In it for the Long Run

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EnergyBits Review and Giveaway

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EnergyBits

I follow a lot of great runners’ blogs and twitter accounts which is where I first found out about Energy Bits. Energy Bits aren’t a supplement or a vitamin, they’re just algae. One ingredient you say? Natural energy? No weird ingredients? I was intrigued.

I was given the opportunity by Energy Bits to try out a sample and review them. While they did provide me with the free sample and product information, my experiences and opinions are my own.

What Are They:

Energy bits are small tabs of 100% spirulina algae. Each tab is only 1 calorie and recommended serving is 30-40 tabs.

Energy Bits are caffeine, soy, gluten and sugar free. They’re made up of 64% protein, 19% carbohydrates 8% minerals and 6% fat and contain over 40 vitamins and antioxidants.

EnergyBits

Why:

So why am I eating tabs of algae? Algae is known to provide a natural stream of mental and physical energy.

Algae is believed to boost energy without the rush and crash that can come from caffeine and sugar.

The Details:

Energy Bits

My Take:

I was given 2 servings so naturally I wanted to try them on two different kinds of runs.

EnergyBits

3 Miler

My first try was during my early morning run. I took them with my black coffee after a 4 hour sleep (which isn’t normal for me).

I felt strong the whole time and this was a route with a fair number of hills. The energy wasn’t jittery the way too much caffeine is but my legs just felt more powerful and I didn’t feel as tired as I normally do when I run that early in the morning.

It took me around 28 minutes to run 3.25 miles, which was actually one of my faster runs this summer.

5k

10 Miler

My prep for this long (slightly slower run) was to have a solid breakfast of oats with chopped almonds, a solid 8 hour sleep and a cup of iced coffee. I took 30 tabs 20 minutes before I left.

My run felt strong and I stayed at a steady pace of 9:20 the entire time. While my feet and knees felts slightly sore (as expected) similar to the short run, I felt strong the whole way through.

Conclusion:

I’m a fan. I still think it’s a little early to give a definitive take, plus there are many factors that go into whether a run is going to be successful (food, sleep, time of day/weather). That said, I think I might splurge for a full order when I begin to train for my first half marathon (in the near future).

Pros:

  • Only 1 ingredient (and 1 calorie)
  • Nothing artificial – great natural source of energy
  • Solid stream of energy without jitters or any real crash

Cons:

  • Expensive: $115 for 1000 tabs (33 servings) which means $3.50 per serving
  • “Interesting” taste – because they’re 100% algae they have a very “green” flavor

Your Turn:

Energy Bits is offering a both a giveaway and a 10% discount to In it 4 the Long Run readers. For the discount just type the word “BLOG” into the coupon box.

Or get some for free! (giveaway open to US only)

To Enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Comments

  3. Would love to try energy bits, I see them all over Facebook and twitter but would want to sample before I buy!

  4. I’ve been hearing so many wonderful things about the benefits and positive effects of Energybits, I can’t wait to try them out for my long training runs!

  6. Sounds interesting. I have never ‘fueled’ for a run before, well because I rarely run over 4 miles. I do have better and worse runs and should track my pre-race/run ‘fueling’.

  7. I use these as an energy buffer to survive 70 hour work weeks. They are well worth the price!

  10. I’ve had spirulina in a protein shake before (Spiru-tein), but I have yet to try it as a supplement/ in concentrated form. You just swallow them? Or can you add them to something, like a smoothie?

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