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Sunday, March 21, 2010

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!! **

60 comments:

  1. I'd like to try the orange burst although truthfully I want to try the chomps more.

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  2. I guess I already did this. Chomps!

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  3. I'm posting this on my blog.

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  4. I'd like to try the new Blackberry, but am afraid of the 2x caffeine.

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  5. I am also a fan of the Gu chomps.

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  6. I also love the Mint Chocolate. I'm so happy that they made it a regular flavor instead of just a limited time holiday flavor. Sometimes I eat them as snacks ;)

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  7. I really want to try the brews and recovery brews. I wish they had small packets in stores...

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  8. I totally already was a fan of GU on facebook

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  9. Blueberry Pomegranate Chomps look amazing.

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  10. Nice job on the 18 miles! I'm a follower!

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  11. That mint chocolate sounds delicious, especially since I already tend to prefer the Chocolate Outrage.

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  12. I want to try out the Gu Chomps and there's a package waiting for me, I just need to pick a run to try them out.

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  13. Linked to the giveaway on my blog.

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. I would like to try the chocolate mint, strawberry banana, lemon sublime.

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  16. Other products I would like to try: Chomps! Blueberry pomegranate and cranberry apple sound like good flavors.

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  17. I am a new follower :)

    kissyjensen at gmail dot com

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  18. I would like to try the Roctane Pineapple

    kissyjensen at gmail dot com

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  19. I am a follower and LOVE your blog!

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  20. I love the tri-berry Gu...sooo yummy!

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  21. I just tried the Gu Chomps last weekend and really liked them.

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  22. I am a fan on facebook already!

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  23. I would really like to try cranberry apple Gu Chomps

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  24. I love GU products!! I am already a follower of yours!

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  25. I checked out their site and would love to try the chocolate mint. I already love the Cranberry apple GU Chomps. Very easy to chew and swallow on the run and a nice burst of energy!

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  26. I am a fan of theirs on Facebook!

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  27. I just posted this giveaway to my blog :)
    http://barefoot-angieb.blogspot.com/

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  28. The Chomps are my favorite!

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  29. I put your giveaway on my blog!

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  30. I'd love to try the chocolate outrage. I've never had a chocolate gel.

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  31. Ooh, I'd love to try the mint chocolate! I'm all about some Thin Mints.

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  32. Great job on your first long run of the season...I haven't hit that mile mark yet...I still have some healing to do before I get there.

    Glad you enjoy the Gu gels - I can't do caffeine as it makes me very ill...Still trying to find a gel that gives me a boost - tough without the caffeine.

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  33. Great long run! Sure, I'll enter- I am already a follower.

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  34. I want to try the mint chocolate. Love the ice cream, the cookie, why not the gel?

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  35. I want to try the brews...haven't tried them yet.

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  36. Congrats on the great training run! Sounds like I have to try the choc mint Gu! I LOVE thin mints and shamrock shakes too!

    I just became your 140th follower!

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  37. I am already a fan of GU on FB

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  38. I linked this gievaway to my blog

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  39. I've heard people liking the Chomps so I'd like to try that.

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  40. I'd like to try the pineapple GU!

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  41. I love orange chomps because when I first started running long distance I just couldn't stomach the gel but I'm learning to like it actually

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  42. I want to try the mint chocolate =)

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  43. already a fan on FB

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