I had answered a question online regarding GU (Gel) on the course for the 2011 event
In 2009 I ran with only 2 GU packets, thought it to be enough for 2010
"Officially" there was one at the mile 17 aid station.
"Unofficially" there was ANOTHER gel location around mile 21
Things can get rather primal during a race event.
I needed a gel (GU) VERY badly... I had used the one I got on the course, plus the two I had carried. I looked EVERYWHERE for one while I was running, but could not find one. I even asked other runners if I could have theirs.
Runner #1 that has what looks to be 20 GU pinned everywhere to his shorts shirt, hat, belt.
Me: "Um can u please spare a GU?"
Runner #1: "DUDE I've been running with these for 20 miles!, I'm not your SAG wagon!"
Me: "$5?"
Runner #2: "See ya!"
Me: "So looks like you have lots of GU there"
Runner #3 "I need every one of them"
Me: "But I only brought 2!"
Runner #3 "Idiot"
Wondering what I was going to do, as I could feel that my nemesis let's call it "CRAMPZILLA" about to come visit me.
Often spectators give things to the runners. Orange slices/water/candy/pretzels etc.
I spot a spectator hiding a gel in her hand standing next to the course along the curb.
I didn't know if she was offering it to anyone, or if it was a rendezvous point for a runner she was supporting or what. But when I saw it in her hand, I decided I had to make it mine.
I angled over to the side of the street, ran past, and without breaking stride snatched it out of her hand!Laughing maniacally, I was fumbling to open the thing while running,
I turned back to see her reaction, it was then I realized she had NOT been offering it to me, I had STOLE IT! After ripping the thing open and pouring it down my gullet as fast as I could, I started to gag on it cause it was double espresso and I can't stand that flavor.
But that nasty thing helped me for the next couple miles before the CRAMPZILLA monster came calling.
So don't know if that helps your friend at all, but it does emphasize the point that you need to carry enough Gel on board so you don't have to steal any from spectators. Not because its the wrong thing to do, its because you don't know what flavor they will have.
