Welcome back to another edition of the Ask Coach Parry podcast, Lindsey Parry joins us, I’m Brad Brown. Lindsey, question in from Charlotte today and she wants to know; is it a good idea to run long distances without taking gels. She used to use them in half marathons; but now she doesn’t take any, even when she’s doing marathons and ultras. Should she be concerned or is it a good thing?

Lindsey Parry: Look, I don’t think it’s a good thing and I don’t think she needs to be concerned. I think it’s really a case of what works for the individual. As long as you are getting in enough energy from what other products you’re using; you’re not going hyperglycaemic or you’re not hitting the wall, you’re not running low on energy, then it’s not a bad thing, no.

Are gels the quickest form of energy?

I think the main thing with gels is they just really are the easiest way to get a large amount of energy in a very short space of time. Not everybody reacts well to them. They make a lot of people sick, but for other people it is, it’s an extremely convenient thing to carry to get in your energy. I think she’s fine, it sounds to me like she’s enjoying her running. It doesn’t sound to me like she’s having any issues, so therefore I don’t think it’s bad at all that she’s not taking those gels.

BB: Excellent stuff, Charlotte, thank you so much for your question and thanks for being in touch as well. I’m Brad Brown, Lindsey Parry with us. Lindsey, thanks so much for your time, we’re back again in just a couple of days time with the next edition of the Ask Coach Parry podcast.