I Roc(tane)-You can too!

I have been a big fan of GU Energy Labs for quite some time and just this year started using GU's Roctane as part of my training nutrition plan while training for my first half Ironman.

My bowl of GU LOVE

Now I am sure you are wondering what is the difference between regular GU gel and GU Roctane right?

Well, I think this excerpt from GU's website explains it very well:

Let’s paint a picture here – you’ve been training and racing for years now. You’ve got general endurance nutrition nailed and you know what power intervals do for you. You stay away from junk food unless it’s after an Ironman in which case you may consume a truckload. Bricks have become fun and you’ve rationalized a training schedule that should get you committed to an asylum, or therapy, or both. And you know what wires get crossed in your brain after 10 hours in the saddle or on the trail, and what the effects are on those around you – or the voices you hear from imaginary people… So where do you go from here?


We created the first gel in the early 90‘s and hopefully that has helped you progress in your racing career. But at this point you’ve got all the low hanging endurance nutrition fruit picked which means that recovery, both during and after the effort, is likely your critical training and racing challenge. Recovery after a workout or race may be coming along nicely. But how about active recovery during the race or workout? That’s a lot tougher to get right. That’s why we took the original GU Energy Gel and cranked the dial on all the good stuff, especially what you need to recover en route.



OKG is an amino acid complex that inhibits the body’s tendency to break down muscle fiber while also inhibiting tissue damage. This is critical when training and racing for multiple hours. In ultra-distance events, delaying fatigue is the name of the game. So that’s why OKG is in Roctane. You’ll also find histidine which slows down the nasty effects of acid build up in the muscles. Oh, and there’s a ton of other ingredients to help with ultra distance events:


•More branch chain amino acids – limits production of serotonin to lessen fatigue and increase mental focus.

•More citrates – speeds the conversion of carbs into energy. That’s really good at hour 8.


So less fatigue, delayed acid build up, more focus, faster energy conversion, and delayed muscle tissue breakdown – all things that make a difference in ultra endurance events. If you are doing shorter, less severe efforts there are other gels and chewables in the GU lineup to support your goals, namely the original Energy Gel and Chomps. But if you are going long, go with Roctane.

I have to say that training for a half-iron distance has been so much fun and I have been using Roctane the entire time and I have yet to have a bad workout...until yesterday.

While sitting there trying to analyze what went WRONG with yesterday's brick, it hit me.
It was the first time I was doing a workout longer than 90 minutes that I did not use Roctane. SERIOUSLY!!

I used another gel product that I had on hand in my bike pack as I forgot to grab some GU Roctane heading out the door. Remember that GI pain, bloated feeling I had during yesterday's run? Ummmm, yup. Epic fail.

Lesson Learned.
GU recently launched a new Roctane flavor-Chocolate Raspberry.

I have been using Cherry Lime (definitely my favorite!), Blueberry Pomegranate (very good!) and Pineapple (awesome!) so when I got the Chocolate Raspberry flavor I was a little unsure. I did not think I would be a fan of a chocolate flavored gel-I know that when it is 90* and humid, I'm working hard and needing a boost, a sticky sweet chocolate flavor is the last thing I want. BUT, I was actually surprised at how good the Chocolate Raspberry was! Not toooo sweet with a refreshing berry flavor--it reminded me of my favorite truffles!


I have even tossed a couple in the freezer for a bit before heading out on hot days-and by the time I am Re-Roc'ing they are nice and cool. A great treat while out on a hot day.

So I am going to keep rockin' the Roctane and training hard for Timberman! The super awesome folks at Outside PR want you to Roctane too so they will hook one lucky Miles Muscles & Mommyhood reader with their own GU package.
How do you enter to win this fabulous GU Energy Labs package?

You MUST be a follower of my blog. Not a follower? Easy-just click the FOLLOW button to the right side of the screen. Once you have done that you can enter several ways.
Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.

1) Check out the GU Energy Labs website -  tell me how you are fueling your long workouts and how would GU Roctane help you? What Roctane flavor would you most like to try? What other GU product do you find intriguing?

2) Like GU Energy Labs on Facebook.

3) Follow GU Energy Labs on Twitter! Tweet about this contest and please include @milesmusclesmom and @GUEnergyLabs in your tweet.

4) Spread the word about this giveaway! Link on your blog, share on Facebook, etc.

5) Tell me your worst BONK story!!

I will accept entries for this contest until Sunday, July 31st at midnight. One random winner will be selected and announced shortly after that date.

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY TRAINING!

The GU products review on my blog were given to me. All opinions expressed here are my own and were not influenced in any way, shape or from by GU Energy Labs or Outside PR.