Last week I had the opportunity to attend a Mile High Run Club class on behalf of Clif Bar. Chances are, you’re probably familiar with Clif Bar. They recently launched two new flavors for their Organic Energy Food line, Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and Banana Maple Oatmeal. These pouches are for before working out with a focus on real food and and non GMO ingredients you can actually pronounce.
The line was created with endurance athletes in mind and come in a little pouch so they’re easy to grab on the go or consume mid-workout. As a busy New Yorker who barely has time to shower in the morning, let alone eat a legit breakfast before running out the door, it’s also a great standby for breakfast 🙂 If you have some extra time apparently they’re delicious in pancake form as well– all you have to do is add an egg.
While I was training for the NYC Marathon I was seriously disappointed with the lack of real food fuel options out there for long distance running. It kind of blows my mind that while many runners are super conscious about eating “real food” when they’re not literally running, the fueling options out there are loaded with strange ingredients.
I never got into Gu or weird gels and stuck with eating squeeze-y apple sauce and the least offensive energy chews I could find. The truth was, during long runs I really wanted real food and not just some sugary standby. I wish I would’ve known about this option from Clif because it would’ve been my BFF during those long runs.
The class was lead by Michael Melinotis. As you know, I haven’t done a ton of running since the marathon, just a Barry’s Bootcamp class here and there. Of course we were taking the hardest class MHRC offers, The Distance which is 60 minutes of serious running. Holy crap, I thought I was going to die. Running is hard— especially when you haven’t done much of it lately.
My favorite part of the class was the last 5 minutes when Michael lead us through a simulated version of the Boston Marathon course, guiding us through the various mile check points and what the terrain is like at that point. I probably will never run the Boston Marathon, but even doing a fake simulated version of the course was surprisingly exciting.
After class we had some much deserved breakfast and got to learn more about the development of Real Food line. I love that they worked with endurance athlete Steph Howe (she WON a 100k race which is over 62 miles…) to really create something by athletes and for athletes.
It was also great to catch up with some bloggers friends Meaghan (The Fit Crasher) and Amanda (Shapin Up)
Both these ladies are training for the upcoming Brooklyn Half. They are total running beasts and put me to shame during class. There’s a reason why I consider myself a retired runner now…
Thanks Clif Bar + MHRC for a great event.
photo credit: Katie Rowan
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