 miles before i finished. They were a bit sticky on the fingers but no problem scoffing them down. I'll definately try them again.

Andy

I suffered a similar experience at last year's London marathon. I'm experimenting with various gels at the moment during my training runs. I remember last year I also tried some bean-type energy sweets - Shotz I think - which helped a bit. However, it's a fine line between getting a slight energy lift, and feeling vomitous.

One suggestion I was given was to swill a mouthful of energy drink, but not actually swallow, meaning you ingest the sugars quite slowly. Not sure if it works, mind.

Hi Lisa.
I'm with you all the way on this one....carbohydrate gels and drinks do zilch for me except make me need an urgent loo stop !!!
I once tried grapes during a 10 mile run but again played havoc with my digestive system.
I'm now using raisins...which are high in carbs, easily digested, and easy to carry around. I take a small handful in my shorts pocket and neck two or three every couple of miles.
I've also heard from other sources that as Chris Weera says....jelly babies work.

Best of luck with your marathon training and for the actual event.

A couple of suggestions. Jelly babies and try some different sports drinks. I found a lot of the drinks too sweet. Normal Gatorade Lemon flavour is not so sweet and I used to dilute 50% sports drink and 50% water. This was more tolerable and managed to get me round the New York marathon plus a banana at 20 miles as I had run out of Jelly babies...