First off, the review:
GU Energy Labs sent me a package of GU goodness to review* and share with my readers. Yesterday I had my long run planned, so I decided to take some Cranberry Apple Chomps along.
Each bag contains 8 pieces, which is considered two servings. Each serving has 90 calories. Here’s what GU says about what the chomps contain:
Amino acids for added focus, rippin’ energy and speedy recovery.
• Vitamin C + E, those mighty antioxidants that combat tissue breakdown.
• Sodium and potassium to restore electrolyte balance.
• Exclusive blend of complex and simple carbohydrates.
• Vitamin C + E, those mighty antioxidants that combat tissue breakdown.
• Sodium and potassium to restore electrolyte balance.
• Exclusive blend of complex and simple carbohydrates.
The flavor I used also contained caffeine. Two of the available flavors (orange and blueberry pomegranate) do not.
My experience: I ate two chomps at the 4, 6, 8, and 10 mile points of a 12 mile run. I LOVED this flavor. It was sweet and slightly tart. I admit to loving gummy bears and these were a similar texture, but a bit softer and easier to chew. I had zero GI issues, which was awesome and somewhat surprising. I have a cold and post nasal drip, so my stomach was already a little upset. Also, the similar product I’ve tried (shot blocks) had me racing for a bathroom and kept me there off and on for hours both times I tried it. I was able to get the chomps out fairly easily and the bag fit perfectly in the pouch of my Amphipod holder.
Pros: Great Flavor
A little caffeine boost
Great texture
Didn’t slow me down as much as eating a gel
Able to spread the boost out throughout the run
Cons: I had a little trouble opening the bag with really sweaty hands
It was a bit difficult getting the last couple out without touching them (I didn’t really want sweat all over them, nor did I want to risk sticky hands.)
All in all, I think these were a success. I’ll definitely be using them again. I’d totally recommend them, especially if you don’t like the consistency of gels.
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Random other stuff:
- I bought new kicks yesterday at Pacers. I got the Mizuno Wave Rider 13s. I love my old Wave Riders and I’m sort of scared to use the new Saucony’s for a 19 mile run, but all of my other shoes are in bad shape. I also got to meet the “Leprechaun” who’ll be trying to pass everyone at the Four Courts Four Miler. I figured out that he’ll likely pass me at about mile 2, despite starting 6 minutes behind me.
- Shoo and I are about to head to the doctor for a strep test for him. His throat looks just like Jones’, sigh. He also has a cold and spent last night coughing until he threw up. Ahh, the joys of parenthood.
- I got to meet Dorothy from Mile Posts the other day when I picked up my National Marathon volunteering info. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a camera. Speaking of, she could still use a few more volunteers!
- After several days of beautiful weather, it’s raining. It’s expected to continue for the next couple of days, which means I’ll be racing in the rain. I don’t generally mind that, but there are grates in the road on the very steep hill that are slippery when wet. I will either have to slow down on the downhill (really don’t want to do that) or risk falling on my butt (not fond of that idea either).
*I was given these by GU, but the opinions are my own.
Well I certainly hope the throat gets better.
That's something that maybe I should try. I just can't do gels at all (makes me sick) so I usually train (and race) with accelerade.
I need to try the chomps. Sorry about the rain 🙁
Hope the boys are better soon. Have a great time at the race this weekend. The rain will sure make your post race shower feel nice!
I LOVE GU CHOMPS! If you have any extra that you don't like, feel free to send them my way. ;)Rainy here all weekend too. Ugh, sooo not looking forward to a long run in the rain.
… Amino acids for added focus, rippin' energy and speedy recoveryThese things are suppositories, right?Because if I'm gonna put anything that you have to use the word "acid" to describe in my mouth, it had better be from Berkeley and have been cooked by Stanley Owsley and it BETTER not be the brown bummer acid that was going around at Woodstock because I HATED that stuff the first time!Which brings me to my real point:When are you going to do your review of psychedelics?
I really love Gu Chomps! They are my favorite thing to eat. When I did Richmond, I had 2 bags of Gu Chomps (pom flavor) and 1 bag of sports beans. I'm afraid of the caffenated stuff..but maybe I'll give it a go on a shorter long run.
i have switched to 'candy' at the advice of my Coach due to the issues i have developeed with my PowerGels (and made for a bad marathon in January)…and i have the same ones you tried, but MAN I CANNOT CHEW THOSE THINGS WORTH A DARN!! 🙂 but they DO taste yummy!!!
