Clif Bar Blog

The Company You Keep

2013-06-04T16:14:00-07:00

At CLIF Bar, we feel pretty lucky to have some pretty amazing friends who live within the conscientious “sweet spot” between outdoor adventure and conservation. One such friend is Gregg Treinish.

As a relentless adventurer, Gregg found himself one day feeling that his large-scale pursuits like hiking the Appalachian Trail and trekking the 7,800 mile length of the Andes were a tad “selfish,” as he puts it. He envisioned a time when he could find other ways for exploration to benefit others, and the natural connection happened when he started to think of the others who, like himself, belong to the wilderness: the trees, the Grizzlies, the rocks, the Wolverine and the Pine Marten. The connection between the scientific issues impacting those closest to the wild outdoors (the critters) were inexorably linked to those who always want to be close to it (all of us…duh).

So Gregg did the only thing that any self-respecting, science-loving explorer would do – he founded a nonprofit dedicated to bringing together the adventure community and the scientific community, Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation (ASC).

Gregg’s a modest guy from Bozeman, Montana – but his passion for protecting the places we play runs deep. His story continues to inspire others around him and has been featured recently in such outlets as the New York Times as well as National Geographic, which this past month named Gregg as one of 17 “Emerging Explorers” for 2013. Elsewhere, he works diligently to spread his scientific method of exploration to everyone from fellow adventurers and professional athletes (like Team CLIF Bar) to the next generation of conservation-minded outdoor enthusiasts like the students from inner-city West Oakland Middle School.

Gregg is currently in the midst of a Crowdrise funding campaign to support bringing these future Adventurers and Scientists to the wild. More often than not, these guided trips that Gregg leads are the first time any of them have left the inner city to experience the majesty of the backcountry.

We applaud our friend Gregg in his efforts – and want to bring attention to the cause so that others might be inspired to join our support. CLIF Bar will match every dollar donated from now until June 14th, up to $2,500. Check out more of the story here, and we thank you.

2013 Ogden Marathon Course Preview

2013-05-14T15:19:00-07:00

Whether you’ve chosen the Zion’s Bank Ogden Marathon for the lush scenery or the screamingly fast course, you’re in for a truly memorable run through an idyllic part of Utah. The CLIF Bar Pace Team is excited to be returning to Ogden for our third consecutive year, and we’re here today to guide you through your upcoming run.

The Ogden Marathon starts at an elevation of 5,400 feet. Depending upon where you live and train, this shouldn’t be high enough to present a problem to your race, especially since the course drops throughout the race. At the same time, don’t be shocked (or nervous) if the air feels just a little thinner up at the start. The chilly desert temperatures, combined with nerves and that bit of altitude, can be just enough to worry you. We promise there’s no need; once your race gets going, you’ll settle in to your breathing pattern and start dropping down those hills.

But let’s head back to that start for a few minutes. If you’re running the FULL marathon, there’s only one way you’re getting to the start – and it’s a bus that leaves from the Ben Lomond Hotel, located at 2510 Washington Boulevard. Busses load and leave at 5 am, and they’re not going to wait. Make sure you prepare for the early wake-up call and present yourself at that bus pick-up promptly at 5 am, if not sooner. Frontrunner trains do not open early enough on Saturday to get you to the start, and there is NO parking whatsoever up at the race start. Full marathon runners, we repeat: you’re taking the bus.

Expect some chilly temperatures once you reach the actual starting area. Race morning lows average between 35 and 45 degrees, so it’s a good idea to have plenty of warm throwaway clothes (you can donate these to charity by using several drop bins at the starting line) and some gloves to keep your hands warm. There will also be a number of self-contained fire pits set up at the start, so the earlier you arrive, the closer – and warmer – you can be. Another starting line challenge? Well, it’s mud. That’s right, mud. The start, though beautiful, is basically a field on the side of a country road – and if there’s been any recent rain or humidity, you’re going to be dealing with mud. To make your pre-race life easier and neater, be sure to bring a garbage bag or two to sit on, as well as two plastic grocery bags for your feet. While we tend to shy away from plastic as an environmental rule, tying these bags around your shoes pre-race can be the difference between heavy, wet and muddy feet – or dry ones.

