Some Exciting GU News!!!

On Tuesday, GU Energy, will be announcing an all new product line. For all of us who are always trying to fit that workout in during lunch, on your way to and from work or just need to replenish your electrolytes after a long day, the new GU Brew Electrolyte Tablets are a great way to turn the plain bottle of water into the extra electrolyte punch you need.

The GU Brew Electrolyte Tablets come in 3 great flavors, Orange, Lemon Lime and Peach Tea. The tablets have no artificial sweeteners or flavors and at with only 8 calories, a great way to help replenish those lost electrolytes without the extra calories. All you need to do is drop them in your bottle and go...could it be any simpler?

I can't wait to try the Peach Tea flavor. Though I love me some good ole H2O, changing it up is going to be awesome.

Breaststroke Challenge

So how do you challenge a world-class athlete to a race? Require him to do the impossible. Earlier this week, Jessi and I challenged Rory to a breaststroke race. Now under any other circumstance we wouldn’t have a chance but today was different. As we gathered at the far end of the pool, the stage was set. Jessi and I would do normal breaststroke and Rory was going to have to swim with one arm and one leg…sounds impossible right…well that is exactly what I thought.

Posing for picture while holding one leg is almost as difficult as the swimming.

In true fashion, we had Kevin grab the camera and document the race. As the countdown began, I was sure there would be NO possible way this race was going to be close. Like, I seriously thought I would have time to touch the wall, turn around and swim back talking smack about how I just kicked his butt, even if he was swimming with one arm and leg...

I will let Jessi, explain the end of this video but it is absolutely hilarious. Sure wish we had about 2 more seconds worth.

As you will see from the video, Jessi and I get a great start and use a pull down to get a good gap on Rory...and then reality sets in. As we are swimming along, I constantly look to my left to see if he is there…do remember even though I thought I was going to dominate this race, you just never know.

About halfway down the pool, I start to see a hand slowly moving up next to me. The only thing going through my mind was… YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! There is no way this is possible. Before you know it I am swimming with absolutely ALL the strength I got. Now a good breaststroke might rely on form, I rely on strength and just try to fight the water as much as I can.

For a split second, I seriously thought I was going to get passed. Though I was able to hold him off, it was definitely a bit humbling to realize just how good Rory is at swimming. The guy is freaking phenomenal and yet another reason why you better come up with ANY advantage you can when you are in the pool.

Of course once we are done with the race, Jessi and I have to try and see if we can even do the one arm one leg breaststroke…

This is my second try and thank god the first one didn’t make it on video as Rory and Jessi almost drown laughing so hard.

So next time you are in da pool, give it a shot. Not nearly as easy as Rory makes it look.

Race Day Nutrition Test...

Last weekend I had my longest ride of the year on the schedule. With Ironman only 7 weeks away, I know how important it is to get my race day nutrition figured out. Without trying to complicate things too much, the plan was to use the same game plan as last year.

Now I am not a nutritionist and who really knows if this is the best plan but it worked for me. When you are racing anywhere from 9+ hours, making sure you have proper fueling and enough calories to get through the entire day is very important. Making sure you body can handle the supplements and still function at such a demanding level is even more critical.

As I left this morning, I had to practically fill my jersey pockets to the top since I was going to be out on the road for 4.5 hours. I tried to grab a mix of different GU gels and GU Chomps. Though I have flavors I really like (Banana is the best) too much of one flavor can get old quick.

So here is the plan: eat GU Energy Gels at :15 and :45 past each hour spent on the bike and half a bag of GU Chomps at :00 and :30. It equates to 380 calories per hour but more importantly it is VERY easy plan to follow. There is no adding time or trying to figure out what I am suppose to take or how long it has been. When I see 15 I take a gel, when I see 30, I go for the Chomps. If I learned anything during last years race, make your fueling plan as SIMPLE as possible. The last thing you want to do is eat on the bike and having to think about it is even worse.

What is left after a 4.5 hour ride...

As you can see it makes for a ton of wrappers when you are done.

I have also struggled recently with hydration, rarely ever drinking enough to keep my above that imaginary BONK line. Today I really focused on many small drinks and by the time the ride was over, I was out of GU Brew and water...Success!!!

I am excited to say that this worked great for today's ride and unless anything crazy happens in one the next few rides, I am pretty sure I will carry this all the way through race day.

Out near Loon Lake...a great new loop!
Less than 5 minutes after this picture the rain and hail started. Thankfully it only lasted a few minutes.

As for the ride itself, went really well even though actually sitting on that saddle again sounds like the worst idea ever. But in all reality, I can only hope for a few more just like it.

EXCITING NEWS!!!

A few weeks ago, I received word that I had been selected to join the GU Energy Ambassador program. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with a company that I feel is on the leading edge of sports nutrition. Not only are they constantly coming out with new flavors but they are continuing to improve their current product line as well. Like their GU Roctane, which is designed to help you during your toughest efforts.


GU products hold a special place in my stomach, as they were a key factor in getting me through one of the toughest race of my life, Ironman Coeur d’ Alene. The use of GU Chomps and GU Energy Gels throughout the race were instrumental in getting me to the finish line. Nothing like gels for 12 hours huh :)

Over the past few years, I have had an opportunity to try many different flavors. With such a wide variety, you are bound to find one you like.
Just recently I tried my all-time favorite, Banana Blitz. Now I can’t be sure, but I am pretty much convinced they brought this flavor back just for me. Apparently, it had been discontinued, I know crazy, huh? I honestly can’t not even imagine why…it is like having a banana Slurpee, aka the best EVER!!! The gel is only available online, so don’t hesitate because you have no idea what you are missing.
A few other favorites include, Raspberry GU Electrolyte Brew (formerly GU2O) and Strawberry GU Chomps. These things are SO addicting. I have to force myself to not eat them as a snack every single day…btw most days I fail miserably, SO GOOD!!!
But seriously, I would like to that GU Energy for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to working with them and using their products to get me through yet another Ironman which by the way is getting WAY TO CLOSE!!!

You can visit their website here GU Energy.

On another note, Ironman training is in full swing though I am not really sure if it ever stopped. This year definitely feels different, as this time I am trying to focus more on the journey and not the fear of death I had last year.

Until next time...