Sunday, August 27, 2017

Yes UCAN (WW # 108)






We appreciate your support of the Weekly Wrap.  Our Guest Host Series will be winding down soon.  This week's guest host is the lovely and vivacious Teresa @ Finding Fabulous at Fifty.  Be sure to visit my southern sister (and century ride cohort) Teresa and leave a comment.  Please do not just drop a post and run.  The sole purpose of this linkup is to support active women.  Our next guest hosts will be Montana from Pretty Lil Mudder on September 3rd and we'll end the series with Sara @ Sara Runs This Town on September 10th. Thanks to all of you for making our Guest Host Series a success.  We appreciate you for sticking with us through the summer and making our guest hosts feel welcomed.

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I think you may recognize these ladies!

While in Chicago for the marathon last year, UCAN hosted an informative session where I met fellow bloggers as well as Olympian Meb Keflezighi and professional runner Sarah Crouch.  We learned UCAN began from the search for a life-saving steady energy source for a child with a rare condition.  We were given samples of UCAN products and I remembered thinking the snack bars were delicious. So when UCAN contacted me about trying their products, I quickly agreed.

With 50 cycling miles planned on Saturday, I took the opportunity to try the Tropical Orange drink mix.  It mixed easily and I sipped on it while preparing to ride.  I carried one bottle of orange and also one of their cinnamon snack bars to eat half way.  UCAN does not mix clear.  It's thick with a milky appearance.  Being completely honest, it did take a little getting used to.  Not a bad thing...just different. 

Feeling great at the half-way point!

I sipped on UCAN every 15 minutes for over 20 miles.   It tasted a bit like orange sherbet.  I didn't notice an aftertaste as I sometimes do with other products.  I averaged a steady 15 mph during this portion of my hilly ride.  I ate my UCAN snack bar around mile 24 and continued on.  Without any more UCAN, I began to drink from my other bottle.  I must confess, after mile 35 -- I struggled. Perhaps I should have had another bottle of UCAN with me?  Hmm....



After spending 3.5 hours on the bike, I felt pounding the pavement Sunday morning would not be the smartest decision.  I opted for pool running instead.  Not only is pool running the perfect solution for injured runners, it is also a killer workout.   If you need to strengthen your feet, ankle or lower leg areas -- it is ideal (subject for another post).  I blended Cranberry Raspberry UCAN with water and ice and kept it beside the pool, sipping every 10 minutes.  I loved this flavor!  It reminded me of the smoothies my college kid makes.  UCAN's slow-releasing Superstarch kept me energized through my workout.

If you are curious -- the chocolate snack bar is my favorite, Their bars have a consistency of dense cookie dough.  They're also yummy with coffee for mid-morning office fuel [just sayin']. 



If you read my August Runfessions, you know I recently took a mini running break.  Now, I look forward to using UCAN as I train for the RnR Las Vegas half marathon.  I think it is noteworthy to mention that you can mix it with very little water and use it like a gel or with as much water as you want, just depending on your taste. They also have no sugar and protein mixes. 

After my mini-break, Friday's run felt great!

The best way to know if something works is to try it yourself!  The wonderful people at UCAN are allowing me to give away two Fitness Boxes with Shaker Bottles.   It's the  perfect way to end our Weekly Wrap second anniversary month of giveaways.  (Make sure you see what Tricia is giving away this week!)

You can also use HOHORUNS at UCAN to save 10%.

Two winners will each win both items --  the Fitness Box and the Shaker Bottle!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


And that's a wrap!

Tell me how often you fuel during a workout!

Do you take mini breaks?

What are you training for?



43 comments:

  1. Great job rocking your 50 mile bike ride this weekend! I have tried UCAN a few times but for some reason I just can't get past the texture. I really wish that I liked it because I have heard such great things about it!

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  2. I'm going to try those bars! It sounds really good! Good luck in your training. I was planning on doing that race, but it's not looking like I'm going to now. I'll be following along with everyone and cheering you all on!

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  3. My fuel is all over the place...well, at least it WAS (back when I was actually needing it). I think I finally got it down to a Honey Stinger gel every 5-6 miles with water...but I can have Gatorade after a few miles (just NOT at the same time as any other fuel). We'll see if that strategy works when I'm back on the road in the running shoes ;-)

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  4. Glad to hear that you liked the UCAN! I'm still loyal to Tailwind but you never know down the road...

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  5. It was so great to see that pic again! Now that I'm up and running again, I need to try fueling with UCAN.

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  6. I don't think I commented on your IG post, but I love your white running shorts in your mailbox picture. You don't see white running shorts very often, yet they're so cute, and you wear them well!

    Thanks for the linkup!

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  7. Wow 50 miles is a lot of cycling! I did 33 today and was ready to be done. Maybe I needed some of that Ucan :)

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  8. I tried UCAN a year ago and really should try it again..I don't love the flavor, but I do think it works and is easy on the tummy.

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  9. I do like to fuel small and often, actually. I've never tried UCAN but one of the runners in our group does.

    I'm sure chocolate would be my favorite too!

    I've never resorted to pool running -- much as I love to swim, I hope I never have to!

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  10. It's so hard to find the perfect fuel! Nuun works for me, but I know it doesn't have calories so I need something else for that.

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  11. UCAN sounds great! I haven't been using any fuel lately as Ive barely been running, but its definitely something I would like to try as I get back into it.

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  12. I love your mailbox pictures! I haven't tried UCAN before but I'll have to pick some up. It sounds like a great product!

    I only bring fuel if I am doing a run longer than 10 miles. And then it depends on how long the run is but usually, I'll try to do something every 30-40 minutes.

