PRODUCT REVIEWS during my 18 mile journey & GU GIVEAWAY

Today was my first long run of my marathon training, since I just finished my first half marathon of the year and incorporated my half-training into my full-training. It snowed two days ago and I figured that I would be stuck on the treadmill in our basement for three hours today, but I was wrong (Don't tell my hubby that I admitted I was wrong about something!!).

The forecast was for 49 degrees or so and the snow was melted. I decided to do my run in the afternoon instead of the morning, so that I had the sunshine and the warmer temperature on my side. I hate wearing pants to run in. As you can see (from the photo below in Little Diva's room) that the sun was shining bright at 1pm. I was about to head out and Little Dude didn't like that I mixed things up a bit and was running in the afternoon (when he was more attached to me later in the day). The tear running down his cheek make me feel guilty, but I knew it was nap time and that his Grandpa was coming over to visit --- he would be fine. He really was trying to convince me to take the jogging stroller out ... but there is no way I can push that over 18 miles, with a 35 lb chunker inside!

I wore my IRUNLIKEAGIRL long sleeve technical top and a pair of shorts and Recovery Socks. It was perfect for the weather. Sometimes I regret wearing a long-sleeve top when I'm out there and start to feel sufficated. This shirt is so light that it just felt like I was running out there in my sports bra (something I will NEVER do -- those stretch marks will never see daylight!). The shirt killed the breeze but wasn't heavy and I loved it. I've worn it a few times and am thankful that I picked it up at an expo for $10 this winter.

I headed out and the weather was fantastic. I didn't hydrate well before I left. The water fountains at the parks aren't "open" yet, since it's still technically winter and the bathrooms aren't open either. I did a zig-zag loop around my neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhood and got nine miles in before heading home. I stopped to use the restroom quick and popped a Mint Chocolate Gu and some Powerade Zero that were waiting out next to my garage door. That Gu was the most fabulous tasting gel I've ever tried. At a mere 100 calories, it was heaven!!! I love Girl Scout thin mint cookies and shamrock shakes from McDonald's. This was the absolute best gel I've ever tried. The consistency went down well and I got a great surge within a few minutes. The size of the packet wasn't as large and as filling as the e-gels that I usually train with. But, the taste was satisfying.

I headed back out on the neighborhood path and to the neighborhood park and then tried out the new path that was finished last fall, that connects our neighborhood to a shopping area. How exciting to run over the new path and bridge. Over the second nine miles I popped a jet blackberry Gu with 2x caffeine. This really gave me a jolt, but I really didn't enjoy it as much as the mint chocolate version. Whether my tastebuds enjoyed it as much or not, it really did the trick. My feet were starting to hurt and the inside of my right foot was rubbing (slight blister now), but the gu carried me back to my mailbox, where I stopped to down the rest of my Powerade Zero and a bottle of water.

I really had a wonderful first long run of the season and enjoyed trying out the gu gels. I've heard so much about the Gu Chomps and hope to give them a try, too.

Enter for your chance to win EIGHT GU GELS
4 - pineapple

2 - vanilla bean

1 - mint chocolate

1- jet blackberry

Here's how you can win ... please post a comment for each entry, thanks!!

1 - You MUST be a follower -- leave me a a comment, thanks friends!

2 - Visit: http://www.guenergy.com/ and tell me what flavor of gel you'd like to try or that you already like best. -- leave me a comment

3 - Visit: http://www.guenergy.com/ and tell me what other GU product you would like to try -- leave me a comment

4 - Become a fan of Gu Energy Gel on Facebook -- leave me a comment

5 - Post about this giveaway on your blog, twitter or facebook page (as many times as you'd like) -- leave me a comment for each

Contest will end at midnight on Wednesday, March 24th. Winner will be announced on Thursday.

** Several more fun HUGE giveaways over the next month!! **