One such product is Rokit Fuel. A few weeks ago I was sent some samples of this "endurance fuel for athletes" and, friends, I am hooked. I love the stuff!
What the heck is Rokit Fuel, you may be asking. Well, Rokit Fuel is a line of cereal and energy mixes that are designed to be taken on the road with you, for convenient refueling whether you're tackling a long run, enjoying a hike or just driving around town with the kids. From the web site:
Rokit Fuel Energy Mix comes in a handy single serve pouch that you can take almost anywhere. It fits neatly into pockets, backpacks, briefcases and carry-ons. Simply add enough warm or cold water to the pouch to moisten the Rokit Fuel by massaging with your thumbs, then squeeze the Energy Mix into our mouth as you would an energy gel or GoGurt. It’s that easy. No spoon. No mess. No problem. And the all natural energy you get from one serving will give you sustained nutrition for several hours.
Rokit Fuel Cereal Cups are almost as handy as our Energy Mix. Take along a cup to work, on the plane or into the great outdoors. Add warm or cold water or milk and you’re set. No cooking or waiting necessary. Spoon in the goodness and feel your body say thank you for taking good care of me. The serving size of our cereal cups is generous for a full meal.
I tried both the cereal cups and the energy mix. Since I'm in the middle of half-marathon training, I decided to give Rokit Fuel a real test and try it out before some tough runs. The first up was speedwork. I had mile repeats on the schedule and was dreading them (interested? You can read about them over here.). I ate a pouch of the Pumpkin Chocolate Rokit Fuel about an hour before my run. To eat it, I opened the pouch, poured a little water into the mix (which looks a lot like muesli) and worked the water around to moisten it. Then, I ate away.
Ho -- wow. Yum. I certainly started with the right mix because Pumpkin Chocolate Rokit Fuel is delicious! Oh, so tasty!
Now, if you didn't pop over to my other site to read about that speedwork, I'll let you know that I nailed it. I ran those mile repeats with no problems. I'm not saying it was all due to the Rokit Fuel but I will say that eating Rokit Fuel an hour before a hard workout didn't cause any stomach issues and, in fact, it gave me good energy for some hard running.
I next used Rokit Fuel before an 11 mile run and had the same experience -- no stomach upset just good energy. For that run, I tried Spice Cookie and it was tasty too.
Since those two hard workouts, I've eaten Rokit Fuel after a few runs to refuel and I've tried the cereal cups for breakfast. Both have worked out well. Although, my three-year-old would disagree. He was very interested in trying out the cereal cups so I let him try one and he didn't like it. But, I don't really think he's the target market :-)
One way that I really enjoy the Rokit Fuel cereal is mixed with plain yogurt. I have found that the thickness of the yogurt balances the flavor and many textures of the Rokit Fuel cereal.
Now, let me say that I have only tried Rokit Fuel in my home -- the idea behind the energy mix is that it can be eaten on the run or hike or slopes or what have you. I don't think I could eat it when I'm on the run because I need something much quicker -- I can't stop to open the pouch, pour in water, mush it up and then consume it. For fueling on the run I'll stick to what I currently use. However, I really like it for before and after runs and I can totally see how marathoners, ultra-marathoners or people who like to stop while they are running could like it for during runs.
OK, so it tastes good and it works well before runs but what's in this stuff? Whole foods! Here's a look at what is in my favorite flavor, Pumpkin Chocolate:
INGREDIENTS: ROLLED OATS, RYE FLAKES, PURE CANE DARK BROWN SUGAR, PUMPKIN FLAKES, FLAX SEED, DARK SEMI SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS, PECANS, DATES, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, OAT GROATS, WHOLE WHEAT, PEARLED BARLEY, ALMONDS, SESAME SEEDS, BEE POLLEN, CINNAMON, SEA SALT, MACA ROOT, GOTU KOLA, NUTMEG, CLOVES.Nutrition Facts Serv. Size: 2.2 oz. (64g), Servings Per Container: 1, Amount Per Serving: Calories 230, Calories from Fat 70, Total Fat 8g (12% DV), Saturated Fat 1g (5% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 75mg (3% DV), Total Carbohydrates 35g (12% DV), Dietary Fiber 6g (24% DV), Sugars 10g, Protein 7g, Vitamin A (40% DV), Vitamin C (4% DV), Calcium (6% DV), Iron (10% DV), Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
You can read about what is in the other flavors (including Holy Pinole, Spice Cookie, Stud Muffin and Cherry Almond and Chocolate Dream cereals) on the web site.
To buy:
The giveaway:
Yay! Since I love this stuff so much I super happy that the nice folks at Rokit Fuel have offered to give away a sample pack to one lucky reader!
To enter:
If you would like to give Rokit Fuel a try, leave me a comment and let me know!
Additional entries:
- Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)
- Follow my other blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)
- Become a fan of The Happy Runner on Facebook, or let me know that you already are (leave a comment)
- Become a fan of Rokit Fuel on Facebook (leave a comment)
- Let me know what kind of fuel you currently use for long runs (or other exercise) (leave a comment)
- Link to this giveaway from Facebook or Twitter (do as often as you'd like, just leave a comment each time)
- Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment with the url)
Good luck!
Review/giveaway disclosure: I received samples of Rokit Fuel to try out. I was not otherwise compensated and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