After we gather at the start (pace leaders will line up on the right hand side of the street, with large signs indicating their times and red and white balloons), and enjoy the pre-race festivities, it’s finally time to run! And the Ogden Marathon certainly makes it easy, with its opening six miles a quick descent down Highway 39, along the Ogden River. You’re going to be so eager to run, and run FAST through here, but it’s imperative that you stay with your chosen pace team leader. Downhill running, over time, is much more devastating to your quads and hamstrings than uphill, but the damage you’re doing to all those small muscle fibers won’t truly be felt until later in the race. What damage? When running downhill, your body absorbs three to four times your body weight in impact with each step. Add that up, and then add another twenty miles of running on to that. Yeah, that damage.

Run smart and easy those first six miles, and spend all that extra energy on taking in the beautiful scenery, the sunrise and the livestock. Running the relay? You’re done after a nice flat mile takes you to the mile 7 marker.

Marathon runners will continue on a flatter stretch of road, turning onto Highway 166 at mile 8. From here, we’ve got nice, continuous flat road heading all the way to our halfway point. You want to use this time to really settle into your race day, and to continue enjoying the stunning desert scenery. Beautiful views of the Pineview Resevoir, Ogden Valley, ski resorts and rural pastures will abound, as your pace leader coaches you on conserving any extra energy for the later, more difficult miles of the race. You should still be feeling relatively fresh and strong through these miles, though it’s perfectly normal not to feel as spiffy at the half marathon mark as you did at mile 2. Feeling like you need a boost of energy through this second section of the race? Pick up a Clif SHOT from the aid station at mile 9. We’ll have several different flavors available, and your pace leader will call out as many as they can, and even try to grab a few extra ones for the team!

As we head toward that 13.1 mile marker, it’s time for a pop quiz: what is the REAL halfway point of the marathon? If you answered mile 20, you’re right – but that shouldn’t take away from the thrill of being halfway done with the miles. The half marathon mark also offers a heavy dose of mental energy: it’s the second relay exchange zone, the leftover starting line from the half marathon race, and a very popular spectator spot nestled in the midst of some historic and architecturally beautiful buildings. Take some deep breaths through this special spot, and absorb as much of the energy as you can to carry you through that second half marathon – and the only real “hill” the Ogden Marathon has to offer.

That’s right, as you head toward mile 14, your pace leader will have you focus on calm, steady breathing and a little bit of “recovery” from those first 13 miles as we head toward the challenge of mile 14. While the hill we’re climbing is only a half mile long and not overly steep, it is, nevertheless, a real wakeup call for quads and hamstrings that haven’t been asked to do too much climbing yet. Stay relaxed and calm on the climb, and let your pace leader worry about any time that we might lose. We’ll still have 12 whole miles to make that up gradually, and we’d rather have you with us – and still feeling relatively strong – than burned out and overwhelmed at the top. Once we get there, we’ll take some time to regain our breath again while we head around the lake and across the Pineview Dam at mile 17, where we’ll have our best opportunity yet to play with really fun downhills!

Over the next six miles, we’ll experience a significant drop in elevation alongside the most beautiful views on the entire course. As we continue to run through the Ogden Canyon and along the Ogden River, we’ll be greeted by stunning views of pine trees, rock faces, canyons and trailheads. Most magnificent of all, of course, is the Ogden waterfall – yes, an actual waterfall! – right around mile 22. Your pace leaders will coach you throughout this section on downhill running form, staying focused, and fighting through those walls, while still making sure to point out the most picturesque of the scenes around you. You’ll also have another opportunity to grab a Clif SHOT at mile 17 to keep powering you through those later miles.

