Tuesday, July 19, 2011

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.











98 comments:

Stacey L said...

Long workouts really arent happening this season but would definately like to try the Roctane! The vanilla orange or cherry lime sound good!

Stacey L said...

Already liked GU on facebook a while ago per your suggestion!

Stacey L said...

Already follow GU on twitter. Did tweet about the giveaway!

Stacey L said...

Fortunately I dont have a really good "bonk" story. I go out and give what I have to give and no more when racing. I'm happy just racing for the fun of it and am happy being middle of the pack. Its all just for fun for me and dont have the want to make it like a job where I have to get in specific workouts or have to have specific times. As long as I'm still smiling at the finish line than I have accomplished my goal!

mainely triathlon said...

I use GU on most of my rides a GU and a date every hr. I am going to try Roctane this weekend on my long ride to Freeport on Saturday, and hopefully a run after.
My story is a common one long ride not enuff fuel and got lost. I was going to do 3hr and did 4.5, the last hr was the worst time on a bike ever just shear torture!

Kabekona Tri Girl said...

1. I've had Vanilla orange but REALLY want to try cherry lime. I haven't seen all those flavors in my LBS yet, I'll have to get them to order it. Onmy long workouts I usually get 1 rocktane and 1 hammer gel because I have a huge container of hammer at home (my hubby wanted it). And in a race, always buy 1 rocktane for during the bike portion. :)

Kabekona Tri Girl said...

2 I see Jason Gallant also liked them on Facebook, and we both commented that you sent us. :)

Kabekona Tri Girl said...

3. Added a link to your blog on facebook. Can you tell I really want to win this??? (like Stacey L)

Kabekona Tri Girl said...

Bonk story - My husband and I were on a bike ride in Forest Lake, MN. We got going late, so it was in the 90s, hot, humid and sunny. I didn't eat enough breakfast and boy did I regret it. Tried to get him to pull our daughter in the Burley, but he was concerned that it would be too much pressure on his brand new Trek Madone 4.5 carbon bike. Therfore I got her on my Trek 1.2 aluminum bike. He's a faster stronger rider than me and it was one tough day. We did all of like 33 miles? He kept getting rest waiting for me too, so had so much energy. He gave me his Gu gel, but at that point it wasn't enough. IT was all I could do to get back to the car, I think I averaged 9 mph or so on the way back. he STILL didn't take the Burley and went on ahead and was going to drive to get me part way, but never showed up. At one point I decided to just stop and rest, and then got going again, at my 9 mph pace. FINALLY made it back to the car, but man that ride sucked tail.

Anonymous said...

I've never successfully been able to fuel my runs until I recently started using Roctane (no kidding!) and GU Brew Electrolyte tablets, I can't tell you how amazing I am feeling all the time, and now I take two ROCTANE on my long run (before and during) and have NEVER felt so strong at the end!

Anonymous said...

I linked your giveaway on my blog sidebar.

Unknown said...

i've been using GU on my longer rides so far, still trying to get down the timing :) would love to try the cherry lime!!

Penny said...

I fuel with powerbar and gu gels. I would use Roctane to give me that extra boost i have been looking for my LR. I would like to try the CHOC RASPBERRY. I also would like to try the Recovery brew.

Penny said...

like gu lab on fb and left message

Penny said...

shared on my fb

Penny said...

linked on my sidebar of my blog

Jeanette said...

Currently I drink water and use the GU energy gels. I think the GU Roctane Gels could take my energy level to the next level and helpe me push myself even more.
I would like to try the Vanilla Orange & Cherry Lime

Jeanette said...

Liked GU on facebook

Jeanette said...

I tweeted about the giveaway! https://twitter.com/#!/JHooker517/status/93410832221863936

I am following you both on twitter @jhooker517

Jeanette said...

I posted the giveaway on my blog, www.jaihook.blogspot.com. I am doing my first giveaway too so stop by and enter.

Jeanette said...

I dont have any BONK stories yet.

Unknown said...

following you both already, and tweeted! @tri2cook

Lucy said...

Right now, I'm just using regular Gu during my long runs. I'm a huge fan of the Espresso Love flavor.

Lucy said...

I already Like Gu on FB

Anonymous said...

I usually fuel with Gu Chomps...I think I would like the cherry lime or chocolate raspberry flavors

Anonymous said...

I like them on facebook

Anonymous said...

I follow them on twitter and tweeted the giveaway

Anonymous said...

