NUUN

"It's always Nuun somewhere." --Meagan Nedlo.

Now that temperatures are pushing 100 and runners are just beginning their training for fall marathons we wanted to again emphasize the need for proper hydration during your workouts. Run For Your Life has introduced a new electrolyte replacement product from Seattle-based NUUN (pronounced noon). Here is a quick description from the company:

Nuun is:

portable--nuun comes in a tough tube that is water resistant and perfect for carrying in your hand, bike jersey, pack…wherever. 1 tube = 6 litres (1.5 gallons)

balanced--we spent years researching the levels of electrolytes needed for the product to be absorbed the quickest and to provide optimal salt balance to prevent cramping and maximize hydration.

refreshing--designed for the active palate, nuun’s got a light flavour that’s not overwhelming when you’re on the go. if you’ve ever watered down sports drinks because they’re too strong, then you’ve made them less easy to absorb; this ultimately defeats the purpose of using them. some call the nuun taste ‘tart’ and that’s probably the best description we’ve found yet, other than ‘just right’!

simple--a bottle of water, 1 nuun per 500ml (~16oz) … doesn’t matter where you are, how windy it is, how much space you’ve got – drop in nuun and you’re good to go.

no energy--nuun has no carbohydrate. we did this for two reasons:

1) your choice - we believe that you are the best one to manage your carb intake. gels? bars? bananas? pretzels and fruit? your call. we’re all different so what’s right for you isn’t right for us. combining hydration and energy as all other sports drinks do is therefore counter-intuitive to us. we believe you should have the choice on how to refuel.

2) more product - sugar (the carb) is big and bulky. adding even small amounts of sugar bulks up the tabs and results in less drink. if you’re like us, you want a product that actually lasts and goes the distance for a ride/run…so there’s no sugar.

no powder--how much powder to use? where’s the scoop? lost the bottle to measure out the liquid? where to put the trash? windy conditions? not with nuun – 1 tab per 500ml/~16oz.

not fizzy--nuun is an effervescent so that it dissolves quickly and ends up properly mixed (no need for you to shake). but once dissolved, it’s not fizzy…it’s flat.

in the gym--gyms are notorious for draining you out. nuun’s been great for our friends who visit gyms regularly. by the way, you should know the dangers of not cleaning out bottles after they’ve been filled with sugar solutions. nuun’s lack of sugar means you just need to rinse out your bottle and you won’t come back to a furry biochemical disaster next time you open your bag, which we think is rather clever.

bike and run--this is where it started. going out on long rides and refueling half way meant rummaging through the convenience store; often settling for something we’d never heard of, or just going with water. with nuun you start out with the same drink you finish with, and know that on rides off the beaten track, you have a serious electrolyte hydration source and something that works for you.

in the pool--perfect for lap swimming and now used by several swim groups and instructors we know. hydration is critical while swimming, but given the length of the workout, energy isn’t as important during the exercise. nuun’s focus on total hydration in a portable format (nestled in your bag) is perfect, especially for sea and lake swims.

on the trails--you’re purposely not near convenience stores and often away for days. powders are difficult to carry and horrible to use in windy conditions. Just use your water filter to refill, drop in the nuun tablet.

BEN--

I haven't been as disciplined about staying properly hydrated as some folks. I usually forget to drink enough water before my run and I certainly don't do well with hydration drinks. One of my biggest issues is that I've become accustomed to drinking sugary fluids like Gatorade or Powerade (I love an ice-cold bottle of orange Gatorade).

I've tried Gu Brew, I've tried HEED but both powders didn't taste very well especially when the water that they were mixed in became warmer.

Dexter and I had the opportunity to sit down with the NUUN rep. and have a tasting session with the stuff. It was kind of like wine tasting except there was no old-world decor, no oak barrels and no bucket to spit into. I got to sample all of the flavors and was pleasantly surprised. I would say, right now, my favorite flavors are Orange Ginger and Kona Cola and although NUUN isn't as sweet as some of the drinks I've had in the past it is definitely refreshing.

One of the best features for me was the fact that there was no "powder packet." I didn't have to buy a tub or individual servings that I usually spill all around my bottle. I just took the little plastic tube and when I was ready, just dropped in the little tablet and watched it dissolve.

The company says that NUUN isn't fizzy, but I found that there is still a slight bubbly feel when the water hits your mouth which makes it even more refreshing.

Finally, the most important feature is the electrolyte replacement. I've used NUUN on several runs, my swim workouts and hiking. Because it's been so hot and I've sweated buckets, I never felt sluggish or as fatigued after finishing off some NUUN.

Stay tuned for reviews from Dexter