Energy Product Trial #1: Clif Shot Bloks (a second look)

Date: 7/29/12
Start time:  5:55 AM (analysis:  perfect time!)
Start temperature:  68 degrees F (much cooler than last time) 
Sleep beforehand: > 6 hours
Food beforehand: half english muffin with honey
Water beforehand:  cup of coffee (analysis:  PERFECT!) 

Ending time: 7:45 AM
End temperature:  76 degrees F
Total Distance:  10.82
Average pace: 10:35 min/mile


Wow, what a difference a few alterations can make!  I allowed myself an earlier start, a little more food, and, what I think was the real game-changer, a cup of coffee before starting my run.  In doing so I smashed my normal "long run" distance by nearly three miles and did it at a better pace, to boot. These will definitely be the conditions I try to replicate on my future long runs, in my attempts to test the energy products. 


The three Shot Bloks I had left from the last trial sustained me pretty well.  I didn't feel weak or out of energy, but I still felt the soreness in my arches and knees, which may be attributed to the distance, or maybe to the Bloks' lack of vitamin content.  As I mentioned in the previous Shot Blok post, I'm going to experiment with vitamin-rich products and see if it makes a difference.  


I am, however, confident enough in my trials to raise the Shot Bloks' overall rating to a 7/10.  The three remaining pieces fit much easier into the pocket of my shorts, they still taste great, and their energy delivery was at least adequate for such a small serving size. 


More products soon to be reviewed! If you have a suggestion as to which products you'd like me to try, please feel free to leave a comment in any of my blog posts, or drop me an email at grahampatricksmith@gmail.com  

Energy Product Trial #1: Clif Shot Bloks

Date: 7/26/12
Start time:  6:45 AM (analysis:  too late!)
Start temperature:  77 degrees F
Sleep beforehand: > 6 hours
Food beforehand: handful of Honey Nut Cheerios
Water beforehand:  small mouthful (analysis: not enough)

Ending time: 8:25 AM
End temperature:  84 degrees F
Total Distance:  8.76 miles
Average pace: 10:50 min/mile

Product stats:
Service Size:  1 ounce/ 3 bloks (half the package)
Calories: 100
Good stuff:
 - 70mg sodium
 - 20mg potassium
 - 24g carbs
 - 12g sugars
Other bonuses:
 - package advertises 95% organic ingredients

The rundown:

These things taste AMAZING.  I bought is the Cran-Raz flavor, and they're as good as the fruit snacks I used to pack in my lunch box as a kid. I also appreciated that the serving size was only 3 blocks, which meant that, were I on a longer run, I wouldn't have to take additional items with me; I'd only need to finish the package.  It also didn't feel like a lead weight bouncing around in my stomach, since the serving was only 1 ounce.

Possible problems:  the long, awkward package is tough to carry.  I actually had to change shorts this morning, finding the one pair I own with regular pockets to carry them.  Also, the package states, "Always follow consumption with water", which would't be a problem during a race with regular water stations, but, from a runner who doesn't own a Fuel Belt, this could be problematic on casual long runs (and may account for its poor energy rating below).

Possible extenuating factors to the trial: 

 - I exercised hard the day before (trail running and lifting weight). 

 - I slept in (6:45 is too late to start a run in the hottest summer Lexington, KY has had in decades!) 

- Possibly didn't have enough water the night before (cotton-mouthed during the last 3 miles).  

(Current) Overall Rating:  6/10

     The energy delivered by the Shot Bloks was less than I would have liked, and I experienced some knee and arch pain that I think the addition of some vitamins in the formula might have prevented (this isn't a scientific analysis, only speculation.  I intend on experimenting with vitamin-rich fuels in the future, and if I find that this isn't the case, Shot Bloks' rating may change).  As I mentioned earlier, the package instructs to take water with the blocks, so I will be repeating the experiment with water (especially since I still have half the package).


The Skinny:

PROS:
 - Small serving size (one package contains two servings)
 - Great taste
 - Organic ingredients

CONS:
 - Awkward packaging
 - No listed vitamin content
- Must take with water for recommended best results


Final Analysis: I'm going to give them another try.  The heat of the morning and my inability to take water with the blocks might have contributed more than I think.  Stay tuned for the update!  

Energy products independent study: and overview.

As I mentioned in the first post, one of the reasons I created this blog was so I could have somewhere to post my results from testing several mid-run energy products.  Before I begin, I'd like to make some things clear.

1.) Purpose:  I'm training for my first full marathon in December, and I'm still trying to trail myself to take in food and water while running (since there's no way I'd be able to make it the whole 26.2 without refueling). So I'm trying to find which energy product works best for me.  Your results may vary.

2.) I know that no experiment can be conducted in a vacuum, but I'm going to do my best to recreate similar conditions with every long run (which tend to be between 8.5 and 9.25 miles, but will hopefully change as I train) so I can more accurately determine the effectiveness of the product I've eaten.

3.)  See #2 for the reasons why I record time, temperature, food, sleep, weather, etc.

4.) All reviews are subject to change after repeated trials.  It's usually hard to get a feel for how a product is going to affect one's body after only one try, so stay tuned!

4.)  Feel free to comment on any post!  If you've experienced different results or have training tips, do not hesitate to share them.  I'm not an expert runner by any means, and am always looking for new information.

Welcome to Runner Confidential!

I'm Graham Smith, journeyman runner, located in Lexington, KY.  I created this blog to log my runs, discuss musings on running, and to post reviews and comparisons of various running products.   

I was actually inspired to start this blog when I came up dry on an internet search for reviews and comparisons of mid-run energy products. I decided that, if no one could tell me what I wanted to know, I was just going to have to find out for myself.  And, of course, I will post results and reviews for all the world.