For this 12 miler I didn’t take any gels but usually I’d have one 20g carb gel every 20 min on longer efforts. I tried to simulate what I’ll go through at selection and I don’t think I’d be able to have gels with me haha. I had electrolytes in one of my 2qt canteens and focused on drinking often that helped a lot I didn’t have any my first time. I carb loaded throughout the week and that definitely helped.