Lately, I’ve been experimenting with different nutrition options during my runs. My go-to has always been GU Energy Gels—especially the Chocolate Outrage (my #1 pick) and Mandarin Orange. I’ve relied on them for a while now and they’ve never let me down. For runs longer than seven miles, I typically take a GU every four miles, and if I’m feeling sluggish, I’ll sometimes kick things off with one right at mile zero.
But recently, I’ve been feeling like it might be time to try something new.
Trying Zinger: Waffles and Gummies
I picked up some products from a company called Zinger, mostly intrigued by their waffles. I liked the idea—maybe it would feel more like eating “real food” during a long run. In reality, the waffle felt more like a crumbly graham cracker than a waffle. My son and I agreed: it tasted like a Teddy Graham. Not bad flavor-wise, but the texture left something to be desired. I ended up with crumbs all over my fingers—and eventually, all over my shorts.
The waffles also came with another challenge: chewing while running hard. I found myself needing to keep my mouth open just to breathe while trying to chew. Not ideal.
The gummy bears were a bit more manageable. They didn’t make a mess, which was a plus, but like the waffles, they required more effort to chew than I’d like during a tough run.
Why GU Still Wins
This is where GU really shines for me. It’s smooth, easy to consume, and I don’t have to think about it too much while running. Plus, many of the flavors I use have caffeine, which I believe gives me a little performance boost. It might be placebo, but I’ve noticed that my pace usually picks up in the mile following a GU—at least according to my watch!
A Trail Surprise
I wasn’t planning on reviewing anything else, but I had a surprisingly wholesome experience on a recent run. I was out in Issaquah, stopped at an intersection, when I made eye contact with a cyclist. I gave him a nod and a smile, and to my surprise, he smiled back and asked, “You ever try the soda GUs?”
Before I could respond, he tossed me one and said he got it from REI. He told me it was his favorite. I’d never had a stranger offer me a GU, let alone mid-run! I reached into my pocket and handed him one of my favorites in return. He said it was a good trade. Then the light changed, and we both took off in opposite directions.
About a mile later, I tried the soda GU. It tasted like warm Coke with a jelly-like texture. Interesting, but probably better chilled. Still, the caffeine boost was real, and the whole experience left me feeling surprisingly upbeat.
I’ve read that runners and cyclists don’t always get along, but this interaction proved otherwise. Sometimes, all it takes is a shared love of endurance and a packet of GU to make a connection.
Whether you’re team waffle, gummy, or gel, the key is to experiment and see what works for you—and maybe stay open to surprises, both in flavor and on the trail.
Have you had any unexpected encounters while running? Tried anything new that worked—or didn’t? Let me know in the comments!