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  13. I normally use Tailwind and Bolt chews - does UCAN contain stevia? That is the kiss of death for certain fuels for me...

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  14. Wow! When you can bike 50 miles on a random Saturday just for the heck of it, you know you're really fit! Great job! Honestly, sounds like the running break has been good for you!

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  15. My training starts for Vegas tomorrow. We have warmer temps than the past couple weeks, so I'll probably be on the treadmill. Not ideal, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

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  16. I didn't use UCAN during my marathon training but alot of my clients love it. Those flavors sound like checking out!

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  17. Okay, you have pricked my curiosity as I'm always looking for THE perfect energy, refueling, hydrating drink mix! And with my 'big' goals for the winter ...I'm going to need something! :)

    Sooooo.... pool running is good for ankle probs/weaknesses???? Guess, I need to join the gym across the Interstate from me that has an indoor pool!

    Thanks for the opportunity to guest host this week for my two 'southern sole sisters'!

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  18. Pool running! Yes! Of course since it involves water, I'm all in. I've been playing with my fueling strategy. I usually like to use products without a lot of extra ingredients (like Skratch, liquid and gummies), but I recently got a sample the Jelly Belly Energy Beans and I used those a few times and felt awesome. So...I'm not sure!

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  19. I've tried cranberry raspberry and I like it too!

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  20. Nice job on your 50 mile ride! I've never tried UCAN, but am curious. I've been dabbling with Tailwind and love that it is easy on my stomach.

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  21. Awesome! Love UCAN! I need to try the bars again.

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  22. UCAN has been on my list to try for a while. Glad to hear it works for you - I don't really fuel during most of my runs, but I'm training for a marathon again and need to get back in the habit of fueling.

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  23. Great work on the 50 mile bike ride. I really need to get my bike out... I say that every time I read your posts!

    I will take a gel with me for anything over 8 miles but I won't necessarily use it, it's more of a comforter.

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  24. I'm so glad that you to talk about UCAN. I'm trying to find what works for me. I tried the orange bust I thought I had mixed it wrong. I have taking a break from my training. My goal is a half ironman next year. We will see what the year brings.

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  25. I've never tried UCAN but I've heard rave reviews of it. My training has been all over the map this year so I haven't been using any type of fueling. Maybe when I get back into the groove and can stay injury free for more than a few months.

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  26. I've had the snack bars and they work really well. I haven't tried the drinks though, now I'm intrigued!

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  27. I use mostly Tailwind for my longer distance runs - fuel + hydration in one package, yes please! It also helps that my big race this coming month will have Tailwind at all the aid stations as their primary source of liquid nutrition! I tried UCAN once before and the thicker, milky consistency threw me off a little bit...maybe something that I could get used to if I tried it longer term...

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  28. I have been meaning to try the UCAN products, as they are on course for the Navy Air Force Half in a few weeks. I usually bring along the Huma Chia gels with me - I really enjoy them! I know the texture can be weird for some people though!

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  29. It has been a while since I've worked out long enough or hard enough to fuel during my workout. I drink water, but usually wait to fuel until after my workout is complete. But that will change soon once I get deeper into HM training! And then, I usually use one GU, gel, or something during my long run // race.

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  30. I've tried one flavor of UCAN and while I LOVE the fueling benefits, I'm still not sold on the taste. I need to try a few more flavors, I guess.

    I'm a big fan of breaks - my mind and my body definitely appreciate the rest, and then I can come back to training with a renewed focus.

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  31. I love that so many bloggers met up! Brilliant photo x I will check if UCAN products are available here.

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  32. Thanks for the information about Ucan, I keep hearing about it but didn't know any details.

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  33. I've never tried UCAN but there are a couple of other bars that I have tried and liked.
    Love the pic with Meb and all the ladies.

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  34. 50 miles...that's absolutely incredible! Clearly your fueling strategy is working well for you.

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  35. Nice work on your long bike ride! I am in love with pool running this summer- I wish I had discovered it sooner!

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  36. That chocolate bar sounds pretty good. I take a week off after a big race... I'm really looking forward to that week in January ;-)

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  37. I could use a pool right about now... It was hot here today!

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  38. I don't run long enough to need fuel during my runs- the longest race distance I do is a half marathon. I tried training for a marathon last Fall, and I was using Gu during those longer runs, though (14-16 miles). Unfortunately I got hurt.

    I take breaks when I'm injured! At least, that was my last break. Over the past year, I've dealt with so many injuries that I haven't taken any breaks by choice. In the past, I have taken it easy the weeks after say, a half marathon, but usually don't do much different after a short race because just a recovery week, lower mileage.

    Love that you got to meet Meb and try the UCAN! I actually did not recognize the ladies in the pic but I did recognize Meb. I have known several runners who used UCAN and liked it, I wish it was available locally.

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  39. I think a little break does the body good! I may have taken one or two myself this summer! :-)

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  40. I've heard really great things about UCAN. Glad you're enjoying it!!

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  41. I have heard such great things about UCAN and I've really wanted to try them for my next race. I need to finally freakin get pregnant so I can pop that baby out and start training again, haha!

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  42. Ah I still remember that night meeting Meb! So awesome! I actually use UCAN for my long runs and supplement it with Nuun. I like UCAN better than taking gels. Works great!!

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  43. I usually take gels on a long run, but lately I've mixed in some real food for trail runs. My weirdest snack is a meat stick (like a fancy Slim Jim). Apparently I need the salt. I've tried Tailwind in my water and I like that, so maybe I should give UCAN a try. I get super hungry/tired on trail runs vs. road runs.

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