[Index]  [Key Topics]  [Site Search]   

	UCAN Experiment

See the Index for more topics, information, hints and tips.

I have no affiliation with UCAN. I have to buy it just like you.

Up to this point in my running, I have been totally fueled by gel. But I've recently heard several podcast about people using Generation UCAN™ and thought I should give it a try. Below are my experiences as I experimented on myself.

Simple sugars like honey and agave nectar are very small molecules and are quickly broken down and used by your body. Maltodextrin which is used in most gels and other products is a larger molecule that takes longer for your body to process.

Generation UCAN Sports Nutrition™ is made of much larger complex carbohydrates called super starches. They take longer to digest so they don't spike your blood glucose. They are supposed to enhance fat burning so you can avoid hitting the wall. It's supposed to cause fewer stomach issues and give you better performance since your body doesn't have to work digesting food. I found it to be a little thick like a thin shake. The flavor and texture are actually very pleasant, a welcome change from the super sweet gels.

• 8/23/2015
  Purchased four individual servings of Generation UCAN Sports Nutrition™. It was a little expensive $3.50 for a single serving size (you can get it in bulk for about $2 per serving). Got two cranberry-raspberry and two orange. Tried the first one today. It was a little difficult to mix up. Needed lots of shaking and it felt like it made the bottle warmer. Used the cranberry raspberry. I'm not a fan of raspberry, but I found it actually tasted pretty good. Did a 4.9 mile trail run. It set in my stomach without any problem whatsoever. Shook the bottle up well before every sip. Felt good during the run. Ran it in 1:15, average pace 15:20.
• 8/27/2105
  Tried it again this evening, but drank the whole serving about an hour before my run. Mixed with cold water this time and it did much better. Did the same trail run as last time, but felt so good I added an extra 0.6 miles. I would have gone longer but it was getting dark. Ran it in 1:14, average pace 13:30. Felt really good and strong through the whole run, especially in the last mile when I cranked up my pace by a couple of minutes per mile. Would have been even faster if I hadn't stopped to escort a copperhead snake across the trail. I was impressed and a little surprised with how good I felt. Anxious to try it out on a longer run.
• 8/29/2015
  Tried it during an 8 mile training run this morning. Took one package 30 minutes before and made one thicker and took it during the run. I used the orange flavor, but it was pretty mild. I actually prefer the cranberry-raspberry better. They both had a little of a chalky taste. It worked fine during my run. Absolutely no stomach issues at all and I felt like I had good energy throughout. May need to try on longer runs.
• 9/26/2015
  I'm just not happy with the gel nutrition I've been using. Decided that if I was going to use UCAN during my next Half that I needed to practice more with it. I broke down and purchased a 30 serving tub of lemonade flavored. Tried it on an 11 mile run today. Had one serving 45 minutes before run and two mixed as a gel during the run. Had very good energy throughout. Did the last six miles 20 seconds per mile faster than the first half. Heart rate was low throughout and I had plenty of energy left at the end. Need to try it in a distance race next.
• 10/3/2015
  Did a 15K race today. Used one serving before and two as gel during. Used one scoop of Endurolyte™ powder in each. Had a little trouble mixing the gel. Had to use a knife to stir the bottom of the squeeze bottle. Lemonade is not the best choice for mornings, but I do appreciate the mild flavor and not being so sweet. Energy felt pretty good throughout. Need to try two before and two or three during my runs.
• 10/10/2015
  Today I used it on a hilly 12 mile run. Used two servings about 45 minutes before and two as gel during the run. Took some at mile 2, 4, 6, and 8. My energy was good throughout. Confident that it will work during my next half. Using two scoops in a five ounce bottle proved to be too think. I had to add water several times to make it usable.