As a distance runner I am always looking for the best way to fuel my run, but in the past I have had a lot of bad experiences. I started out trying sports beans since I have texture issues and the thought of anything named a Gu made my stomach turn. Unfortunately, my stomach didn’t like the beans any better. Within 5 to 10 minutes of taking them I would start to get a stomachache and they felt like a rock in my gut. I then moved on to gummies and while they didn’t give me any stomach issues I found it a bit difficult to breathe while chewing them and they took way too long to eat. Here enters Island Boost!
While the packaging looks a lot like all the Gus and gels out there, their consistency is quite a bit different, which was a huge plus for me! The main thing contributing to the consistency difference is coconut water! That’s right there is coconut water in the fuel so there is no need to chase it down with a bunch of water. I found this to also be a big plus because too much water tends to make me feel sluggish.
Here are some things from the Island Boost website that they wants us to remember about their product:
- Faster fuel formulated with glucose, the fastest energy source that is absorbed into the bloodstream quicker to fuel muscles
- No need to drink a bottle of water to dissolve the carbohydrates, they’re readily absorbed via the coconut water
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors and shelf stable for a year
- Vegan and gluten free
- Delicious frozen for those runs on hot days
My initial reaction was that I loved that it was a liquid, but I didn’t love the taste. I am pretty sure this is because I don’t like coconut water. I wish I did, I know it’s great for me, but I just don’t like it. It wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t get it down, and if you like coconut water I am sure you would like it a lot more then I did.
I have to say I was a little unsure if it would work and if it would be able to get me through a 6 mile run so I brought the strawberry-orange one along just in case. I am happy to report that I did just fine and did not need any additional fuel on my run.
I look forward to trying the other 2 flavors on future runs and seeing if I can find one that I like a little better than the one I tried today.
What are your “go to” race day breakfast and fuel choices?
(Disclaimer: I was provided with samples for the purpose of providing a review on my blog but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own)
I've tried Island Boost the past two weeks on my 6 milers (at the highway point) and I think it helped a little bit. I don't know that there's enough carbs in there though to fuel me for a half marathon, and there's no protein either (which is something I like in my fuel choices). I also had a hard time actually drinking the stuff - maybe I just have a "Drinking" problem :)
ReplyDelete:) I liked the idea of drinking it, but I didn't like the flavor. I think I want to try pocketfuel next. I like idea of having actual food. Although the almond butter makes me worry it might be a bit dry/ hard to swallow, but I like almond butter. ;)
DeleteI used a baby food packet at my last half and it helped some, but not enough. A big problem I tend to have is that I get hungry and it distracts me. Like stomach growling hungry!
I placed the Island Boost in 4 oz. of water to get it down. I like the concept of the product, but the taste and I didn't hit it off at first. With a little bit of water, it was perfect. No stomach problems and it lasted through my 20 mile ride just fine.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! I will try that this weekend!
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