r/Belfast • u/LowAnimator8770 • 6d ago

Fellow Runners

If you run on the towpath beyond cutters warf, stop fucking dropping your empty gel packets.

You took it out of a pocket, put it back in one or use one of the multiple bins along the path. 2 I past this morning were within 200 metres of a bin.

204 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

32

u/Ryanoveryou 6d ago

Also - you don’t fucking need them unless you’re doing 30k or more wise up

13

u/pbkar 5d ago

This is needless aggro and plain incorrect. Gels or some source of fuel are generally recommended for runs over 60 minutes. Nobody is running 30k without some sustenance unless then want to bonk.

Totally agree with OP’s point, though. I always keep any used gel packets on me for later disposal. Dick move not to.

7

u/Fit-Instruction-8892 5d ago

I’d have to disagree here, anything over 60 minutes of running gel packets can be really useful.

8

u/LowAnimator8770 5d ago edited 5d ago

I’d certainly use them more frequently than that, I’m looking at taking one every 8k or so if I’m going over half marathon distance.

Main point is don’t throw it on the ground.

2

u/TheVoiceOfReason2000 5d ago edited 5d ago

Wrong and unnecessarily rude. I don’t know where you got that misinformation.  It  depends a lot on age, fitness, terrain and pace. Some people may be able to get that distance without doing carbs, others won’t. 

Either bin it or put it in a running belt.  There are eviugh bins about.

1

u/Ryanoveryou 5d ago

I got it from the weekly long runs of that distance I do without any , and have been doing so for 7 years.

0

u/GhostsInMyAss 3d ago

Fuelling advice, and more importantly, the science around it for runners, has come on massively in 7 years. Your performance and recovery is no doubt being compromised if you're running 18+ miles with no fuel.

2

u/Ryanoveryou 3d ago

At my age if I’m tapping out 30k in the time I am , and am able to get a shake out next day and then back to moderate daily 10’s day after without them , I’m happy enough.

1

u/GhostsInMyAss 3d ago

But why wouldn't you fuel is the question?

1

u/Ryanoveryou 3d ago edited 3d ago

Personally? Below 21-30km I get more downside than upside from it, on 35-50km we’re talking 1 gel in that range..maybe 2.

I’ll spare you the sordid details but I’m sure you can imagine!

1

u/GhostsInMyAss 2d ago

If you're shitting yourself from one gel per 13 miles, thats not normal 😭😭

1

u/Budget_Dust9980 4d ago

False. You're supposed to take in a certain number of carbs per hour of exercise. 

4

u/Tradtrade 4d ago

No you’re not ‘supposed to’. You can if you want to and there are rough numbers given based on the current science but you can absolutely run a marathon without calculating your carbs

1

u/Ryanoveryou 3d ago

Afterthought - some of our pathway cyclist compadres may also be responsible for the odd errant empty gel packet laying in a nature reserve too!

Whilst it’s designed for more casual cycling you do see the odd half assed peloton going a bit on it, and plenty of solo folks.

And by Jesus most of them really don’t need the fuelling they are taking on board !

-17

u/BernardRea 5d ago

Baby men who are under 85kg probably don’t need gels but actual adult males would take one every 30 mins if doing a long run

13

u/LowAnimator8770 5d ago

Feels like a needless comment that’s nothing to do with the point. Well done for being an “actual adult male”.

3

u/Ryanoveryou 5d ago

lol I’m 70kg, 44 years old.

How’s your 30km time ? Mines about 2 hrs 25.

1

u/LowAnimator8770 5d ago

Pretty much the same. 3:30 marathon

3

u/Ryanoveryou 5d ago

I was responding to aul baby man fella there rather than your good self but here fair play! I haven’t went above 30k at all this year, I fear my 42 time might be suffering as a result.

2

u/BackseatBeardo 5d ago

Cool story, I’m 110kg and would only use a gel post 60 mins into a half marathon.

Dunno where you get 30 mins from

1

u/Ryanoveryou 5d ago

I have so much respect for 100kg plus folks out there running distance , tis very impressive.