-

-

Monday, August 13, 2012

GU Performance Energy Sampler Review & Giveaway

If you are an endurance athlete, chances are, you have tried one product or another from Gu Energy (HERE).  It's more than just slimy gels.  They offer gels, chews, electrolyte drinks, recovery drinks .... they offer it all.  And in so many great-tasting flavors (And, many with the caffeine that we long for!).

Gu Energy Gels (HERE)  provide athletes with a dose of 100 calories to deliver high-quality, easily-digested and long-lasting energy for athletes in every sport and at all levels. Everything inside each packet of GU is engineered to do one simple thing: provide your body with the essential nutrition it needs to keep going for miles and miles and hours and hours. It goes down easy, and it goes to work fast so you don't have to slow down.

GU should be consumed 15 minutes before and then every 45 minutes thereafter.


Mint Chocolate is my absolute favorite, along with Vanilla Bean.  And, now they offer peanut butter???  Yum.  Some athletes complain about the "pudding-like" consistency.  But, I don't mind it ... especially when I'm on the run.  I carry 2-3 in my handheld water bottle and pull them out ever 40-60 minutes, as needed.  I don't even need to stop to tear open the packet and consume it.  I tend to "sip" on one over a mile or so and then toss it in the trash (don't litter!) or fold it back up into my handheld water bottle.  I always down my gels with plenty of water.  They key to consume these, is taking them BEFORE you feel like you need it.  I love so many of the flavors, but tend to stay away from the berry flavors ... just my preference. 

My boyfriend tried two for the first time yesterday and really liked the boost they gave him.  It was one of his longest runs ever (12 miles) and they really helped him keep going and I noticed his pace increased during the miles immediately following consumption.



GU Chomps (HERE) are also a favorite of mine.  It had been awhile since I had some of these "adult fruit snacks".  They are soft and chewy ... and unlike other products out there, they don't stick to your teeth.  My favorite is the Watermelon flavor -- I can't say enough about it.  They taste AWESOME!  I will be buying more ... SOON ... for the rest of my marathon training.  I had one at mile 12 yesterday and didn't consume anything else, except water, until I completed 21 miles total.  The carbs and electrolytes really gave me what I needed to get through those last eight-ish miles.  I did consume the whole 2-serving packet.  At 180 calories, it was a fair trade with the huge boost it gave me.  It you prefer to chew something on your runs, versus the gels, I would highly recommend trying these.  They rock.  Enough said.

Chomps can be consumed before, during, and right after activity. A 2-serving packet will provide 180 calories and 60 grams of carbohydrates.



GU Electrolyte Brew Drink (HERE) is awesome. Brew, when mixed with water, contains the right amounts of sodium, potassium and carbohydrates to bring your system back into balance. The key is to use it consistently in your workout routine, which I have not done yet.  I loved the Tropical Fruit and Grape flavors.  I am not a fan of any Lemon-Lime beverages.  But, you may enjoy it.  Considering something different than when you find in the aisles of your local grocery store?  Check it out .......

What's in it?

•Carbohydrate Blend - The mix of maltodextrin and fructose found in GU Electrolyte Brew serves a dual role: it supplies working muscles with easily available fuel, and it speeds up the rehydration process by stimulating the absorption of both electrolytes and fluid in the stomach. Research shows that the featured 2:1 ratio of complex to simple carbohydrates will improve endurance performance by increasing the rates of exogenous carbohydrate absorption.

•Sodium and Potassium - Electrolytes facilitate the neuromuscular system’s ability to work effectively so that your muscles keep doing what your brain tells them to do. Simply put, electrolytes help to avoid cramping. GU Electrolyte Brew packs 325mg of sodium and 50mg of potassium (Blueberry Pomegranate contains 490mg of sodium and 40mg of potassium) into one 21 oz. serving.

•Natural flavor and color - Studies show that taste, aroma, and color will most likely determine whether or not you keep drinking. Too much flavor or sweetness—often found in artificially flavored drinks—will cause you to stop hydrating after a while.

