Clif Bar Inc. Training
Energize your Bicycling with CLIF® BAR and CLIF SHOT®
Here are a few nutritional things to keep in mind for training and racing.
Foods high in carbohydrate are excellent as a pre-race meal. Why? During both training and racing, carbohydrate is your body's preferred source of fuel.
Eating a CLIF BAR 2-3 hours before a long training run or ride is proven to provide sustained energy, meaning a moderate release of energy for your working muscles. It is a well-proven fact that carbohydrate ingested before an event helps to increase performance. Having some carbohydrate circulating in your blood stream prior to an event allows your body to spare additional carbohydrate being stored in your muscles from previous days of "carbo loading" for later in the race.
CLIF SHOT energy gel contains 24 grams (100 calories) of quick and easily digestible carbohydrate in a small, convenient package. Taking CLIF SHOT 15-30 minutes before an event gives your body a kick-start while it warms up. During a long ride, you should consume 2-3 SHOTS per hour with a swig of water to help maintain energy levels and again spare stored carbohydrate for later in the race. Research shows that 30-60 grams of carbohydrate every hour will help improve performance.
One of the keys to better performance in training and racing is developing a schedule for consuming CLIF SHOT and sticking to it. Set an alarm on your watch to remind you that it's time to feed! It's imperative that you deliver carbohydrates to your working muscles before they run out, not after they are already depleted.
Because everyone's digestive systems work differently we recommend that you try out CLIF BAR and CLIF SHOT during your training to see what timing and combinations work best for you. Happy training!
Tara DelloIacono Thies, RD
Clif Bar Inc.'s on-staff Registered Dietitian
If you have any questions about Clif Bar Inc. products please feel free to visit the Clif Bar Inc. web site at http://www.clifbar.com or call Clif Bar Inc. direct at 1-800-884-5254 and ask for consumer services.
