Is it safe to use sports drinks and gels in a marathon?

I'm preparing for a full marathon and have decided to use gels as after some experimenting I've found that they help me stay energized and provide a bit of a psychological boost. Anyways my question is, is it safe for me to use gels if I am drinking an sports drink (gatorade etc) which I may have to do as it will be very hot on the race day.I've heard that the combination can cause some unpleasant stomache reactions.





Thanks!|||Maybe try it before race day but this information below could help.





Energy gels: Carbohydrates don't get any more convenient than this. Gels come in small, single-serve plastic packets that can fit in that tiny key pocket in most running shorts. (Go ahead and try that with a sports drink. Actually, you better not.)





Gels contain mainly sugars and maltodextrins, which make them similar to sports drinks without the water. Some newer gels, such as e-Gel, also come with added electrolytes. There are also gels with extras such as ginseng and other herbs, amino acids, vitamins, and Coenzyme Q10 (a non-essential substance found in the body).





Caffeine is also in some gels. Check the label or consult the manufacturer's Web site for specific amounts as some gels contain as much caffeine as a half-cup of coffee. This won't be a problem if you normally use products with caffeine, but it can cause nervousness in folks not accustomed to it.





If you're a fan of honey--nature's original carbohydrate gel--but not into fitting that little plastic bear in your running shorts, check out Honey Stinger gel packs. Research by Richard Kreider, Ph.D., of Baylor University in Texas, suggests that honey boosts endurance just as well as the high-tech carb gels.





For optimum fueling: Most carbohydrate gels contain about 100 calories and 25 grams of carbohydrate. Depending on the intensity and duration of your run, you take in one to three gels for every hour you're out there. Remember to wash each down with ample water.|||gatorades good when excersizing it replenishes you. dont use energy drinks like red bull and monster because that has a short term affect and within 10 minutes ull have a killer head ache. gatorade is good though and im not sure aboutt he gel if ur worried about the combinded 2 having a bad reaction on ur marathon day... then just combine the 2 now and see what happens, and if its all good and great id say go for it and use it on ur marathon day. good luck though!|||Short answer: Use one gel about 10 minutes before the start of the marathon, and then one gel every 45 minutes. As for sports drinks, 3 to 4 ounces at each water table.