The waterfall behind you, it’s time to face the guts and courage part of the race – not just in terms of the miles, but changing scenery. We’ll spend miles 22 through 25 on the Ogden River Parkway, a pedestrian bike path running along the river. While the parkway may introduce us to more spectators and residents out enjoying the day, the most breathtaking scenery is behind you just when you need a distraction the most. You’re tired, you’re sore, you’re working so much harder – and now there’s a little bit less to look at. Now is the time to rely on your pace leader the most; let their voice, their coaching, and even just their balloons keep pulling you along, one mile at a time. You CAN do this!

And at last, you know you HAVE done this! As you approach mile 25, you truly have just one more mile to go, and the scenery is picking up again. As tired as you are, and as long as that last mile is, take a few deep breaths, look around, and take the time to appreciate the city, spectators and fanfare around you! Before you know it (although it seems like forever), you’ll be on that final gauntlet through downtown Ogden, with the finish line on historic 25th Street in sight! Raise your arms high in the air and sprint past your pace leader in your final push – you did it!!! Now get that medal and celebrate! You’re an official Zion’s Bank Ogden Marathon FINISHER!

Running Adventures in Prairie Creek Redwoods: Four Clif Employees Explore California’s Trails

2013-05-13T20:09:00-07:00

By Aron
And just like that, I am even more in love with California.

When Cristen, Lauren, Caron and I began planning our adventure, we wanted to take advantage of the amazing places in our very own state. Not only is it easier logistically (drivable!), but California is such a huge state with so many parts that none of us had explored yet. Cristen threw out the idea of the Lost Coast area and we began brain storming and researching which parks were the best to run in. Yet again, I stumbled on Leor’s blog post the same day we were figuring out where to go, and we knew right then Prairie Creek Redwood Park was where we were headed.

We continued our research on which trails we wanted to see, how we could connect them all together, and how to cover 30+ miles without retracing any footsteps until finally it clicked. We had a big heart-ish shaped loop drawn out, starting in Redwood National Forest, going all the way through and around Prairie Creek Redwood Park and circling back. We rented an amazing house on the ocean just south of Trinidad and everything else fell into place.

Friday morning I picked up Cristen then we picked up Lauren and made our final stop at Caron’s before making the 300 mile drive north to Trinidad. I had never been on Highway 101 past Cloverdale, so I was excited to see so many new parts of California on our way. We hit up a local co-op in Eureka for groceries and finally made it to the house around 4pm. The pictures hadn’t done the house justice and we were all walking around in awe.

That night we cooked pasta, watched the sunset and set out all of our things getting ready for the next day. We were all very excited, but I was able to get a great night of sleep listening to the sound of waves crashing outside the window.

We woke up at 5:15, got dressed, ate breakfast and made sure we had everything we might possibly need. We made the 30 minute drive north to Orick and found the trailhead off the dirt road where we would be starting. We were all really excited at this point, full of anticipation of what the day might bring, and then it was time to start running!

We began by running back down the dirt road we had driven up and then ran a mile north on 101 before turning left into the Elk Meadow Day Use Area. We found our first trail, Davison, easily and were very pleasantly surprised at what we found. This was the one trail I hadn’t really seen any pictures of or read anything about, so I didn’t have very high expectations. It turned out to be incredibly beautiful, very runnable, and at this moment I just knew it was going to be a good day.

Just over 5 miles later, we made our way into Prairie Creek Campground. We did get turned around a little bit here trying to find the next trailhead (thanks to wrong directions from a camper), but we figured it out quickly without adding too much mileage.

We found the trailhead for Prairie Creek Trail and again were all in awe of what surrounded us. The trees were so tall and wide, and the trails were impeccable. It was simply trail running heaven.

We wound our way through the redwoods, taking in all the scenery and just enjoying the sounds and our own conversations. We didn’t see anyone for miles. Just before mile 11 we made a left turn onto Zig Zag #2 Trail for our first climb of the day. We took it easy and hiked a lot of this portion, continuing to gawk at all the huge redwoods around us. This trail dropped us onto West Ridge Trail which we followed along for another few miles. The redwoods were endless and the miles were flying by.