I also posted a link to this giveaway on facebook

Anonymous said...

My worst bonk story was probably after my first half marathon...I just didn't fuel properly (didn't know any better) and I think I drank too much water. After the race I got a terrible headache, felt nauseous, and could barely move...since I just layed still (and couldn't stretch) I was super sore for days. I learned my lesson and now I know I need my electrolytes!!!

keyalus said...

I've recently been giving gels another try and my favorite so far is the Cherry Lime Roctane. I find that I like the Roctane better than the regular GU on my super long runs. Maybe its the caffeine?

keyalus said...

Liked GU on FB and wrote on their wall.

keyalus said...

Following GU on Twitter and tweeted a message.

Tri4Success said...

Already a follower. My long workouts tend to be fueled by Hammer Heed in the bottle and GU Blackberry Jet gels. Roctane flavors I'd try are Blueberry Pomegranate and Cherry Lime.

Tri4Success said...

Already like GU on FB.

Tri4Success said...

Bonk story: I went on a group ride with my new road bike (at the time). This would be my first real ride on a road bike ever. The group was made up of the usual race-pace guys but this was supposed to be a more relaxed afternoon ride. One mile in I was huffing and puffing. 3 miles in I was getting dropped regularly. After about 10mi I completely hit the wall. At the time, I was comfortable with 40+mi rides but I was toast on this day. A rider dropped back to check on me. I let him know it was my first road bike ride and he jokingly asked me if "I got the kind with gears." I responded, "I sure hope so. I got it from your store!" He gave me a gel and we took a "short cut" back to the shop. That route included a couple hills and in the end I still got 33mi in. To this day, I recall my hill climbing while bonked and know that I can make it up anything I come across.

Lucy said...

I follow GU on Twitter

Lucy said...

Tweeted it

Lucy said...

Added it to my blog

Unknown said...

I have never tried GU of any kinda and on my longest workout I usually used jelly beans, I have wanted to try GU but have been afraid of not liking it.

Unknown said...

already liked GU on FB

Unknown said...

tweeted about this

Unknown said...

added to my blog sidbar @ runnermaybe.blogspot.com

~K~ said...

So my "long" workouts are still only about 6.5 miles so I'm a water drinker...and sometimes a Gatorade. However, with all the extra sweating going on w/ the heat wave, i've wondered if i should be fueling with more. I think the cherry lime sounds best..and maybe the island nectars.

~K~ said...

i already liked 'em on fb but said ya sent me over

~K~ said...

worst bonk story? Not sure i have one...but then again, i don't do long distances. My worst stories are more the time i made it as far as 11 miles but hurt my foot doing so and couldn't run for a few weeks and was afraid my running career was over, etc etc.

Ellen Holley said...

Since it's like blistering hot out right now, I'm not running any longer than 3 or 4 miles at a time. So endurance and energy really aren't an issue for me. However, recovery is! ! ! I'd love to try the Strawberry Watermelon Recovery Brew.

Ellen Holley said...

I already like Gu on facebook but I left a message anyway :-)

Ellen Holley said...

I am following Gu on twitter already

Ellen Holley said...

I tweeted about the giveaway!

Running With The Girls said...

I like GU Energy Labs on FB.

Running With The Girls said...

I will totally use the GU for my marathon training!

Running With The Girls said...

I follow GU on Twitter!

Running With The Girls said...

I posted the contest on my blog!

KT80 said...

I'm a follower!

KT80 said...

I followed them on FB.

Holly said...

Following your blog.

Holly said...

Already follow GU on Twitter.

Holly said...

Liking them on FB.

Holly said...

I would love some GU Jet Blackberry because of the 2x caffeine!

Holly said...

I've bonked too many times to remember. I just know on several occasions I have gone out for a run in say July or August at like 11 a.m.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

You get out there and 1/2 mile in you are BONKED.

Holly said...

Tweeting it out right now.

@HFHammers

Finallyfit2011 said...

I'm a follower!

Finallyfit2011 said...

As of yet I have not done any super long runs yet! My longest has been 5+. I still use the GU to help me through my tough Wed. a.m. track workouts & my regular runs. I would love to try the choc. raspberry! Also the recovery drink looks good!

Finallyfit2011 said...

I like GU on facebook & told them you sent me.

Finallyfit2011 said...

Following on Twitter & tweeted your giveaway!

Finallyfit2011 said...

