GU Energy Original Sports Nutrition Energy Gel (Strawberry Banana, 8-Count)

Excellent for full marathon.

Gives quick boost up

I like the strawberry and banana flavor. I never tried a gel before so for the first time I really enjoyed.

I'm training for an Ironman, and this product has been super helpful. I usually don't like to eat while working out, but this race is too long to not eat. I eat one Gu every 20 miles on the bike and every 3-4 miles of the run and can feel a real difference in how long my energy lasts. I tried gummies but they made my stomach turn while running. This Gu is easy to digest.

I've been using GU for a long time, 10 years or more, and I think it's a wonderful product. However, I have noticed that when I'm consuming multiple ones during a race and such, they start to taste sweet, which I don't like at all; the last thing I want when I'm 20 miles into a run is something sweet. I thought all gels were pretty much the same, but alas, I now know that that's not true. I have recently discovered another product, gel from Hammer Nutrition. Their flavors are superior (to me anyway), and they're not overwhelmingly loaded with sugar. Also, after you take one you're not scrambling for the water bottle since they don't leave a syrup consistency in your mouth. If you're only going to use 1 gel, then GU can fit the bill, but if you're going to consume multiple ones, you might want to look at the gel from Hammer Nutrition. Oh, about the carbs and sugar content. There are more simple carbs in the GU gels, which means that it brings you up and down much faster. Hammer gels have a great deal more complex carbs in them (and they're natural), so you don't spike up and drop down fast, meaning that you give your body a consistent supply of energy without the spikes. This has been a nice change in my training. FYI, the flavors of GU I like are the Mint Chocolate and Vanilla. For Hammer gels, I like the Huckleberry, Raspberry, and Apple Cinnamon.