Need help w/ gel/hydration needed for marathon/mary trng

Definitely agree with what everyone else on here has said.

My thoughts are that I was very surprised by the amount of gelling you did on this run, but that is because when I do my long training runs, I tend to only take a couple of gels.  I usually try to run at least 9 miles before my first gel and then add another gel every 5 miles or so.  The most number of gels I've ever taken on a training run was 3.

Every now and then I'll leave my gels at home for a really long run just to force myself to push through the tiredness.   I figure if I can run a solid pace w/o gels in training runs, just think how much better I can do in a race with the aid of gels or other race nutrition.

I've come to this training regiment for me through a lot of trial and error in training for the 4 Half Marathons, last year's Disney Marathon and my current training for the Marine Corp. Marathon.

Have you ever tried to run longer distances w/o gels?  You may want to at least establish a "baseline" and then you can tell when a gel will provide you benefit compared with the "guidelines" on the outside of the package. 

Plus, I always remain skeptical about how much a manufacturer tells us to use their product as they have a vested interest in you taking more gels then you need as they'll sell more of their product to you. 

My 2 cents is that the answer lies somewhere in trial and error and the expert advice of people much more experienced then myself.  Good luck. 

Have you done a sweat test?

I'd recommend doing that to make sure you are hydrating properly. Then do the math of how much you need to drink and the calories you are consuming to drink. The starting point most folks aim for is 270 cal/hour but that is tough for most folks running. Average sweat has 500 mg sodium in 16 oz of sweat.

I do the math after each of my long runs to make sure  hydrate properly, take in the right amount of calories and the right amount of sodium. Unless you know how much you sweat you won't know if you are doing a good job.

I sweat a lot and aim to drink 48 oz/hour..and have learned to do so..then I take Lava Salts as an electrolyte  every 30' and gels 1 every 30'. I add Nuuns to my water which add more electrolytes.  My goal is to drink about 48 oz an hour, take in just over 1000 mg of sodium and as close to 270 calories an hour I can....but that is what works for me. I do all my long runs like that as I'm practicing my HIM nutrition.

From my quick look; it appears you are taking in 312 cal/hour which is a little high which potentially your carb concentration % to high in your stomach which in time can effect stomach emptying and give you problems.