GU Energy Original Sports Nutrition Energy Gel, 24-Count, Assorted Indulgent Flavors

I use gels for every race and for time trial workouts. Only use ones with caffeine to get that extra pop. Tried these and it was like WOW. You can feel the pep...like jet fuel vs diesel compared to my other gels. Highly recommend. Costs more, but not a deal breaker.

For intermediate to long runs, I always start first thing in the morning and before breakfast. I find that morning runs that start with an energy gel go much better than an empty tank, but doesnt weigh me down like a full breakfast. You definitely need water when trying to down the thick paste, however. Its like super viscous brownie batter. The taste is good enough. Youre not going to be jonesing for an energy gel snack any time soon, but youre not grossed out by the flavor.

My son says these are great for an on the go pick me up. They are less expensive when we buy these in bulk from here.

Consistently work for fuel for long runs, no stomach upset and I like the caffeine options.

I’m pretty bad at fueling during my long runs and usually procrastinate until I crash. I did an impromptu marathon without running longer than 12 miles in months. I drank a pedialyte the night before as recommended & started fueling around 5 miles. The first GU I took was without caffeine, then every thirty minutes or so I consumed the Espresso Love flavor GU (which has 40g caffeine). I sucked on it over a period of miles (with sips of water) until I finished it. I had 5 or 6 GU’s total for my marathon. I never crashed or hit a wall, although I was running with a friend for their first marathon so I was going slower than usual. I never had GI issues, I believe because I took these slowly. I also alternated between Gatorade & water at the aid stations, focusing more on water because I figured I was getting enough from my GU’s. I’m not a fan of the fruity flavors but I’ll be buying cases of the Espresso Love flavor. I believe they were a big factor in making this marathon go perfectly.

My favorite gel during Ironman & marathon

When I was in college forever ago, I worked nights at a now defunct sporting goods store that sold Gu. I loved them so much to help give me a boost of energy to push through 2 jobs and a full time course load. I was so surprised when i came across them on Amazon, 2 kids and a lot of big training goals later. I hoped and hoped they tasted as good as they did back in my college days, and they did not dissapoint. I love how every flavor is still super sweet like frosting with such a little amount of sugar. They still taste great and provide sustained energy with no jitters. As a bonus, I absolutely love that they are thicker and less runny now then they were back then. They are so much easier and less messy to eat. In these crazy times, its good to know that you can still rely on Gu.

I have trained for 3 marathons. ABSOLUTELY LOVE THESE THINGS. I cant handle the vanilla or any other flavor but this mint one. They boost my energy and keep me running. Store easily in my water belt and I also sometimes tuck them in my bra strap. If you are a runner, you know what places we can fit things. Tear open easily while Im running, even with sweaty hands (I dont stop to open them). Cant rave enough about how great these things are. I know there are a lot of different types of energy gel brands, but if you are trying one out for the first time, try these!

I have always been a gym person, not rat worthy or commercial beautified hard body, but these really get me through a workout and I dont have a lingering delayed onset muscle soreness anymore, which is why I use these every time I hit the gym regardless of workout intensity. The only thing I had to get past was my friend ruined these for me, but saying theyre like thick snot consistency. True theyre gooey as the name implies, but not boogie gross! Lol. I wouldnt go to the gym if I forgot one and I love the variety pack because its cheaper to buy in bulk. No science there.

These things are fantastic. My wife and I carried several of them with us when we ran our first half marathon, and Im convinced there were times that these were the only things keeping us going. The flavors are great, personally I like the chocolate and coffee flavors best but my wife loved the caramel and vanilla so everyones happy! This pack came with a ton of them too, we carried quite a few with us to the half marathon and there were a lot left over so I took some to work to get me through night shift. These little guys pack quite a punch, and I was surprised by how much energy I got from one little pouch, and the energy didnt wear off too fast either. Highly recommended for runners or anyone living on caffeine and looking for a better alternative to guzzling energy drinks all night when youre too tired to be operating heavy machinery but still are expected to do so.