Tuesday, January 13, 2009

My Roctane Review (and 18 miler Run)

I'm a huge fan of Gu. I've been using the Gu product since day 1 of my first marathon training 5 years ago and it has carried me through many miles. Now, when I received the request to review the new Roctane from the makers of Gu, I was totally down! Honestly, I didn't even know Gu was out with a new product. And before I start my review, let me lay down a few facts. First of all, I only use Gu on the long runs over 8 miles. And secondly, since CIM, I really haven't had a chance to do long runs. That is, not until the past couple of weeks. I've used Gu about 5 or 6 times now and feel comfortable reviewing this product. And this past weekend, I ran 18 miles to *really* put Roctane through the test.

Initially, I was planning on doing 20 miles. Not sure what I was thinking considering I hadn't been very consistent with my running during the holidays and the longest distance I've done is about 12 miles. On Saturday morning, my coach from PacWest suggested I do about 16 miles instead. Being over zealous and really wanting to do more, I compromised and settled on 18.

The starting point: Emeryville Marina
View of San Francisco

It was a beatiful day, maybe in the mid 50 degrees and sunny at 9am. Very mild. It did get a little warm at the end but overall, really great weather to run in. I pre-fueled with my usual toast and peanut butter so I didn't feel the need to take a Roctane before the run. But, I did take the first one at mile 5. I was feeling really good. Like previous times I took Roctane, my body reacted really well. It was like I was kicking into second gear and I felt like my engine was really chugging. Around mile 11, I felt my body getting tired and a little hungry. I knew I had to take another Roctane. Should have taken one earlier! (I'm sure you know this already but they recommend washing down Gu or any other energy gel with water. Have you heard of runners with bad teeth because they didn't wash down the gels with water? No thank you, I want healthy teeth. So I usually swish water in my mouth to get the gels down good.) Anyway, back to the review. A little while after I took the Roctane, I felt like my legs had a bit more power and more spring to the steps. Omg, I love this stuff. That one at mile 12 carried me through to the end. I usually end up slowing down on my long runs and average pace is about 10 min miles, if not more. This past weekend, I ran 18 miles at 9:30 pace. And stopped only once to take off my long sleeve top because it got too warm for me. I might run 9 min pace during marathons but my training runs are much more slow! I honestly believe that it was the Roctane that helped me with the consistent running during the 18 miles!

Now, what's different about Roctane from the original Gu? Besides the cooler design on packaging there's MORE caffeine and other goodies! Yes, according to the wegbsite, there are "new ingredients to boost performance in sustained, high-intensity efforts." So you can find more levels of citrate and a new ingredient: Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (OKG) . You can read more about it here. Oh, and thank goodness, still the same calories and carbohydrates. I was afraid that this stuff might have more calories, which I really don't need! They're currently out with two flavors: Blueberry Pomegrate and Vanilla Orange!

Roctane... sounds like something you put in a car, right? Somebody did their job naming this product because I keep thinking Rocking Octane. Or Rocket Fuel... Of course, this product is billed as "Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel: GU to a Higher Power!" Now, I'm not an ultra runner but I'm definitely gonna be using this during my long runs and definitely during my marathon. ;-)

Thanks Outside PR & SportsMarketing for the opportunity to review this great product!

36 comments:

  1. Wow, what a great review, and a great 18 miles!!
    I was looking to add this in between halfs and see if it makes the fueling on the second one ever better, now I will for sure!

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  2. Wow i love the new layout! How did you do it? It looks sweet! Ive never used gu, ive never ran far enough to use it plus i'm scared it will make me sick.... but your review is great :)

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  3. ohh i like the new look!!! very nice :)

    awesome review!! i do like roctane :)

    i really want to go run on that trail one of these weekends SOON! can you send me directions or a link or something? thanks!

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  4. great job on the run and the roctane sounds like a yummy post prego treat for me! yay!!

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  5. You have a new look...I like it!

    Who goes for an 18 mile run for the hell of it? Dang chica, you are hard core =).

    I've been on that trail before, it is really beautiful especially on a day like that!!

    Great review...I may have to give this Roctane stuff a chance on the next go around.

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  6. What an amazing view, especially without snow!! LOL btw, i couldn't get the NIke+ avatar thingy to work on facebook either! Great review on the roctane, i'll have to check for it up here once i start my longer runs again!

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  7. Screw LG - let's go running in your 'hood! It's gorgeous there!

    You're so cool that you get to review stuff! How did they find you? i.e. How do I get people to send ME free stuff???

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  8. I would try those roctane thingies except that I think that I can't because of NCAA drug restrictions lol! Who knows - theres a lot of rules!

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  9. I'll give it a try! Love the new masthead, too.

