Date: Monday, December 18, 2023

Workout: TZC Purpose Run - 1 Hour / 7ish Miles / 8:27 Pace / 152 Avg HR

Fuel Source: Gu Caffeinated Energy Gel, Cola Flavor

Shoes: Asics Novablast 4

The weather was perfect, 55 degrees F and sunny skies- couldn't ask for much better for the middle of December in Texas. I had a planned 1 hour purpose run on the training plan which was perfect for putting some more miles into the Asics Novablast 4s. (YouTube Shoe Review video: https://youtu.be/SxrGDKr2MZo?si=Le6KCTAySQXPX6ui )

Before heading out I reached into my box of gels, chews and other running fuel and left it up to the universe to give me something good. When I opened my hand I had the Gu Caffeinated Energy Gel- Cola Flavor in my hand. I have to admit, I was pretty excited about it. If you know me, I typically treat myself to a Mini Coca-Cola after a speedwork or long run, there's just something about the Cola flavor that tastes rewarding.

I left the gel and soft flask of water on my front porch and planned on stopping by about 30 minutes into my run to take the gel. As planned, I completed the zig zag laps through the back of my neighborhood and got to my front porch just shy of 30 minutes.

With the cold sweat of anticipation trickling down my spine, I ripped off the top and encountered a gooey, gelatinous blob that somewhat resembled cola. I have to admit, it didn't quite resemble the fizzy goodness I was expecting. But you know what they say, never judge an energy gel by its jelly-like appearance!

Bracing myself, I courageously slurped a dollop of this cola-infused marvel. And, OMFG let me tell you – it elicited a reaction that could have easily won me an Oscar for Best Actor in a Comedy. My taste buds embarked on a chaotic rollercoaster ride, oscillating between confusion and disbelief- this tasted nothing like Cola and the gel was, THICK.

Sure, the first taste threw me a curveball. It was a wave of flavors, twisting and turning like a confused Chihuahua trying to grab its tail. But with each subsequent gulp I could feel my cheeks begin to puff out more and my throat resisting the gel. I was hoping my palate would grow accustomed to the texture but it just didn't happen. I have never been so happy to have a bottle of water handy and I needed it to dilute the gel enough to swallow it.

But here comes the best part: as the caffeinated magic worked its way through my veins, I transformed into an unstoppable force of energy.  I was bouncing down the road and before I knew it I was pacing way too fast for today's planned run.

As I look back on today's run I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Something that literally made me feel like I was going to vomit would give me the energy boost that I didn't know I needed or wanted.  Gu Cola Flavored Energy Gel – the secret ingredient for aspiring speedsters.

So if given the choice, Would I Eat It or Would I Yeet It? If the length & intensity of my planned run only required 1 gel AND this was the ONLY gel available, I'd Eat It! But in all other scenarios, this totally gets Yeeted into oblivion! It took work for me to swallow this one and I'm already working hard while running so the idea of doing more work isn't super intriguing to me. Goodby Gu Cola Flavored Energy Gel- I'll stick with my post run mini can of Coca-Cola.

#TrueZoneCoaching #RunningCoach #GuEnergyGels #EatItorYeetIt #MarathonTraining #HalfMarathonTraining #TriathlonTraining #UltraMarathonTraining #Running #McKinney