Thursday, January 31, 2013

Vi Endurance Gel Giveaway

Let's talk about gels, shall we?



I am really picky about how I fuel while running.  I've just had too many bad experiences with nausea, throwing up, and worse.  My stomach doesn't do well with most gels.  I've tried almost every kind out there and found one brand that I can stomach.  Well... now I can say there are two kinds.  

I was lucky enough to be able to try Vi Endurance gels the past couple of months.  And while I've tried them on a few long runs, I've also tested them on an empty stomach before an intense spin class, and on a couple of 3-4 hour hikes, and a couple of snow shoeing treks.  

My biggest complaint with previous gels has been 3 fold.  First: the taste.  Some taste like frosting.  Some flavors just taste fake.  You know the ones.  Mostly vanilla.  Second: the texture.  Some are super runny, which I favor over the super thick ones: again akin to frosting.  Or worse, gritty.  And third: the digestibility.  I vividly remember after my first marathon being completely sick to my stomach and spending the rest of the day in the bathroom.  Yes, the feeling of accomplishment was all worth it.  But I knew I didn't want to feel that way again.  I experimented with several gels quickly figuring out that I have a sensitive stomach and just can't do most gels.  I even ran a marathon with no gels.  Yeah, it's no wonder my first marathon was my fastest to date.  So if a gel is good on my stomach, I will gladly sacrifice taste and texture.  Fortunately, with Vi Endurance gels I don't have to compromise on any of the afore mentioned criteria.

Vi Endurance gels are made by endurance athletes.  Their "lab coats are tech shirts and running shorts."  Each of these three friends are ultra runners.  They have tested them in harsh conditions.  And every ingredient serves a purpose.
My favorite of all the features of these gels is the taste.  They are just good. The chocolate flavor is my favorite.  It tastes like an expensive dark chocolate.  Not like overly sweetened frosting.  It tastes gourmet.  Every flavor does.  The vanilla tastes like real.  Like vanilla bean.  Think ice cream flavors.  It's the difference between plain grocery store brand vanilla ice cream and vanilla bean ice cream.  And the peach cobbler.  Oh man.  I live in Peach City USA. We have a celebration each fall around peaches.  And peach cobbler is a favorite dessert of mine.  This gel is extraordinarily close to the real thing.  Flavor is a big deal to me.
The viscosity is perfect.  Not too runny so that it runs down your hand as you open it.  And not too thick so that you're gagging it down.  It's just right.  Yes, I sound like Goldilocks, I know.  But it's true.  It's just right and it's because of the ingredients.  They use coconut oil.  And it's not just for the viscosity, but it is a fat that is used by the body as a carbohydrate.  It goes straight to the liver and doesn't require energy to be absorbed.  It also helps with the brain fog issue late in the game where simple math and general thinking becomes difficult.
And lastly:  the digestibility.  This is the main reason I was willing to try these gels.  Every single ingredient is made to be easily digested.  These people know firsthand why that is so important.  Go here to read more about the science behind this.  One thing I want to note is that each gel has caffeine.  I am generally against using a caffeinated gel each time I fuel, but they state that the amount of caffeine in each gel is used purely as a digestive aid.  If you want the caffeine high you need to get it from some other source.  I also like how they point out that caffeine can cause frequent urination, diarrhea, and loss of essential electrolytes.  These guys really know their stuff.


These gels make my tummy happy.
I've shared my gels with my brother and a few friends.  Everyone has said the same thing.  They love them.  

Now on to the best part.  Vi Endurance is going to give you the chance to win a case of these gels for yourself.  That's 24 gels.  And 3 of you get to win one.

Leave a comment here and then visit their Facebook page and like it.  Then come back and leave another comment for doing that.  Post the contest on your blog or Facebook page and leave another comment.  3 possible entries!

Good luck!  And for everyone else, I'll have a coupon code for 20% off next week.  Contest goes through Wednesday.  Spread the word!

47 comments:

runkatie said...

I've wanted to try Vi for a while. I always love trying new fuel. The peach cobbler sounds amazing!

Louise Cunningham said...

I have never heard of these! Would love to try some!

Louise Cunningham said...

I liked and left them a message on facebook!

Louise Cunningham said...

I posted on RunnersRamblings! https://www.facebook.com/runnersramblings

Thanks Jen!

Erik Ammon said...

The chocolate looks really good. I gave up chocolate a while ago as part of a healthy diet change. So, the only way I get it is through gels :) Minor technicality!!

Erik Ammon said...

I like Vi Endurance on FB as well (Erik A)

Just Jen said...

I would love to try Vi gels

Just Jen said...

I liked them on facebook

susette said...

What a super fun giveaway. I would love to try these babies out!

susette said...

Just liked the VI Endurance Facebook page!

FireRunner2379 said...

I've never tried Vi Endurance but a case of it would come in handy during my marathon training, thanks for the opportunity to score some!

FireRunner2379 said...

I like Vi Endurance's Facebook page.

FireRunner2379 said...

I shared a link on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harryanddavid?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/jeffrey.lammers.7/posts/327760553992054

Coy Martinez said...

I've never heard of them but I trust you. It never hurts to try them and even to LIKE them better :) Put my name in the hat! I'm heading to FB now.

Kiley said...

I really want to try these. I've heard good stuff and your review is just sealing the deal for me. (I don't have facebook so I can't like their page)

Kiley said...

I blogged about it here http://dailyvitaminf.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-few-things-for-friday.html

Rachelle Wardle said...

I know how hard of a time you have had finding a good fuel for you and am so glad this has worked. I would absolutely love to try it out.

Rachelle Wardle said...

I liked Vi endurance on fb. :)

Stephanie said...

I currently use Gu and Hammer Gel. I'd love to try Vi!

Stephanie said...

I liked them on FB!

Heather Bell said...

I would love to try these out!! I've had the same problem with the tummy too!!!

Heather Bell said...

I Liked them on Facebook too!!!

Mommy Run Fast said...

I would LOVE to try these! I haven't found gels/gu I'm happy with and am curious if these would work for me. Thanks, Jen!

Miss Prickly said...

I've never tried these. They sound really good!

Miss Prickly said...

I liked their FB page.

Miss Prickly said...

I posted your giveaway on my blog.
http://goalittlefastermama.blogspot.com/2013/02/vi-endurance-gel-giveaway.html

Jeff Gallup said...

Still in search of the perfect gel.. these sound great!

Jeff Gallup said...

I liked them on Facebook!

Jeff Gallup said...

Shared the giveaway on my Blog FB page.. thanks!

gw said...

These sound amazing. Would love to try!

gw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
gw said...

Oops... Added same comment twice. Sorry! Also, I went and liked the fb page!

Christie said...

The last couple months I have been having a hard time finding a GU that doesn't bother my stomach! I'd love to try these :):):)

Christie said...

I liked them on FB.

My Heart said...

I'd like some gels

Cole said...

I have been eyeing these! Especially now that I am training for my first half marathon

Cole said...

I liked their facebook page as well!

Dani said...

I'm new to distance running and have been trying to figure out which gels are best. These sound great!

Dani said...

I liked Vi Endurance on Facebook as Dani Freeman.

Dani said...

I shared this post here https://www.facebook.com/dani.freeman.58/posts/113001952214476

From Ice Cream to Marathon said...

I would love to try these!

From Ice Cream to Marathon said...

I like them on fb.

Benji Zimmerman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Benji Zimmerman said...

Definitely looking for some new fuel options for distance running.

Benji Zimmerman said...

Liked them on Facebook "Benji Zimmerman" . . . bring on some Vi!

Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course said...

I love trying new fuel. :-)

Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course said...

Liked them on FB.