gel taste test

One of my running necessities is the energy gel. I always pack one for runs of 8 miles or longer. These are basically little packets of carbs, electrolytes, protein, nutrients etc that your muscles need to keep going. The actual formula varies by manufacturer, but they're all basically the same. I don't know everything about the science behind it, but what I do know is that it works. And it works pretty quickly. There are other things out there like jelly beans and gum, but I think the gel is the most effective. I also try to get the gels without caffeine. Caffeine gives me a headache and it also can dehydrate you.

The only bad thing about the gels is that they have a very funky texture and sometimes a very strange taste. And there are so many kinds, it can be daunting figuring out which flavors are actually going to taste good. So I thought I'd let you all in on which gels I've actually enjoyed slurping down this year. The last thing you want to do on a long run is gag because the gel tastes so bad. (which I have done...keep reading.)

PowerBar

Haha, I like their picture! So intense! I think out of all the gels, this one is my favorite. Especially the Plain Energy flavor, which I can't even really describe. But it's really tasty. The texture is not too thick, not too thin. Goes down easily! I've also tried the Green Apple and Vanilla. Green Apple has caffeine in it, and I could tell the difference. I was more alert for the last half of my run, but I also had a headache afterwards! :(

Accel Gel

I really like the Accel Gel. I'd say it's my 2nd favorite. These gels work pretty fast and they don't taste too bad. The texture is more fluid than gel. My favorite flavor is the citrus orange. The strawberry kiwi is ok, but it kind of tastes like yogurt to me, and when it gets hot on the run, it's kind of a gross sensation to be slurping down something like hot yogurt. So I would stick with the citrus orange here. I have not tried chocolate yet...chocolate and running just don't go together for me.

GU energy

GU gels are interesting because they have a lot of protein & other nutrients...more than a lot of other gels. However, I didn't really like the flavor as much as some of the others I've tried. Plus, it seemed just about the same in effectiveness. I tried the lemon sublime, and it was pretty good. They have a really wide variety of flavors as well. I'll probably try more in the future.


Clif Shot gel

YUCK. I do not like Clif's Shot gels. I tried the vanilla flavor. It was really thick and looked like poop when it came out of the wrapper. It stinks because out of all the gels, I thought I wanted to like Clif the best, because it's all natural/organic and sustainably-produced. But yuck. I gagged while trying to slurp it down, because I couldn't slurp it down. It was so solid. And the taste, I could barely stomach it. But I have to say, even though I hated it, I might try again, but a different flavor. I think apple pie and mango sound really good...maybe vanilla was just too earthy of a flavor.

So those are all the gels I've tried this year...there are more out there, so maybe I'll have an update next year. And let me know if there are any gels/other forms of energy that you recommend!

this Congress is failing me

So in my previous post, I mentioned opening the floor to contributors...here is the first! Surprise, it's Ryan. (probably not much of a surprise, hehe) but if you read this, and in reading my posts have something you really want to share (that is too long or involved to be a "comment"), then forward it on to me and you may just see it posted here.

Here we have Ryan's letter that he recently sent to newspapers, congressmen(&women) and Pres. Bush:

I support the Republican Party's general plan to address the energy crisis.

It is outrageous that the congress would break for its 5 week August break without first addressing the issues that are hammering our country into a recession. It is irresponsible for the Democratic Congress, lead by the lackadaisical, self seeking Nancy Pelosi, to walk out on this issue. For whatever reason, the face that Congresswoman Pelosi believes that Congress "deserves" this break is simply sad.

Offshore drilling has been banned for many years. While the dangers to the environment still exist, oil companies have made leaps and bounds in progress on how to prevent issues from popping up and damaging the environment.

On top of the ludicrous idea that we should abandon offshore drilling, we're facing more and more pressure from oil speculators. Rampant speculation in the commodities futures market is driving up prices out of proportion to marketplace demands. The problem is speculators are increasingly buying and selling commodities such as oil even though they have no intention of using the product. The unregulated speculators are pocketing billions of dollars at our expense. The cost of food has gone
up, the price at the pump has gone way up, and I'm already concerned about how much more it will cost to heat my home this winter.

To lower oil prices for all Americans we need to increase domestic supply (that's right, increase), exploration, alternative energy sources and conservation. We also must protect bona fide speculation and hedging.

It is with a heavy heart that I say that this Congress is failing me, a voter, in its attempt to actually care about domestic issues. It is my understanding that this Congress has passed fewer bills than any Congress in the history of America. It's nice to know that Congress can take a 5 week vacation from work while all of America reconsiders their personal vacations after the rising cost of fuel has made it tough to take one.

If we don't learn to rely on domestic supply, our American tax dollars and our hard earned paychecks will keep going to overseas OPEC nations that in return are buying up American land and businesses. Please keep America for Americans and help us be self-reliant.

In closing, I would hope that if recalled by President Bush, Congress would take the initiative to care about what matters to America, care about the big issue looming in front of us, and care about the one thing that will shape the future of our economy for years to come. I hope that Congress does not spend too much time wondering why it has a pathetic 9% approval rating, when it's so very clear to all of us.

Ryan Duckworth
Atlanta, GA

just the facts

Why aren't we drilling in ANWR?

Real & Fake energy proposals - you decide.

And according to the Institute for Energy Research...
Q: Can and should energy be produced in both NPR-A and ANWR's 1002 area?
A: Yes.

Interesting stuff!

p.s. what a funny widget on the IER homepage - countdown til the congressional offshore ban expires.

p.p.s. I am now a big fan of Sarah Palin. Her well-written post on Sen. John Cornyn's blog is a must read!