It’s Friday, so that means I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness. Today’s topic is running and fitness fuel/hydration products.
Before I started training for the Chicago Marathon, I knew I wanted to experiment with a few different fueling and hydration options while training. Nothing was necessarily wrong with the products I was currently using, but I wanted to if other products might work better for me. As I’m currently in week 13 of training, I’ve had a lot of time to try a few different products. Here are a few of my favorites!
Big thanks to Wendy for introducing me to this product! The most important feature for me is that Tailwind is complete nutrition – fuel, hydration, and electrolytes – all wrapped up into one. No need for gels or chews with this product. It dissolves very quickly and I enjoyed all of the flavors I sampled. My favorite flavor is green tea and as a bonus, it contains caffeine. The product is gluten free and vegan and it was very easy on my stomach. I tried the stick packs and ended up drinking a little bit before my long run, and then taking sips at every mile. I ran out of Tailwind during one of my long runs, so you may need more than one stick pack for a marathon.
I have to say thank you to Rachel for sending me a few of these gels earlier this summer! I’m a huge fan of chia seeds so I was very excited to try these gels. These gels have ground chia seeds which provide a steady release of energy. I usually take in a gel slowly over a 10 minute period.
I first tried Run Gum last year and loved it. Run Gum is caffeinated gum that is sugar and gluten free and has zero calories. This past weekend I spent the first few miles of my long run chewing on the gum and I think it really gave me a nice boost, especially at 5:30 in the morning, lol. I’ve also popped a piece of this gum in the middle of a run and it was a complete lifesaver! The heat and humidity can really suck all of my energy, so I’m always appreciative of anything that will give me a boost of energy.
I’ve been a fan of honey stinger products for a few years. Their waffles are great to eat pre-run. Their gels and chews are great to have during a run as well. I’ve actually used their chews to power through hard spinning classes as well. Many of their gels and chews are organic, gluten and dairy free.
Nuun is packed with electrolytes and uses clean ingredients. In full disclosure I noticed that last year my stomach was not loving Nuun for some reason. After some trial and error, I noticed that some of the flavors work better for my stomach than others. Watermelon, strawberry lemonade and fruit punch seem to be the current winners. Nuun tablets dissolve pretty quickly and the flavors that I like aren’t overly sweet, so the taste is great! I’m also a huge fan of their Nuun Vitamins and Performance products as well.
What are your favorite running fuel and hydration products?
Zenaida Arroyo says
I like Nuun, Tailwind, and Huma gels. Have you tried the ones with sea salt? Those are yummy too! Bummer that Generation UCAN didn’t work out for you.
kookyrunner says
I haven’t tried the ones with seal salt yet – that’s next on my list!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
I’m all about my sports beans. They have served me well for years!
kookyrunner says
You’re the second person to mention that so I’ll have to check them out!
Cyndi says
I need to try the Tailwind. I like the idea of having the fuel, hydration, and electrolytes all in one! Honey Stinger Gold gel works well for me. The run gum is a good concept, although I don’t think I can run and chew gum!
kookyrunner says
It really is an all-in-one product and I liked all of the flavors that I tried, but the green tea was my favorite!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I think I have a sample of that gum somewhere. I’ll have to try it next weekend!
kookyrunner says
Definitely try it out and let me know what you think!
Chaitali says
I love nuun. I keep hearing about tailwind so I may need to give that one a try. You mix it with your water?
kookyrunner says
Yup, you just mix Tailwind with water. It’s really dissolves fast too.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
I love both Huma & Honeystinger. I prefer to take in a little every mile, and don’t really like gel flasks, and that’s why I no longer use gels.
Although Honeystinger waffles are really good with some gel on them, too!
kookyrunner says
Yeah the gels are tricky! I used to devout the whole thing in like a minute but my stomach was not a fan of that at all!
Jessica @ Fit Talker says
I just came across your blog and based on the races you’ve run, i’m pretty sure we live near each other, which is kind of cool. I’m in Norwalk.
Your fuel post came at a good time because I’m picking up some fuel tonight as we just hit runs long enough to need fuel and I have nothing at the house.
Will definitely consider some you mentioned above, so thanks!
For short races I like extreme sport beans beforehand. For longer runs, in the past I went with the Gu Chews or Honeystinger gels…or other stuff with caffeine. π
kookyrunner says
Hi Jessica! Yes, we are very close as I’m in Stamford π
I have never tried sport beans before but I could see that being great to use before a race. I hope to run into you ar a local race sometime π
Anna @ Piper's Run says
I’m a fan of Nuun, Gu’s and Honey stinger chews. However, I also have been taking my kids “fruit to go” bars on my runs and they are perfect pick me up towards the end of my run. I’ve never hear of hΓΌma before!
kookyrunner says
Oh that’s a great idea! I never thought os using fruit to go
Darlene says
I have tailwind but haven’t tried it. I stick to water.
I just listened to a podcast about the guy who started Run gum. I wonder if I can run and chew???
kookyrunner says
I was nervous about running and chewing gum but you get used to it quickly!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
I never have tried tail wind but my roommate swears by it. I love my Nuun and recently found it on sale at a store so i pretty much bought the rests of the shelf.
kookyrunner says
It’s always great when you can find products you love on sale!
Rachel says
Yay, I’m glad you like the Huma gels! They’re delicious, aren’t they? Just don’t sit so well in my gut. π
kookyrunner says
So far so good on the Huma gels!
kookyrunner says
They are super tasty!
Megan @ Meg Go Run says
I tried Honey Stinger waffles once and they were SO GOOD. I would get them, they’re just so expensive! I’m not much of a gum chewer during my runs, but I do like pregaming with iced coffee!
kookyrunner says
They are really good and some of the flavors aren’t that sweet which is easier on my tummy π
Coco says
Nuun is my favorite! I like Honeystingers too. I haven’t managed to get used to gels.
kookyrunner says
I think the gels are an acquired taste!
Kimberly Hatting says
I have tried all of these but the Huma gels…they sound tempting! I tried (desperately) to like Nuun, but the fizziness just wasn’t my thing (though I did like the flavors). Tailwind worked great, but was too much hydration (believe it or not LOL). The Run Gum…total winner!! The HS gels don’t give me tummy distress like other brands do, so I use them frequently.
kookyrunner says
I can understand what you mean about the fizziness for Nuun – it takes a while to get used to. I used Run Gum again today on my long run and it really helped me in the beginning miles!
Lesley says
I just stocked up on Nuun today with Vegas training around the corner. I need to get Sport Beans for my longer runs. Since I bonked after mile 5 during my last 10k, I think I do need some fueling options during my run.
kookyrunner says
Always great to have an endless supply of Nuun in the house!
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says
I just ordered the Tailwind to try, I know a lot of people who use it! I will have to check out the gels, they sound great!!
kookyrunner says
It’s really great – you will like it!
Mary Beth Jackson says
We have a lot of the same favorites! I love love that Tailwind!
kookyrunner says
Me too! The flavors are awesome!
vicki says
I really like the huma gels and the performance nuun. I need to try some of that run gum, I chew gum anyway on the run so why not get some energy from it π
kookyrunner says
I tried a sample of the performance Nuun and really enjoyed it!
San says
I love NUUN and I always have ProBAR energy chews on hand. I also snack on string cheese or have a drinkable yogurt before/after workouts.
kookyrunner says
I’ve tried ProBar before and really liked it. I should try it again!