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  10. Thanks for the review! I'm going to have to try some now. I saw in another post of yours that the Nike Women's Marathon in San Fran is Oct 18. Is this a definite? Browsing through real quickly, I failed to see an official 2009 date. Please let me know, I want to get into this one. nikemomof2[at]gmail[dot]com. Thanks1

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  11. I'm a Hammer Gel girl myself, but I keep hearing good things about this Roctane business. Great review

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  12. Thanks for the review, I will have to try these roctanes!

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  13. Good job on the 18 miler! Wow. I love Gu, if they come out with a chocolate roctane, i'll be sure to stock up! I tried Hammer Gel the other day and it gave me some tummy issues. I could handle it on my bike, but if I were running, i'd definitely be uncomfortable.

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  14. i like the new look! wow, 18 miles- you are awesome! i'm looking forward to hitting that mileage some day. roctane does have a cooler name than gu...

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  15. You rock, Julianne! Way to go with a great training run. I liked Roctane too.

    Your training sounds like it is going well. How about posting what your weekly workouts look like?

    keep up the good work!
    Cynthia

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  16. Great review. I am going to experiment with some gels on my runs. You have been really running strong, keep it up.

    I like the new look too.

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  17. Great review and good job on the 18 miler! I like Gu but I need to stay away from caffeine. If they make it caffeine free I'll try it!

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  18. Another GU fan here. I've been pleased with the Roctane as well. Sounds like they were just right for your 18-miler. Awesome run!

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  19. Really?!? I totally didn't know that little bit about runners having bad teef because of not downing water after gel. I guess it's a good thing that I swish it in my mouth after each packet. Seriously how could you eat that stuff plain and not gag?

    Great review chica! I've heard other peeps say it's worked well for them as well.

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  20. Fantastic 18-miler-- beautiful photos, too (trying to squelch my envy). I've only ever tried Hammer gel and Clif shots, but now I hope I can find some Roctane before my first 16-miler this weekend. Wow! And how come J's comment (about NCAA drug restrictions) made it sound even more appealing? ;)

    b.t.w. is the Achilles tendon thing back to normal? Sounds like it wasn't an issue during the 18-miler-- yay!

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  21. You wanted to see my tattoo, so I took a picture for you!

    http://tiny.cc/mytattoo

    I would love to get it touched up once I get to my goal weight (poor thing got really stretched out when I gained a lot of weight and then lost it) and then I want another star next to it. Though now I think I might like a bunch of start like your friend!

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  22. Wow Julianne, GREAT review, I'll def. have to check this stuff out! :) Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and how much it helped.

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  23. Good review!! I bought a berry flavored one but never used it.. Maybe on my run this weekend?

    Can't wait to meet you next week! :)

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  24. Great review, homeslice. I will check it out.

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  25. Hey Julianne,

    Thanks for such a great Roctane review (and for the shoutout)!

    I just want to point out that, while it is a super-charged gel, Roctane and all Gu products conform with NCAA regulations. A list of NCAA banned substances can be found here: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal

    Thanks,
    Devon

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  26. Great run!!! I love Roctane too! I seriosuly feel like it does give you a little extra pick me up compared to regular GU! and I love the yummy flavors :)

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  27. Thanks for sharing one of the blueberry ones with me (just raved about it in my post today!)

    It really is delish and I def. felt a difference from the regular GU!

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  28. Your new design looks great!

    Thanks for the review. I've been planning to order some Gu for my training and now I think I'll order the Roctane!

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  29. Hey there. I had a Roctane while I did Disney and it was tasty but I didn't like my flavour. I am a big fan of the chocolate GU (and the tri-berry) but this blueberry one was a bit much. I will definately try the other flavours!

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  30. Nice product review! I've tried a couple GU gels in the past and had thought they were just OK (really just liked the Lemon-line and Choc Mint flavors, not what was in them -- Power Gels were my preferred gels for what was inside). Next time I need more gels, I'll be more willing to try Roctane.

    And I enjoyed the photos very much. Having grown up in the Berkeley area, I know that Emeryville area well too!

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  31. Great review. I will have to check it out~!

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  32. I just bought my first Gu about a week ago (didn't get Roctane though), but haven't tried it yet...I think I'll try it on a shorter run first, in case I don't like it...don't want to get sick 5 miles from home...

    great job on the long run, and best of luck on the Napa Valley marathon!

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  33. Ok so first I had to swallow my jealously over the temp...I mean that's just wrong. Now I've never been much on GU because it makes my stomach roll, has that ever been an issue for you?

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  34. Great review, I think you've convinced me to buy some Roctane. Also, best product name EVER.

    I am too jealous about the temps you're running in. It's freezing in NY!

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  35. Hey! I am new to running and new to your blog. I am just topping out over an hour and a half for my runs and was looking into Gu, etc. Thanks for the review...something new to try now!

    And wow--hello gorgeous scenery for a run! I am so jealous it hurts!

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