Clif Shot Bloks are fairly new I think, you can get them from www.wiggle.co.uk (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/search/run/8/?nav=Ntk:All|shot+bloks|1|,Nea:True,Ny:True)

Unfortnately some of these things appear to only come in volume, couldn't find anywhere to buy a asingle pack to try out before forking out on loads of them. They are relatively palatable option and you don't have to chew them very much. Although I do like the jelly beans they are  bit chewy when running and I wonder what damage I'm doing to my teeth (dentist visit next week!) having all that sugar in contact for quite a while.

Hi Trev,

I've been trying out various things as part of marathon training. Like you I was a bit sceptical about the cost of these things but I must admit they do seem to help to keep energy levels constant throughout the distance. My last half marathon I used carbohydrate jelly beans (lucozade) and just munched on a handful eery 2-3miles and this really worked for me (plus water and lucozade at stations). I have a wristband I keep the packet in - this stops them rattling as you're running which can be annoying. I'm not keen on gels, I feel slightly nauseuos at the gloopy consistency and end up getting gloop all over hands when tearing the top off sometimes which can be annoying.

Have recently got some shot bloks which are quite good too, easily chewable and disappear quickly.

When I first started "eating" on long runs I used to refuel every 4-5 miles - I've now found that smaller quantities every 2-3 miles seems to work better for me and don't wait until you're really tired to refuel, have something before you start to feel tired.

Hope this helps!

Hi Trev,

I waited until Holland and Barratt had a special on and brought a couple of energy gels at half price. I used one of them at 10 miles into my first half marathon and they are a bit gluppy but I think it did get me though to the end as it was a really hot day (in fact 40 bailed out cos of the heat) and I was starting to fell a little feeble as I was pushing hard.

Finished in 1:39;38, bit light headed but nothing a banana, a Mars bar chaser and copious amounts of water couldn't sort out.

As well as that it was one of those squeezy packs with a little screw on top so I could tuck it into my water bottle belt. Got the other in the fridge ready for the Birmingham Half in October.