I started competitive running when I was 13 and transitioned into running as part of physical fitness routine over a 20 year span in the military. I've always had a sensitive stomach when it came to running. I'd get gut aches and side aches quite easily if I didn't give myself at least a couple of hours after eating before a run. I also had a high metabolism and would run out of steam with long hard work outs. I've never used any gels or other products of any kind. During a half marathon, I took shots of gatorade and that made me cramp up. I don't drink coffee and do not use caffeine much because it doesn't seem to do much for me out of coffee or soda.
I was given several packets of the Cherry Shot Bloks as a free sample at our gymnasium. Before using it on runs, I tried it out for taste and for any energy boosts. I get up early and often get little sleep. Here were some of my initial impressions.
Taste. I do not like cherry flavoring. I do like real cherries. These black cherry shot bloks taste more like real cherries than any other cherry flavoring I've ever tried. I am a big fan of the taste. It is sweet, but it's sugar, what do you expect? I've also tried the strawberry shot bloks. I love strawberry flavoring, but those had a different taste to them. I prefer the black cherry over the strawberry when it comes to taste. I still like the strawberry flavored ones because they don't have caffeine and that is good for night workouts where I want to go to bed afterwards.
Texture and size is fine. I usually cut it in half in my mouth and they sit nicely in my cheeks as I suck on them. The texture is like a smooth, easy to chew, much more dissolvable gummy bear. I prefer the "gumminess" of these over gummy bears. They are firm and smooth without being overly hard. I chew them up for quick consumption. I suck on them for a steady source of energy and they work well this way.
Energy. Between the sugars, pectin and caffeine, these simply work. I'll eat three of the six bloks in a package in the morning before working out and they give me a little pick up. Depending on how sleep deprived I am, they work good to great in spurts of 30 minutes to several hours. The caffeine in these things seem to actually work for me. I use them as my "morning coffee" even when not working out. If I need to concentrate on something that the Z Monster would otherwise claim me, I'll pop one or few of these and I'm alert.
I eat a blok right before a run and I do not get a side ache. During a hard 4 mile run, I ate one blok at the 3 mile point and could notice a definite burst in energy that helped me finish out the run strong. Of course, you'll get better benefit if you are actually in shape. These things won't work miracles. During the run, I did get a slight twinge of a side ache coming on, but it did not fully come on. I can't complain about that at all!
For you grunts, this is an ideal source of energy for those long ruck marches. I wish I had them when I was ground pounding miles on end earlier in my career.
I absolutely love the black cherry shot bloks. They work for me in every aspect I'd want and then some.
PROS:
- Tastes good
- Boosts energy levels
- Caffeine is effective for workout and every day pick me up use
- Easy to digest and nice on sensitive stomaches
- Package is easy to open and use during workout
- Blok concept is efficient and effective for consumption and measuring doses
CONS:
- A bit pricey
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Reduced air and/or water in the product or packaging for more efficient transportation.
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Compact by Design (Amazon-developed Certification) Compact by Design identifies products that, while they may not always look very different, have a more efficient design. By reducing water and/or air in the product or packaging, these become more efficient to ship. At scale, these small differences in product size and weight lead to significant carbon emission reductions.
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Compact by Design (Amazon-developed Certification)products have reduced water and/or air in the product or packaging for more efficient transportation.
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Compact by Design (Amazon-developed Certification)products have reduced water and/or air in the product or packaging for more efficient transportation.
USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to the USDA Organic standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors. Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input.
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Packaging efficiency
Reduced air and/or water in the product or packaging for more efficient transportation.
As certified by
Compact by Design (Amazon-developed Certification) Compact by Design identifies products that, while they may not always look very different, have a more efficient design. By reducing water and/or air in the product or packaging, these become more efficient to ship. At scale, these small differences in product size and weight lead to significant carbon emission reductions.
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Compare with similar items
This Item  Clif Shot Bloks, Black Cherry, 2.12 oz (Pack of 18) |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | $12.99 | -33% $30.06 List: $45.00 | $43.94 | -5% $31.18 List: $32.73 |
| Price Per Unit | — | $2.06 / Ounce | $0.80 / Ounce | $1.15 / Ounce | $1.23 / Ounce |
| Delivery | — | Get it May 10 - 17 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Flavor | |||||
| Value for money | |||||
| For working out | |||||
| Easy to swallow | |||||
| Sold By | — | TA National Trading | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| flavor | Black Cherry | Orange | Black Cherry | Orange | Variety Pack |
| number of pieces | 18 | 3 | 18 | 18 | 12 |
| weight | 1.07 kilograms | 2.1 ounces | 37.8 ounces | 1.83 pounds | 25.44 ounces |
| ingredients | Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Brown Rice Syrup Solids, Pectin, Citric Acid, Colored With Black Carrot Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Organic Sunflower Oil, Carnauba Wax. | — | Nutrition facts and ingredients shown here may differ from what you find in your delivery. Please refer to the actual packaging for current information for this product. | Nutrition facts and ingredients shown here may differ from what you find in your delivery. Please refer to the actual packaging for current information for this product. | Nutrition facts and ingredients shown here may differ from what you find in your delivery. Please refer to the actual packaging for current information for this product. |
| package type | Pouch | Pouch | Pouch | Pouch | Pouch |
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