Runners

084 RUNNERSWORLD.CO.UK JULY 201860-secondgear guideDon’t likeenergy gels?No problem``````Cafeine Bullet£2.95, pack of 4,cafeinebullet.comIf you want some-thing solid to chewon for energy onrace day, try these.Each bullet has100mg of cafeine- it’s like a strongcup of cofee.LESS PAIN,MORE GAINA new weapon in thewar against injury## WHAT IS IT?A portable device that helpsto reduce pain and discomfort,repair muscular injuries andspeed up recovery.``````HOW DOES IT WORK?The PainPod is like a TENS(trans-cutaneous electricalnerve stimulation) machine.It works by sending micro-electrical currents throughyour body: they block painreceptors to the brain, soperception of discomfort isreduced; improve generalcirculation and stimulateblood low to the afectedarea, to speed up the body’snatural healing process; andencourage the release ofmyokines – amino acidsthat promote an anti-inlammatory response.## WHO IS IT FOR?Anyone who trains hard orwho experiences muscularpain, whether exercise-induced or otherwise.``````WHAT ELSE?There are two main models:the PainPod 3 (£319), a remotecontrol-sized device withconnecting wires. It ofers12 treatment options and20 intensity settings. ThePainPod Mi (fewer optionsbut less expensive, too, at£89) consists of a matchbox-sized unit and two connectingwires with sticky pads. It’sdesigned to attach to evenawkward areas and ofers a10-hour overnight recoverysession, as well as an intense15-minute session if you needa quick boost.``````PainPodFrom £89, painpod.co.uk## RW VERDICTElectrotherapy is a well-establishedand thoroughly researched methodof muscular treatment, so there’s nosnake oil here. Our tester used bothmodels – the PainPod 3 to treat astubborn case of plantar fasciitisand the PainPod Mi for recoveryafter tough sessions. Both testsresulted in immediate and lastingimprovement of symptoms. PainPodis certainly not cheap but it’s wellworth the investment.•••••••••Clif Shot Bloks£2.70, pack of 6,runnersneed.comOne pack is perfectfor longer trainingruns or races.Each chew,which should betaken with water,contains 80g ofcarbohydrateplus electrolytes.``````Revvies£2.85, pack of 5,revviesenergy.co.ukA pepper-and-menthol-lavouredstrip that dissolveson your tongue,this 40mg cafeinehit gets to workin seconds.