GU/Hammer Gel

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2008-09-11 10:02 PM

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Subject: GU/Hammer Gel
So with the next year of my life dedicated to IM training I figured I would probably go through my fair share of gel packets.  I was looking online to see if I could save any money by buying wholesale or through amazon/ebay.  It appears as though the best value is a jug or large bottle of Hammer Gel.  Only question would be, how do I use it?  I can't really squeeze it into a small packet to take with me on a long bike/run.  Any ideas?  Are there any other places to buy good quality/low cost gel packs?


2008-09-11 10:05 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel

IronTotters - 2008-09-11 10:02 PM So with the next year of my life dedicated to IM training I figured I would probably go through my fair share of gel packets.  I was looking online to see if I could save any money by buying wholesale or through amazon/ebay.  It appears as though the best value is a jug or large bottle of Hammer Gel.  Only question would be, how do I use it?  I can't really squeeze it into a small packet to take with me on a long bike/run.  Any ideas?  Are there any other places to buy good quality/low cost gel packs?

Gel flasks.  They will hold as many as 5 gels.  You can get a bike mount for it, or just put it in your jersey pocket

2008-09-11 10:13 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel

What he said.

 


2008-09-11 10:16 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel

Why not train with what is on the course?

Shop around and you can get great deals on Powerbar Gels..I bought 4 boxes of 24 and still have some left.

2008-09-11 10:20 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
Anyone know off the top of their head what they have at IMOO?
2008-09-12 6:35 AM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
I agree that training with what is on the course is smart but you also have to like it and be able to stomach it. I love Hammer and I buy in bulk. The flask holds the equivelant of 5 packs and they have a flask holder that attaches to your bikes top tube so it's not hard to carry. Put a second one in Special Needs bag and if you need more just put one in your jersey pocket...they are small enough to fit easily.

FYI...I also like the flask for shorter races rather than the packets. The flask is easier to use rather that tearing open the packet and then trying to dispose of it or sticking it in a pocket all sticky. Plus in the shorter races when you don't need as much I mix the gel with water or heed and it goes down really smooth.

2008-09-12 10:59 AM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
Don't buy in bulk unless you know that flavor and product work for you.  Also keep in mind that you may experience flavor burn-out.  I started my IM training with Vanilla GU, after a while I had to swicth to Crank e-Gels as the thought of 1 more vanilla GU made me want to vomit. 
2008-09-12 11:03 AM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
IronTotters - 2008-09-11 10:20 PM

Anyone know off the top of their head what they have at IMOO?



Carmel Powergel this year. Powergel is the NAS sponser. Not sure about next year...
2008-09-12 11:03 AM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
AbbieR - 2008-09-12 11:59 AM

Don't buy in bulk unless you know that flavor and product work for you. 


Excellent point. Hammer has a sample package of the gel packs you can get so you can see what you like. Hammer Raspberry works for me.



2008-09-12 1:25 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
There's also a fair amount of difference in the ingredients between brands. I like Hammer Gel, because it uses maltodextrin and doesn't taste so sweet to me. I was hooked on Powerbar Caramel before that, but it has lots of fructose and is very sweet. Love the jugs and little flasks!
2008-09-12 1:28 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
imho, the 3-bottle deal from hammer gel is a great way to go. I think it works out to .63 cents/serving or something. Maybe I'm just a cheapskate.

You do need to know what flavors you like beforehand. I love espresso, hate the tropical. You can also mix flavors - I hear chocolate/raspberry is good.
hth
cw

2008-09-12 1:36 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
running2far - 2008-09-12 11:03 AM

IronTotters - 2008-09-11 10:20 PM

Anyone know off the top of their head what they have at IMOO?



Carmel Powergel this year. Powergel is the NAS sponser. Not sure about next year...


That must have been on the bike. They had several flavors on the run including plain and some brown one (i think coffee) that had caffeine (I can't have caffeine so I just gave it back without looking at what flavor it was).
2008-09-12 2:32 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
I get the big bottles of CarbBOOM, and use the gel flasks as pictured above. Just need to keep refrigerated after opening.
2008-09-12 2:36 PM
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Subject: RE: GU/Hammer Gel
instigator - 2008-09-12 2:36 PM

running2far - 2008-09-12 11:03 AM

IronTotters - 2008-09-11 10:20 PM

Anyone know off the top of their head what they have at IMOO?



Carmel Powergel this year. Powergel is the NAS sponser. Not sure about next year...


That must have been on the bike. They had several flavors on the run including plain and some brown one (i think coffee) that had caffeine (I can't have caffeine so I just gave it back without looking at what flavor it was).


I saw a bunch of different flavors as well. This is from the IM site and it's pretty much what I saw (I think the gatorade is endurance formula):

Bike Aid Station
Gatorade
Water
PowerBar Gel
PowerBar
Bananas
Oranges

Run Aid Stations
Gatorade
Water
Cola
PowerBar Gel
Pretzels
Chicken Soup Broth (Fulls only, after dark)
Oranges
Bananas
PowerBar

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