Gu states that unlike a lot of the sport drinks available GU Electrolyte Brew has a light, mildly sweet flavor that doesn't overwhelm the athlete during activity. Adding performance to taste, the optimized 2:1 complex to simple carbohydrate ratio allows athletes to keep going for hour after hour of activity.

For optimal results, always drink 20-30 oz. of GU Electrolyte Brew per hour during training or racing. Proper usage will help to replenish fluid and carbohydrate replenishment during activity

And, what a TREAT, I saved for last ... the GU Recovery Brew Drink (HERE) ... the yummy Chocolate Smoothie.  The premium quality ingredients in GU Recovery Brew help you quickly replenish energy stores and rebuild muscles after an intense workout. GU’s Recovery Brew reinvents the category and evolves this critical training tool into a nutritional experience we’re confident you’ll actually enjoy.  This recover drink, offers lots of whey protein isolate for speed recovery of muscle fibers; something I'm currently lacking in my diet.  This tasted great after a 12 miler.  I haven't had a chance to try it enough to see the effects, but I can definitely attest to the fact that it tastes sweet and was a really nice post-workout treat.




******************************

One lucky winner will win a
Gu Performance Energy Sampler
PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!

1 – Become a follower of my blog or already are?! LEAVE ME A COMMENT

2 – Follow Running Diva Mom on Facebook HERE. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

3 – Visit the Gu website HERE and tell me what you think is fabulous. LEAVE ME A COMMENT

4 – Become a fan of Gu on Facebook HERE (and let them know Running Diva Mom sent you!). LEAVE ME A COMMENT

5 – Post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter account. LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR EACH.

Enter now though Wednesday, August 22.
[If you would like YOUR product or website featured on Running Diva Mom, please email me at ( runningdivamom at yahoo dot com ) ]


121 comments:

  1. PICK ME PICK ME! I'm a follower of ur blog!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I follow your blog -- and could really use some fuel!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the vanilla bean flavor, thanks to a recommendation from a friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like the research GU lists about caffeine and endurance sports. Sometimes I'm on the fence with that one. Great giveaway! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm a big fan of the GU chomps.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm now a fan of GU on facebook and let them know you sent me!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Chocolate is by far my favorite GU Gel flavor that they offer - yum!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I follow your blog

    ReplyDelete
  9. I follow RDM on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like the Chomps. I like fuel I can chew!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like their Learn the Science section

    ReplyDelete
  12. Watermelon chomps are awesome :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. i LOVE espresso love gu and strawberry chomps

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love all the helpful information they provide + the Chomps! Yum!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I added a link to my sidebar. www.clarinds.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Following you via GFC!
    angharris55@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I follow RDM on Facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think the GU Energy Gel is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I liked GU on Facebook and posted that you sent me!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I tweeted about this giveaway!

    Wanna win a @GUEnergyLabs Sampler Pack? Running Diva Mom is hosting a giveaway ENDS 8/22.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great post on the GU Energy Labs stuff - cool blog - I follow!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I Tweeted:
    Want to win a @GUEnergyLabs Sampler Pack? Running Diva Mom has posted a giveaway that ends 8/22
    Check it out! http://runningdivamom.blogspot.com/2012/08/gu-performance-energy-sampler-review.html

    ReplyDelete
  24. I posted on GU's Facebook wall: Love your GU Chomps & Running Diva Mom sent me to tell you so!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I visited GU Energy Labs' web site & I think their Roctane Electrolyte Drink Mix is "fabulous"! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Following you on Facebook!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I posted "That GU sampler looks great! I sure could use it!" on your Facebook wall!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love all of the flavors of GU, and I like that they make ones with and without caffeine so you can choose

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like your Facebook page!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like GU on Facebook too!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I tweeted!
    https://twitter.com/pace_of_laurel/status/235157657558851585

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm a blog follower!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I think the Chocolate Outrage is good!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Before this giveaway I was all ready a FB fan of GU.

    ReplyDelete
  35. My favorite is Pineapple Roctane. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I follow you on FB and your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  37. And I of course follow you on FB too!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love Gus! I love that they come in so many different flavors! I agree the berry ones are notttt for me. I can kind of stomach the mandarin orange without water--but vanilla is definitely the way to go. I used that during my half marathon last year. I am training for my first full marathon and using Gus religiously on my long runs. I love the energy rush I experience the mile after I take it! I'm so much faster! So in the end...gus are just fabuloussss

    ReplyDelete
  39. I've been all about the vanilla and tri-berry flavors for a couple of years, but I tried the peanut butter last weekend. I think I found a new favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I use their gel but would like to try the Chomps. It took me a couple of times to get used to the pudding like texture but have to say on my last few long runs they really helped me keep going and finishing strong.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Jamie! You know I follow your blog! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  42. And I'm a fan on facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love any GU that has caffeine in it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am already a fan of GU on facebook! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  45. I will post about your blog and this giveaway on my facebook page in the morning.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love how Gu has so many flavors to choose from (mmm, peanut butter Gu! So good with tri-berry Nuun- like a gooey pb&j!), and how they have a variety of products.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Already a blog follower!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I think the tri-berry gu is my favorite. I guess I'm the opposite of you... I prefer the berry flavors and not so much the chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love the vanilla bean and would like to try the chocolate smoothie

    ReplyDelete
  50. I am a fan of GU on FB and told them you sent me.

    ReplyDelete
  51. What's fabulous on GU's website? How about Reba on the home page? She's a hero of mine!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Following your blog! mommy-peeyook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. New follower and digging your blog posts. Fingers crossed for some GU!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I've been a follower for years now! Got a new blog though.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love getting updates via fb on you and your family - and your running tales!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm also a fan of GU on fb. I told them I'm loving the Roctane Ultra Endurance Gel - Island Nectars right now. Takes me back to the beach when I'm out for a run. Pick me - I could use another box!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Their limited edition GU Rocket Man t-shirts are fabulous! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  58. I am a follower of your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I checked out the Gu website and like that the Gel comes in so many flavors.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I've always liked the gels, but I'd love to try the recovery brew too!

    ReplyDelete
  61. posted to my blog about your giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'd love to win! I'm a blog follower.

    Amy Lauren
    proudpatriot2007(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Also, I follow you on Facebook.

    Amy Lauren
    proudpatriot2007(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. And, I liked GU on Facebook.

    Amy Lauren
    proudpatriot2007(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. On the website, I think it's fabulous they have some Gus with caffeine and some without, and with different levels. It's good because they all affect your digestive system differently.

    Amy Lauren
    proudpatriot2007(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Hello. I just found your Web site in the last couple days and am loving it. I'm also a new e-mail subscriber. Thanks!

    Leigh
    wordsmithery (at) frontier (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  67. New RDM Facebook follower (as Leigh Ramsey, here: http://www.facebook.com/1WomanWordsmith). Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hi. I'm just at that development in my running where I'm building up mileage & would need an energy supplement for LSD runs, so I'm enthused to read about GU, which I actually haven't tried yet. Anyway, what I, as a science fanatic, like about the mission of GU Energy--as stated on their Web site--is that GU is focused on research & development and, thus, quality & efficacy for the endurance athlete. So, I love that the "Vice President of R&D/Scientific Affairs sources only the highest quality ingredients and happily rejects raw materials if they are off spec. He also oversees the production process ... ensuring precision in the mixing process."
    Thanks again!
    Leigh S.
    wordsmithery (at) frontier (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I also like GU on Facebook (Leigh Ramsey, http://www.facebook.com/1WomanWordsmith).

    Thanks!
    Leigh
    wordsmithery (at) frontier (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Finally, I posted this RDM giveaway on my FB page (http://www.facebook.com/1WomanWordsmith). Hope it helps you get more runner/reader moms!

    Thanks!
    Leigh
    wordsmithery (at) frontier (d0t) com

    ReplyDelete
  71. This post gives the light in which we can observe the reality.This is very nice one and gives indepth information.Thanks for sharing this nice article.christmas cash advance

    ReplyDelete