Race Fuel Product Review: Glukos Energy

Through several years of running, the last two of which were focused mainly on the marathon distance, I've been searching far and near for a race fuel that would work with my "somewhat" picky system.  I have tried natural products, standard "performance" drinks, bars, gels, gummies/blocks, and even coconut water based fluids, hoping to find one that would agree with me and still be easy to use while racing and/or training; they have all been either too sweet, too difficult to transport and consume, or they (pardon the indelicacies) irritated my bowels.  My training and racing was actually starving my body because I couldn't palette existing fuels, more than 2 gels during a marathon would actually make me retch.  At several periods during training I had dropped down to the mid 150's and around 5% body fat, that worried my family and friends (not me, I was blissfully stupid).  My inability to find a compatible fuel has kept me from achieving my one and only goal; to be the best runner that I can be.

My sister, Charlene, and I first heard about Glukos Energy from the email and social media posts put out by the Competitor Group just prior to the 2016 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona race weekend after Glukos had been named the official Energy Gel and Gummy of the entire Rock n Roll Marathon series. We read the informational pages on their website GlukosEnergy.com ; about the company itself, the science behind their products, and about the product's nutritional information.  There was more than enough in those pages to pique our interest (certainly enough to make stopping at their booth a priority at the race's Expo).

The first person we talked to was front and center at the table, and in a smart looking suit.  Charlene spied him as we approached and told me, "There's the Owner, or CEO.  Definitely someone important and in the know."  She was right; We shook the hand of, and introduced ourselves to, Mick McCormick CEO of Glukos.  He really set the tone of the experience; he was polite, enthusiastic, and as knowledgeable as you'd hope from a company executive.  Charlene and I tried a sample of the Glukos Energy Gel at his invitation:  The flavor was mild and not at all sweet, it was also very easy to "consume" as it went down just like water (which is the first ingredient after all).  My sister and I looked at each other with essentially the same thought, "This just might be the answer to my running woes".  Mick suggested we talk to Mark Jensen  (also at the expo just a short distance away), to get a fellow competitor's opinion and viewpoint, as well as the formulator's technical expertise.  Mark's enthusiasm for Glukos was naturally high but it was his understanding and experience with the requirements of high demand athletics that really spoke to me.  He had great advice for me toward rebuilding my marathon conditioning and creating a fueling plan that would help me reach my goals.  He also made a statement that has stuck with me to this date, "It [Glukos] is essentially an I.V. for a runner".

Charlene and I have been training with Glukos since then; both of us making extensive use of the Energy Tablets, she's also been using the Energy Gummies while I've leaned more towards the Energy Gels.  After these have been so favorable to us both we decided to ask Mark to give us a little bit of his time for a "Phone Interview" to talk more about the company, the products, the future of Glukos, and the high level athletes associated with them.  You are more than welcome to listen to the interview here:  Running Siblings interview with Mark Jensen creator of Glukos

Here are a few highlights that I enjoyed from the interview:

Mark Jensen  (an accomplished runner and triathlete in his own right) decided to create a type of fueling system that would work better for him and other athletes, something that would process quickly without being just another super sweet goo.  The epiphany that inspired his creation(s)?  A simple medical I.V.; Glucose, water, and electrolytes (not simple scientifically but simple by way of not being complex and chemical laden).  There was the "I.V. for runners" reference again, I still enjoy that thought.
Glukos Energy products are already in approximately 1000 retail stores across the country and Mark is projecting that they'll be in 8 to 10 thousand stores by the end of 2016.  While having the ability to order everything by the case online is fantastic (and a money saver), we do have the unfortunate tendency to run ourselves out before reordering; having the ability to buy a tube or two of Tablets or a few packets of the Gels locally is important.
The rather exciting Marathon Olympic Trials, recently held on February 13, 2016 in LA, featured a strong 3rd place finish by Jared Ward, one of the Glukos Energy Elite Athletes.  I had to ask about how an Olympic quality (and now US Olympic Team Member) marathon runner fuels on course.  We never get to see or hear those details during the event television coverage.

Please also read the interview Mark had with Jared shortly after the Olympic Trials success,  it is a great opportunity to peak into how a pro uses the same product I have on my running belt:  Glukos Energy Interview with new Olympian Jared Ward

Charlene and I both want to thank Mark Jensen for spending so much time with us and for making this wonderful race fuel.  I've been needing a product the will work with my crazy picky system and I really think this is my answer.

Please read my sister's blog on her Glukos experiences, her point of view is very different from mine and insightful.  FabRunning Glukos review