Fueling varies from runner to runner. As a rule of thumb, I aim that on long distance runs he takes one gel every 30-40 minutes, but I admit that I rarely adhere to this. We often lose track of time and try to replenish our energy based on how we feel, but that doesn't always work.
But as if sent to me by the running gods, I recently discovered how to set up gel alerts on my best Garmin watch. This is an innovative feature.
This is a very simple feature, but it can prevent you from hitting a wall on long runs. Many experienced long-distance runners will be familiar with this feeling. But this tool isn't just for veteran runners. It is also very useful for beginner runners.
Perhaps you're registering for your first half or full marathon and aren't sure how to approach your training and race day nutrition. After all, running long distances requires sustained energy, and if you can't replenish that energy, your performance will suffer and you won't feel as refreshed while running. (If you're about to run your first 42.2 miles, here's some advice on what to eat before a marathon.)
Whether you're training for a marathon, tackling a difficult trail, or simply experimenting with long runs, customize Garmin's fuel alerts based on time and distance intervals. Here's how you can do it one less thing.
How to set up gel alerts on Garmin
I don't have a lot of patience for setting up technology, but thankfully this was a 2 minute job. Here's how to set up fuel alerts on your Garmin watch.
- Press the start/stop button and Select a run activity
- Instead of pressing start activity, hold down the middle button with your garmin Click on Run Settings
- Scroll down and Select Alert. Select Add New. and select custom
- Scroll down and Select “Eat”. now Choose whether to set reminders according to time or distance
- Choose how often you want to receive alertsand Click “Confirm” (green checkmark). You can also choose your own name for the alert. I selected “Gel Time”, but the standard alert simply says “Eat”.
- Exit Then go back and double check that the status of this alert is turned on.
Which Garmin models have this setup?
According to Garmin, these alerts can be set on all models that are alert-enabled. If the above steps do not work, you may want to make sure that you have downloaded the latest updates on your device.
For reference, I set up gel alerts on my Garmin Fenix 7S Solar.