Disclaimer: I received Generation UCan product to review as part of being a BibRave Pro Ambassador. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
I had first used Gen UCAN around this time last year. I had read an article on Jonah, the boy who inspired the product. (note that is not the same article, since it was last year, I have no idea what it was) It detailed his situation and how UCAN helped him. I asked a friend who knows a lot of running products if she ever tried it. She is a 3:03 marathoner and let me know she has it before a marathon and doesn’t have a gel until mile 20-22. That left me incredibly intrigued.
Less gels? I’m in (you can even make your own gels out of them with less water)
I had an orange packet and 2 packets of Cran Raz in my pantry prior to the shipment.
We received Chocolate, Lemon, Orange, and Cran Raz. Also included was a shaker bottle. (THANK YOU!) It is nice to have an extra since I use my other one after my run to make my protein. Chocolate in the bottle.
This portion is direct from the website:
“Generation UCAN, powered by SuperStarch, stabilizes blood sugar and minimizes insulin response, delivering several scientifically validated benefits:
Optimized performance with steady energy when you need it, without the spike and crash of sugar and maltodextrin based products.
Sustained energy with time-released delivery of glucose, keeping you above baseline longer.
Enhanced fat burn allowing you to improve body composition as you burn fat for fuel during your workout and keep burning fat while you recover due to suppressed insulin response.
Speedier recovery as your body is able to use protein to repair and restore your muscles rather than for energy, since blood sugar is stable.
No gastric distress, because SuperStarch is a large molecule that passes through the stomach quickly and is digested slowly in the intestines.”
The bolded points are enough to intrigue any runner. I was psyched to give it a try. I first had a Blueberry Pom last year during my injury on a 2+ hour gym day. I had the energy to bike and swim without getting hungry or fatigued during the day. I agree with them all for the most part.
However, I do want to mention a few cons before I talk about how great it is. I’d prefer to end on a positive note.
I have a pretty tolerant stomach. Gels for the most part agree with me, I can deal with the taste and consistencies.
I’ve tried and ran with Orange, lemonade, Cran Raz, and Blueberry Pom. Unfortunately, I could not get the chocolate down. I had a couple of sips and it reminded me of flat dark soda. (I have heard if you mix with coffee or almond milk it tastes great!!!) Orange and Lemonade tasted okay. They surprisingly didn’t agree with me. I felt like losing my insides via my mouth my entire run with them, and one was a speed workout. Thankfully, Erin mentioned that Lemonade was her favorite. In general I don’t like orange or lemonade flavored things. Those are my only real complaints. I love Cran Raz and Blueberry Pom as they taste great and really agree with me.
I also found out that the chocolate flavor is VEGAN! Awesome!
I thought the packaging was super pretty and inspiring.
I believe my first run I used UCan on I went 12 miles. No gels, I had some water but not a huge need. I felt great after. It was nice not to have to carry and eat a gel on the run.
I also remember having it on this run, mainly because it looked kind of weird to drink on the bus on my way to NRC. I was so nervous that day. I woke up and wasn’t able to fuel as normal since it would take me a while to get down there and I knew I couldn’t have my UCAN 1 hour + before my run. As you can see, that run went very well for me. I also did not have a single gel on that run. I’m getting closer to that two hour mark where I can go without a gel during a run. Success. Now it is just finding which gels, or making a UCAN gel to go with it.
I was able to also try it on few runs recently. They weren’t particularly hot days, I’m curious as to how I would feel with it on a hot day. I also haven’t been able to try it during a long run and grabbing electrolyte drink during the run mixing with the UCAN in my stomach.
I try to have it anywhere from 20-35 minutes pre run and use it for longer runs 10+ or speed.
I haven’t had the cinnamon, it sounds interesting. Same for the plain.
I do love the taste of the UCAN Hydrate. I was chatting with the reps at the Houston Marathon Expo and they were so informative about the product. They did let me know that the colder the better for super starch and 8-12 oz is the sweet spot. I lean to more of the 12+ oz option. That information helped.
UCAN can be purchased in tubs or packets. I would buy a tub of Cran Raz, less waste and probably more cost effective. Bars, protein, and plain super starch also exist.
I can’t wait to stock up for marathon training!
You can use code BIBRAVE to save 15% and get some flavors for yourself!