Disclaimer: Huma gel provided me with free samples of Huma chia energy gel. All opinions expressed, as always, are my own.
I haven’t run this week, since I’m still recovering from whatever the heck I did to my hip flexor. But I have something to share with you that’s long overdue to take my mind off my injury.
I was contacted by a company called Huma recently, which has created an energy gel that is 100% all natural and based on blended chia seeds. They also promised that the gels wouldn’t cause any stomach issues like most other gels I’ve tried, so of course I had to check it out for myself. I haven’t had much luck in the running fuel department and most gels/chomps like Gu just make me nauseous during long runs. Enter Huma!
About the company:
I really wanted to share some background of the company since one of the founders is a former Army Lieutenant. Since my brother is in the Army currently this hit home, and I am always happy when I can support soldiers. The idea for Huma came from Lieutenant McCollum, who was serving in Iraq and learned about a Mexican Indian tribe that used chia seeds to fuel themselves on ultramarathons. The company is Nashville-based and run by two MBA students who really care a great deal about providing a great product.
Huma Gels
About the product:
Huma is:
- Tasty! Its made of 100% real fruit, with no artificial flavors
- Easy to digest and good for sensitive stomachs
- Easy to eat without drinking a ton of water
- 100% all natural: based on a chia seed blend
I can personally vouch for each of the above and am always thrilled to share with you natural products. I generally try to eat clean and avoid artificial anything. Huma definitely fits the bill in this department. There are currently only two flavors: Strawberry and Apples & Cinnamon. While I wasn’t too sure of the Apples and Cinnamon at first, I did like it. But I absolutely loved the Strawberry the most. It was delicious and so super easy to eat while running. I didn’t even have to stop to get it down!
Check out the nutrition facts here for more of the details.
What did I think?:
I tested these out on two of my long runs before the Nike DC Half. I usually take gels at around the 6 mile mark depending on how long I’m running and how long I’m feeling that day. I did the same with these, taking them at just about the time before I generally start to feel a little tired. In the past when I’ve taken gels during a run I have to stop running, scarf it down, drink water, and walk for a little bit before running again. And then soon after my stomach starts acting up. Not fun.
But with Huma I had none of that. I was able to take a gel while running without any problems, although I did slow down a bit because I’m not very coordinated to do two things at once. The chia seeds in this make all the difference! But for the first time I didn’t feel like I needed water after taking the gel (but I did anyway just because its habit, and also because water helps my breathing). But the one thing I wondered was whether or not my stomach would start hurting.
Miles passed after I took the gels, I waited for the discomfort but it never came on either of my runs. This is one of the biggest selling factors for me and I’m pretty sure Huma will be fueling me when I run the NYC Marathon this fall. I needed something like this to get me through 26.2 miles with a happy stomach! Plus it gave me the energy I needed to complete the run.
Interested in checking out Huma gel? Click here to try a sample pack. Trust me, you won’t regret it especially everyone like me with sensitive stomachs. This product is great for runners but also cyclists who want some quick energy!
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Also, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the mommies out there. I spent the day celebrating with my own amazing, wonderful mom. The ladies of the house spent the day planting flowers in the backyard: our long-standing Mother’s Day tradition. Momma Run Like a Grl is the best and there is absolutely no mother better than her. I love you mom!
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Also, I wanted to announce the Vega Prize Pack Winner! It is…
Jonathan Levitt
Please contact me within 48 hours at runlikeagrlmegan [at] gmail [dot] com. CONGRATS!
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What do you use to fuel your runs?
What did you do for mothers day?
. Anddd this is my attempt at being trendy while posing on a wall…