I hope Shoo's throat gets better soon! Have a great weekend!
I just started using GU chomps, and I love them! They taste so good. I might try to pop a few caffeine ones before the race tomorrow–caffeine messes up my delicate runner's stomach, but hopefully not on such a short course. See you out there!
Hope the little guy gets better soon! I got the box yesterday. If my first half marathon wasn't the weekend prior, I would so run the Oak Barrel. Thank you again!!
Thanks for the review of the chomps! I think I would like that flavor too! Happy weekend:)
I concur with your Gu Chomp assessment. I really like them, although they are sometimes difficult to extract from the water bottle pouch after they have been in there for a while. They really get the taste buds hopping I have found…great flavor! Have a super weekend!
thanks for the review, I've been wanting to try the chomps
I hate puke :)psyched to try the chomps though!
Oh boy, I hope the throat gets better!Those chomps sound pretty good! I can't wait to try them!
i like the luna moons the best for food on the run…but i learned that i need to open the bag before the race starts…
Excellent review on the GU chomps. GU Gel makes me (dear gentle reader…) while I'm running.Yea, I'll hold you accountable. HAHA… I can see it now "Today I had a handful of triskit (?) crackers and some antipasto spread. I'm not sure where to put that. Is that a healthy snack because I ate a responsible amount? Or is that not a healthy snack because the rule is suppose to be not to eat it if your great grandmother won't recognize it as food… " (true story though, because I'm too tired to be imaginative).
Just wanted you to know that after reading your blog the other day where you squeezed in a run with only minutes to spare, I was inspired to go an extra 5 today. Granted, it was windy and miserable, but I feel good that I did it on top of the 5 I had already ran with my dog!ps-I love my Mizuno's but only for speed work/short distance. They don't have much too them for long distances. Enjoy!
I am doing 1/2s. I am not sure I have it in me to train for marathons anymore. Smart that you have only have one "fly to" race…this Seattle thing is pricey!
Love Chomps! The strawberry is caffinee free too!Hope everyone starts feeling better.
Thanks for the review. I want to try these. When I used Sports Beans in a marathon I opened them ahead and put them in a baggie in my pack so I didn't have to deal with opening them. It worked well. Hope your family gets better soon!
Soooo not looking forward to running long in the rain. Have fun at the race:)
I've wanted to try the Gu chopms but haven't seen them in any stores around here. We've had the rain all week . . . it sucks, but it's way better than freezing temps and snow!
Sick kids. Ugh. Tonight my 18 month old removed her pajamas (which is a milestone that totally bites) and spread her giant blowout diaper all over our (white) carpeted stairs. Crappy start to the weekend. Hahaha! Thanks for the review. I'm at the point where I need to be testing things out to see what works. Great to hear you had a good experience!
I like shot blocks but they stick in my teeth. Did the GU version do that too? Its hard to run while picking your teeth 🙁
I have never tried those…I will have to give them a whirl.Hope your kids are feeling better soon! When mine get a cough, they also cough until they throw up…yuck!
Hope the little one feels better soon. As I slowly head toward longer runs I plan on trying chomps or something like them. Thanks for the review.
I've got a pack of strawberry Gu Chomps just waiting to be tried out. After reading your review, I can't wait!Hope the boys get better soon and good luck on the run this weekend!
hope you all feel better soon. Its so hard to be a mom when under the weather. I tried the chomps today! I tried the blueberry pomegranate and really like them too.
Whoa, I just realized Glaven came out of hiding!!! Great review for the chomps, I like them a lot too! Sounds like you're getting the same weather we are!! Rain all weekend 🙁
I ♥ GU Chomps! I've had the Blueberry and Orange flavors, but haven't tried the ones you had yet. I agree 100% with your "pros and cons" about them. I can never seem to open the package while I'm running, so I usually open it beforehand. I squeeze the bottom of the package to get the last 1 or 2 out and into my mouth.
I am going to try those chomps, the gels gave me a belly ache too!!Hope you feel better, and the rain stops!!