GU review and giveaway!

We have done a lot of discussion here about nutrition and hydration during runs.  The good people at GU found out that many of you and I were interested in nutrition and hydration.  They sent me a GU Performance Energy Sampler to try out and tell you about.  They also sent me a Performance Energy Sampler to giveaway to one lucky reader.  Here is what is in the sampler:

Original GU Gels:  As many of you know, I am not a huge fan of gels.  It’s a textural thing.  I will tell you though, that I like the GU gels the best.  I feel like GU has the best flavors of gels on the market, making it easier to get them down.  My favorite would have to be Chocolate Outrage.  I could suck that stuff down all day!  I also really like the Mandarin Orange.  GU gels come in varying degrees of caffeinating.  They have flavors with no caffeine, one dose of caffeine, or even two doses of caffeine.  Since I like to caf up before a race, but not during or after, this is a huge plus for me. 

Roctane Ultra Endurance Gels:  This is an energy gel—supercharged.  It has the same texture as the regular GU, but contains scientifically advanced ingredients for better performance.  This product also comes in varying degrees of caffeine.  I liked all the flavors of the Roctane, but the Chocolate Raspberry was my favorite, followed by the pineapple. 

Chomps:  This was my favorite product in the box.  Chomps have the consistency of gummy bears.  They taste really good too, not like an endurance product, but like candy.  Chomps are much easier for me to down.  I cannot take a gel while in the middle of a run, but I can easily chew on some Chomps.  When I did my York Rail Trail 10 miler in August, I ate one Chomps block every mile or so.  The Chomps also coming is varying degrees of caffeine, a running theme with GU products. 

Brew Electrolyte Tablets:  These are tablets that you add to water.  I broke mine in half and dropped then in my bottle of water.  They are designed to be used before, after and during your workout.    I will report I am not a huge fan of the taste. This is nothing new for me though, since I am not a fan of any sports drinks due to the salty taste.  They are no more or less salty tasting than any other sports drink.  I am strictly a water only runner. 

Sounds good, right?   So, how do you win?  It’s very simple.  To win, you must be a follower of this blog.  To do this, click on the blue “join this site” button to the right of this post.  Next, you must be a follower of my new Twitter page.  Yes, I finally did it!  I started Twitting.  To follow me, click to the right on the Twitter box where it says “Join the conversation”.  Then comment below that you are a blog follower and a Twitter follower, including both your Twitter handle and your blog username.  If you already are a blog and Twitter follower, just tell me that in a comment with both of your user name and you are in.  On October 31, I will choose a winner from the comments I read below.  Good luck everyone! 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy