With my toenails still throbbing, I'm really in no mood for running (or burpees!). The next couple of weeks I'll be lying low on the running front. That means only fun and short runs. This weekend we have wedding festivities to attend so that will make nixing a long run easy business.
_______________________________
And here's a little treat that I've been saving for you for a special occasion like today: the most delicious gel you've ever experienced or will experience during your running life. At least I think so. And I once went on a Toblerone-only diet in high school when my science club was selling them for a fundraiser, so I think I know a thing or two about how delicious chocolate can be.
The gel I speak of is Chocolate #9. Simple name. Simple ingredients.

Also, I've used them as an emergency snack when I go too long without food and need something quickly. They're super easy to store in the car, and they are almost better after heating up when the summer sun turns your car into an oven. Served hot, they are like lava cake, without the gluten/sugar hangover the next day. If I were ever in the mood for a dessert but not wanting to cave to refined sugar, I could pop open one of these as my dessert mediator.
The other great thing about these, besides that they taste amazing, is that they are a low glycemic index food. This means that your blood sugar is less likely to spike with these. Chocolate #9 also sponsors Team Type 1, a professional cycling group created to "inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health and overcoming the obstacles often associated with the condition."
Want to try some? You can purchase them here or see if they are in your area by searching here.
Also Chocolate #9 is going to send one reader a large trial pack that includes seven gel packs. Yum times seven! Yet another time where I want to enter my own blog's giveaway.
To enter: leave me a comment telling me what your favorite race fuel is.
For bonus entries: These are completely optional! But if you do them, make sure to leave a separate comment for each so I can count them all.
* Share this giveaway via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or your blog. Leave a separate comment for each share!
I'm going to choose a winner next Tuesday, June 11th, via random.org.
Disclaimer: Chocolate #9 provided a sample pack for me to try, and they are providing the prize for this giveaway. All thoughts and opinions and cruddy photoshopping are mine all mine.
I first heard about these through Runnerbox, a subscription service that sends a monthly box of random and cool runner treats to your house.
Why is Chocolate #9 different from other gels? (from their site)
- sweetened only with organic agave
- contains no refined sugar or other high glycemic index sweeteners
- won't cause sugar high or sugar low
- contains no mystery ingredients, colorings, or preservatives
- easy on the stomach
I love, love, love that there are only two ingredients: organic agave and breakfast cocoa processed with alkali. Here is more information about what alkali processing is.
Compare that to the mile-long (exaggeration, but slight) ingredient list of the a GU gel.
I've had these with me on my most recent two 50Ks. Here I am carrying one in my sports bra purse at Rockin Choccolocco this past weekend. I love using these in conjunction with the whole foods (i.e. not gels) from the ultra aid stations.
Also, I've used them as an emergency snack when I go too long without food and need something quickly. They're super easy to store in the car, and they are almost better after heating up when the summer sun turns your car into an oven. Served hot, they are like lava cake, without the gluten/sugar hangover the next day. If I were ever in the mood for a dessert but not wanting to cave to refined sugar, I could pop open one of these as my dessert mediator.
The other great thing about these, besides that they taste amazing, is that they are a low glycemic index food. This means that your blood sugar is less likely to spike with these. Chocolate #9 also sponsors Team Type 1, a professional cycling group created to "inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health and overcoming the obstacles often associated with the condition."
Want to try some? You can purchase them here or see if they are in your area by searching here.
Also Chocolate #9 is going to send one reader a large trial pack that includes seven gel packs. Yum times seven! Yet another time where I want to enter my own blog's giveaway.
To enter: leave me a comment telling me what your favorite race fuel is.
For bonus entries: These are completely optional! But if you do them, make sure to leave a separate comment for each so I can count them all.
* Like Chocolate #9 on Facebook. Leave a comment telling me you do.
* Follow Chocolate #9 on Twitter. Leave a comment telling me you do.
Disclaimer: Chocolate #9 provided a sample pack for me to try, and they are providing the prize for this giveaway. All thoughts and opinions and cruddy photoshopping are mine all mine.
I like applesauce, but I am looking for something new.
ReplyDeleteI liked Chocolate #9 on FB.
ReplyDeleteI like Yo Momma Runs on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI follow Yo Momma Runs on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI normally use Gu for race fuel but if I have a Hammer Gel I'm extremely happy!
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteAmd I also follow you on the Facebook :)
ReplyDeleteI liked Chocolate #9 on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI love the fine orint on this blog post too:0)
ReplyDeleteliked Choc #9 on FB
ReplyDeleteI like to use gels
ReplyDeleteChoc#9 FB follower-@audrdawkruns
ReplyDeleteLike yomommaruns on FB
ReplyDeletefollowing you on twitter
ReplyDeleteOk! I have to admit, I love the "other brand" gel chocolate but if I can get that yummy taste with #9, without all the junk in it??! Bring it on!
ReplyDeleteLOL...I wasn't about to wait and see if I won...I ordered a sample pack!
DeleteFollowed Yo Momma runs on FB
ReplyDeleteFollowed Yo Momma Runs on Twitter
ReplyDeleteFollowed Chocolate #9 on FB.
ReplyDeleteFollowed Chocolate #9 on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI usually use PB and Jet Blackberry GU for fuel during long runs, but I am getting sick of them and would love to try something new!
ReplyDeleteI already "like" Yo Momma Runs on FB!
ReplyDeleteJust liked Choc #9 on FB.
ReplyDeleteMy current fave are raspberry Power Bar energy blasts, but now I really want to try this gel!
