This week, I posted my Army Ten Miler Race Recap and realized it was my 100th post! I’m sure it would come as no surprise to my mother that I have a lot to say…
So in honor of my 100th post,
(that has a better ring than “102nd post”!)I’m happy to do another GIVEAWAY!
A little while ago, Energybits sent me a sample to review and offered to give away a sample to one lucky reader. I was really interested in trying them a second time – you might recall my green-toothed episode when I chewed them rather than swallowed them as part of my sample Tribox from Runnerbox. Yes, the instructions say you can chew them – it doesn’t mean you should chew them right before a dentist appointment. [Take that, endodontist – pick the green algae off my teeth before you drill through my crown to re-do my root canal!]
I keep hearing about the wonders of the ‘Bits from various bloggers, and I was game for another try. What are these little green vitamin-looking things? I learned that they’re not a supplement, they are food. And since I’m doing the Whole30 and can’t have gels, beans, bars, or any of my usual stand-bys, I thought this was a good time to try them.
Here’s a run-down of the ‘Bits:
Want more energy, more mental vitality, or a healthy high protein snack you can grab on the go? How about a quick way to boost your athletic performance, supercharge your run or crank up your endurance while working or working out? If so, ENERGYbits® are for you. Made from 100% organicallly grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, ENERGYbits® algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) all for just one calorie per tab. Endorsed by the United Nations as the most nutritious food on earth, spirulina algae has been a favorite of Olympic gold medalists for decades and is a super food in every sense of the word, delivering instant and enduring energy to your brain and body.
They came in this adorable little tin. I actually want to go around my house finding tiny things to put in the tin because I love it so much.
They say to take at least 30 of them at once. Unless I counted wrong (entirely possible, since I was in my car), I had enough for two doses of 29, so that’s what I took each time.
They are apparently packed with B vitamins, which I’ve always been in need of boosting for several reasons:
So how’d they work out?
The first time I took them was for my evening 7-mile run on Columbus Day. I ran with the running club and the Energybits seemed to work great. I sustained my low 9’s pace for 7 hilly miles consistently, without water or any other fuel during the run, in the evening, in the dark, after a crazy busy day with the kids. So I was happy with them.
My second try was for the Army Ten Miler on Sunday. Honestly, I had so many other things going on that I don’t know if the Energybits helped or not. I was dodging and weaving through crowds, and stressed during the race, so I’m not sure how I would have been without the Energybits in terms of my endurance and energy level. So who knows.
I’m still really curious about them as a natural source of energy, and the little tabs are easy to swallow – when you have water available. Before the race, I went to take them and realized I didn’t have any water on me near the corrals – I had been apart from my car for over an hour. I swallowed them with a Go Go Squeeze applesauce – challenging but doable!
I’m thinking of giving them more tries, especially since I’ve ditched sugar and processed foods.
So… a giveaway of Energybits? Yes please!
Click here for the Rafflecopter giveaway!
ENERGYbits are only available at ENERGYbits.com, and Jonathan (their Brand Manager) has shared with me that he’d be happy to connect anyone with a current ambassador to share a discount on a bag of bits – you can email him at jlevitt@energybits.com.
In addition, Energybits is offering a discount during the month of October to raise awareness of Breast Cancer – please see this press release for details. They are offering a 25% discount on all purchases made with the discount code “PINK” to allow everyone to try their algae and experience the health benefits for themselves.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
(that’s not copyrighted by The Hunger Games, is it? If so, shhh don’t tell!)
You Signed Up For What?! 
I am curious about these as I start training for my first long runs
I think it takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what works for you for long runs. They are worth a try!
I’m curious about those as well since they do seem to be natural. I don’t know how well I’d do taking them on the run though
You’re supposed to take them 15-20 minutes before the workout, I think – I took them in my car with water the first time. The second time I tried to swallow them with an applesauce pouch, which took a little trial and error. I was swallowing about 6-8 at a time, they are like tiny little vitamins or pills.
Huh, I guess I was thinking they were more like the gel packs that people take mid race. I’ll have to look into it some more
I have been using Picky bars to fuel my work out recently.
I still have yet to try those!
I sometimes use a Cliff Bar for fuel before my workout.
I like Cliff bars! I haven’t been able to have anything like that while on the Whole30 and miss the ease of a bar.
I would love to try these, everything else I have tried so far hit my belly and I immediately start looking for a porta-potty or bush!
It’s so much trial and error to figure out what works, isn’t it? I love some of the electrolyte drinks but they go right through me!
if you’re looking for spirula and other green foods to add to your diet i highly, *highly* recommend this stuff. i have it on amazon 3 month recurring. stick it in whatever or just mix it with a 4 oz thing of water for a sort of ‘wheatgrass’ shot.
not so much for runner energy though… sort of an all around do-good for me.
http://tinyurl.com/n7qauv5
Oooh, thanks. I saw something in Wegman’s last night that was spirulina and now I’m intrigued by the whole concept.
I’m glad to see you had a positive experience with ENERGYbits. What I tend to do is take a full dose before my run, and then on long runs I’ll take a small handful every 45 minutes or so, same as I used to do with gels. Since I already have water on me, it’s no problem and I can manage to swallow about 10 at a time. That’s no more cumbersome for me than opening a packet of gel, squeezing it down and rolling it back up to put back in my pouch used to be.
I find the immediately available protein helps with my energy and endurance!
Good luck with your giveaway!
Thanks for the tips!
I usually have a cliff bar to fuel up.
Cliff bars are delish, I miss bars on the Whole 30. I can only have Larabars for 5 more days…
Great giveaway!
I love my ENERGYbits and never go without taking them. They have helped me lose some weight and I fueled my most recent half with them and PR’d by nine minutes! I am a true believer. The swallowing gets easier with time. When I first started taking them, I could only swallow about 5 or 6 at once, now I can take about 15 or so.
Great! Thanks for the tips.
I had similar thoughts after I tried the sample and reviewed them. I bought a bag to try longer term.
I was thinking about getting some to try out longer, especially since my second try was such an abnormal chance to see how they worked.
I have used ENERGYbits before. I like to use Clif Shot Bloks and have also been experimenting with Gatorade Prime chews.
I started using Shot Blocks this summer for my duathlon and triathlon and liked the result (the energy burst) – but they were gooey and hard to open and take while on the bike. I should use my remaining ones for runs and stick to Gu on the bike.
First of all, congrats on your 100th post!! That is amazing. I usually fuel up with home made chews, but I’ve been hearing so much about these energy bits!
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