Posted giveaway to my blog!

Finallyfit2011 said...

Posted to facebook!

Adina said...

I love Roctane! Whenever I "savor" one, I think to myself, "Initiating rocket sequence" or something geeky like that! I usually save it for race day b/c it IS so much more expensive. LOVE the pineapple.

Adina said...

I already "like" GU on FB!

Adina said...

Thanks to GU, I really don't have a great bonk story! :) It's perfect when all else fails.

Adina said...

Posted to FB!

Adina said...

I don't tweet, but if I did, I'd tweet you!

msamson814 said...

I use hammer gel normally but i tried the choc rasp and really liked it.

L'Averie said...

I am new to using gels so no bonk stories yet but I am hoping that if I win this giveaway I won't have ANY...

L'Averie said...

I would like to try the Island Nectar or Pineapple flavors in Roctane. I would also like to try the Brew

Crystal said...

like gu on fb

Crystal said...

new follower

Crystal said...

shared on my blog

Crystal said...

i love the mint chocolate and the chocolate outrage, can't wait to try the chocolate raspberry!

Crystal said...

Riding my bike last october. it wasn't hot but not too bad, made it half way and was on the return way home. i got light headed, felt dizzy. had to stop for about 10 minutes before it went away. water didnt help. really thought my riding partner was going to have to ride back and get the car to come get me.

Unknown said...

I fuel my long workouts with Gu Chocolate Outrage. I just tried the Chocolate Raspberry Roctane for my last marathon and it gave me the kick I needed just when I needed it, and it didn't taste bad. I would like to try the Pineapple Roctane next.

Unknown said...

I already liked Gu on Facebook, but left a comment that I was sent by you! =)

Unknown said...

My worst bonk ever was my last marathon. I did everything I normally do, same breakfast, same nutrition throughout the race. But, the key difference was I'm used to Gatorade and the electrolyte beverage they were serving was VERY low calorie. Probably should've trained with that. Cause, I was CRAZY hungry for TEN miles. seriously. I kept taking my Gu, but I had to stop at every aid station and grab a handful of pretzels and oranges so that I could keep moving. It was ridiculous. I still PR'd in a HUGE way - 31 minutes off my previous best, but I know that if I hadn't been so hungry I would've done much better. Lesson learned, train with electrolyte beverage they are serving on the course, and figure out a way to carry a couple extra GUs, just in case! =)

runninglawyer said...

I LOVE Gu, especially their jet blackberry flavour - and I'm dying to try the island nectar roctane!

runninglawyer said...

I like GU on FB!

runninglawyer said...

I follow GU on Twitter!

runninglawyer said...

My only real bonk story was my first half marathon when it was drastically hotter than expected, and I did not fuel every 45 minutes as I should have. Took me 2:45 to finish, and by the end I was staggering. Couldn't even bend down to take off my chip. Trying to not repeat this in September when I go for my second half!

Unknown said...

new follower of you - and I like Gu Energy Labs on FB!!

Unknown said...

I follow @GUEnergyLabs on twitter and tweeted this giveaway (w/ @milesmusclesmom)

Unknown said...

I linked to this giveaway in my blog!

Unknown said...

My worst BONK story would have to be during my first leg of the 13 Relay (Easton to Cape Cod) this past May....I had an energy crash after only the first 2 miles of a 5 miler because I hadn't properly fueled/hydrated...it was a little disheartening to crash so bad, when I knew I was letting my teammates down and I was only one leg into the 3 relay legs I was responsible for!

Unknown said...

Currently I am fueling for my long runs with Clifbar gels and Clifbar shot bloks, but I am running low and have some Gu gels in the pantry waiting to save the day! Roctane would help fuel me for my next 12 weeks of marathon training for my first 26.2, when I don't know what to expect energy-wise on those longer runs! Island Nectars Roctane looks pretty interesting, have you had a chance to try that one?! I also think the electrolyte brew blueberry pomegranite looks like it would be great for liquid fueling in the summer heat!

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

I like Gu on FB

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

i follow them on twitter and tweeted the giveaway

scissorbill said...

I use a competitor's gel but am interested to try Roctane since I'm a slow runner and my marathon will take me over five hours. The orange vanilla sounds good to me!

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to trying the Chocolate Raspberry and I really like the watermelon chomps!

Unknown said...

I don't have a good bonk story either but I can say that I have always felt better after a GU break!

Unknown said...

I follow GU on facebook!