Yeah, it’s true: almost every runner has experienced some kind of stomach issue on a run or in a race. So we’re here to help you learn how to avoid and manage gastrointestinal, or GI, issues on a run. Learn all about it in the newest episode of CLIFCast.
It’s no secret that life as a Clif Bar employee is incredibly active. With an on-site gym and personal trainers, we’re constantly pushed to our own personal limits. So it seemed a logical and achievable next step for 11 of us to sign up for the so-called “Toughest Event on the Planet”—Tough Mudder. Or so we thought.
But first, we want to share the love! Courtesy of CLIF Builder’s Bar, we’re giving away one sweet Tough Mudder prize package to a lucky tweeter. Simply tweet #ToughBuilders any time before this upcoming Friday, October 12 and we’ll pick one winner at random to be announced the following Monday, October 15. We’ve even got a handy Builder’s Bar protein calculator that will help you plan your race nutrition.
The winner will receive:
Are you ready for some sun, ocean and surf? The Long Beach International Marathon doesn’t disappoint, taking you on a sunshine and blue sky filled tour of this gorgeous California area. Boasting one of the least technical courses the CLIF Bar Pace Team tackles, Long Beach is a great place (weather permitting) for a fast time with fantastic views. Settle in to learn a bit more about the course, a couple of tricks to keep you focused, and a bit more about the sights and sounds you’ll see and hear.
Long Beach begins with a long series of “waves,” staged five minutes apart. Sound terrible? It’s not at all! The start – while crowded – moves quite quickly and smoothly, and in 2011, this new starting system made the boardwalk portion of the race (we’ll get to that soon) so much more enjoyable!
Named one of Runner’s World’s Top 10 Most Scenic and Fastest courses, this stunning marathon begins in the (chilly) Pine Valley Mountains, then takes you on a wild ride back down to the town of St. George. Though beautiful, the St. George Marathon is one of the most difficult runs on the Clif Bar Pace Team’s schedule, and leaves the pacers’ quads beat up for days! The good news is that St. George is a fast course, but only when run properly. Running St. George requires equal parts strategy, patience and determination – and we’re here to explain how to create the winning combination on this unique course.
Have you ever been to the mountains, at altitude, before dawn?
If not, a word of warning: it’s really cold up there. The St. George Marathon starts at an altitude of 5,240 feet, and that’s enough for a deep chill to set in. Dozen bonfires spread throughout the starting area will do a good job of keeping you warm, but make sure you have an ample supply of throwaway clothes as well; this will make your pre-race experience that much more enjoyable. Another surprise? St. George will begin in the dark, and you may not be able to see your watch for a good three to four miles. A headlamp, if you have one, or a small keychain-like flashlight could also make the early parts of your run just a bit less stressful.
Do yourself a favor and don’t hang out at the fires too long; a unique part of the St. George experience is watching all the runners dart from the fires into the corrals at the very last minute. After meeting your pace team in the starting area about 20 minutes before the start, the race will at last be underway. And yes, it’s a downhill start, but that doesn’t mean you should take off sprinting.
The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, appropriately billed as “The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America,” is one of the scenic highlights of the year for the CLIF Bar Pace Team. Beginning in downtown Minneapolis, it takes runners past four gorgeous lakes; through stunning neighborhoods dotted with opulent homes; along the Mississippi River and past the St. Paul Cathedral to a screamingly fast and stunning finish at the state capitol building. With more than 300,000 enthusiastic fans and 10 official Cheer Zones, it’s a fall marathon made in heaven. Except for one little challenge – the course consists of a fast start followed by a very hilly and very challenging finish. But that’s where the pace team comes in!
The Twin Cities Marathon begins at 8am sharp, which means your pacers will be lined up in the starting corrals by 7:30 am sharp. If you’re hoping to run with us, that means that you should also be getting lined up at 7:30. We know it’s tempting to hang out in the Metrodome with friends, warmth, and indoor bathrooms, but the longer you wait, the harder it is to get to us. Line up early, then use those final moments before the race to center yourself and relax. And remember: there’s no need to stay on your feet for that extra half hour! Bring a garbage bag or an extra sweatshirt, and have a seat on the road! Your feet will thank you later in the day.
We like getting our heart rates up, taking a big breath of fresh air, savoring delicious food. But we also love telling stories and here's where we type 'em up. (BTW, it works both ways; leave a comment—please and thank you.)