ReplyDeleteLikes Chocolate #9 on FB.
ReplyDeleteAlready liked YMR on FB
ReplyDeleteI'm still experimenting with fuel, and I'm not sure I like the gels, but I'm up for trying anything! I've been using VFuel and while it's not horrible, it's not the best, either!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI like you on Facebook :D
ReplyDeleteooh, I love chocolate and agave so this has to be amazing!
ReplyDeleteLiked chocolate #9 on FaceBook
ReplyDeleteYou know I already love you on FaceBook!
ReplyDeleteFollowed Chocolate #9 on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI love you on twitter too :)
ReplyDeleteshared on twitter.
ReplyDeleteshared on facebook
ReplyDeleteI like Chocolate #9 on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI have never used any fuel, just now running longer distances and look for fuel ideas with no sugar. Going to buy some of these. thank you!
ReplyDeleteI like Yo Momma Runs on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI follow Chocolate #9 on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow Yo Momma Runs on Twitter
ReplyDeleteMy favorite race fuel is currently Gu and Nuun. I've tried dates, raisins, and Honey Stinger chews but it's so hard for me to chew and run. I'd love to try these gels!
ReplyDeleteClif gel shot in mocha! Yummy! Can't wait to try Choc #9
ReplyDeleteI follow Chocolate #9 on twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow Yo Momma Runs on Twitter and LIKE on FACE BOOK!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed seeing you at the rockin chocolotto - talk about hot! Good luck with summer training!
ReplyDeleteLove gels for fuel.
ReplyDeleteI liked YMR on FB!
ReplyDeleteI liked Chocolate#9 on FB! Live your blog, by the way😃
ReplyDelete*love, sorry :)
ReplyDeleteLots of favorite race fuel for me, but one of them is dates. I've tried lots of gels, but I haven't tried #9 yet.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteI use PocketFuel. Can't wait to try Chocolate #9
ReplyDeleteI use PocketFuel. Can't wait to try Chocolate #9
ReplyDeletewow, I have really missed the twitter boat. don't think I've ever even been on it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my favorite fuel is Clif Shot Blox. Love!
I'm still head over heels for the apple cinnamon hammer gels!
ReplyDeleteHaven't used any 'fuel' yet. But always like plain almonds for energy.
ReplyDeleteLike on Facebook, too!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say Honey Stinger chews because I can either chew them or hoard them in my cheeks like a chipmunk. Of course it's an added bonus that they are organic and I've never had a GI issue from them.
ReplyDeleteI like Chocolate #9 on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI like Yo Momma on Facebook and always will!
ReplyDeleteI follow Chocolate #9 on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI follow Yo Momma on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted the giveaway here: https://twitter.com/BFMarathonMom/status/342721096195383298
ReplyDeleteI shared the giveaway on my Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/BarefootMarathonMomma/posts/215551515235568
ReplyDeleteI liked Chocolate #9 on Twitter. Forgot to add that earlier.
ReplyDeleteRight now I really like Watermelon Extreme Beans.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on FB
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fuel so far is Cliff Gels in Razz flavor. I really haven;t tried many options.
ReplyDeleteThese do sound good!!! I follow you on FB.
ReplyDeleteI also follow you on twitter
ReplyDeleteI use Hammer gels - either chocolate or banana.
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on FB.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try these. I am now following chocolate 9 on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI follow you on FB
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter
ReplyDeleteSo far my fave refuel is the standard GU but I'd love to go more natural and less sugar
ReplyDeleteNow I follow you on twitter!
ReplyDeleteI followed Chocolate #9 on twitter.
ReplyDeleteI liked Chocolate #9 on FB
ReplyDeleteVanilla Gu. But I think Chocolate #9 would be good fuel for Half Moon Bay....don't you;).
ReplyDeleteI've been using Buddy Fruits and I love them! It's basically pureed fruit in a resealable squeeze pack.
ReplyDeleteI have used GU and power bar energy chews...they are both so -so.
ReplyDeleteLike you on fb
ReplyDeleteLiked choc #9 on fb
ReplyDeleteFollowing Yo Momma Runs on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteFollowing Yo Momma Runs on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteFollowing Chocolate #9 on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteFollowing Chocolate #8 on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteOops! Chocolate #9!!!!!!
DeleteHahahaha, now you've got me wondering what happened to chocolates 1-8.
DeleteI love Chocolate #9 the very best!
ReplyDeleteAnd I like Chocolate #9 on FB too.
ReplyDeleteCourse I like you on FB!
ReplyDeleteI do follow Chocolate #9 on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do follow you on Twitter, too.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted!
ReplyDeleteShared the giveaway on the sidebar on my blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd I Pinned to my giveaway board, too.
ReplyDeleteAlso posted on my blogs fan FB page.
ReplyDeleteI like Huma gels now, but this brand looks really interesting!
ReplyDeleteI like Chocolate #9 on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI follow Chocolate #9 on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI also follow you on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on FB!
ReplyDeleteI tweeted!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/laurel_runs/status/343893256783941635
Favorite fuel-gummy bears.
ReplyDeleteAlready follow you on Twitter
ReplyDeleteAm now a follower of chocolate #9 on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Twitter (@Disney_Bride)
ReplyDeleteI liked your page on FB!
ReplyDeleteI liked Chocolate#9 on FB!
ReplyDeleteCurrently my fave race fuel is Clif shot blocks. But I am always up for chocolate anything!
ReplyDelete