We eventually ran into Coastal Trail, which we turned left on. Despite the name, we were still in the middle of endless redwoods for a mile or two. Then suddenly it opened up and we had huge redwoods on our left and grassy fields on our right, with the ocean right on the other side of the grass. We found a waterfall, ran through a lot of really tall grass and admired all the wildflowers growing.

We took this trail all the way to the entrance of Fern Canyon. We stopped and had “lunch” here, checked the map and regrouped before starting the second half of our adventure.

Fern Canyon was incredible – a canyon with walls of ferns and water running through the middle of it. The girls took their time hopping on logs trying to keep their feet dry, while I just ran through the middle of it all. I love getting my feet wet! There were some downed trees to climb over and we were just having fun playing like kids in this canyon.

We made the climb out of the canyon onto James Irvine Trail which we would follow for another few miles. We followed the trails for more endless redwoods and continued to be engulfed in trail running heaven. We split up a little bit over this section, all taking the trails at our own pace and regrouping every couple miles. It was a lot warmer than I had expected, so we were all drinking a lot of water on top of our food and electrolytes.

We then hit Miner’s Ridge Trail, which we turned right on, that would take us back to the coast. We all stuck together over the next few miles and this is where the stories started getting really good. Long runs and trail running really have a way of letting your guard down and it’s just so easy to start spilling your soul. All those stories will definitely be remaining on the trails.

We finally made our way to the end of the trail, desperately looking for water. Lauren and I both were out and Cristen and Caron were pretty close. Luckily there was a campground right there with cold, amazing drinking water. We took a break, ate some more snacks and refilled our packs before heading out on a couple miles on the dirt road before hitting the sandy beach.

In this section, we passed 26.2 miles on my Garmin and I made sure to announce to everyone – it was now their longest run ever! I was so excited to get to share this moment with them.

Around mile 28 we made our way onto the sandy beach of Gold Bluffs Beach. I knew this was going to be a little risky this late in the day – sand is not the easiest thing to maneuver with tired legs. The beach made up for it though. We made our way along this mile section of vast beach without anyone in sight.

We realized that finding our next trail head from the beach might be easier said than done, but thankfully Cristen spotted the sign and we didn’t miss it. We stopped to get the sand out of our shoes, take some photos and began the climb up and over on Coastal Skunk Cabbage Trail – which would be our last trail of the day.

We weren’t exactly sure how many miles we had left, but we knew it would be somewhere between 32 and 34. We found a sign along the way that confirmed it would be 33 miles. The thing about runs like this, is you have to be very adaptable. You can’t be stuck on a specific distance or time, because so much can happen to change that along the way. The girls had the best attitudes about this, and actually were really excited when I told them it would be 33 miles.

We continued to run through the incredibly lush trail, all knowing the “finish line” was near, and soon enough, I could see the signs for the trailhead ahead. We were back to where we had started, 33.1 miles later.

We had cold drinks and snacks waiting in the car as we sat there recapping the day for a few minutes. Sitting there at the car, I couldn’t believe how fast the day went by and how seamlessly everything went.

Once we got back to the house we celebrated with margaritas, Mexican food, another beautiful sunset, and an early bed time – we were all pretty wiped. It was an incredible day on the most amazing trails with friends who I now feel bonded to more than ever. I am so happy I was able to share this experience with these women and that I have the opportunity to drive a few hours and experience such amazing scenery. Like I said at the beginning, I didn’t know it was possible, but I have fallen even harder for this amazing state I am so lucky to call home.

As we made the drive home on Sunday, we continued to laugh, talk and story tell, but my favorite part were all the references to “next time.” I had warned them when we started the drive on Friday that these adventure runs were addictive, and I am glad to see they didn’t prove me wrong – not that I ever had any doubt in my mind.

One adventure just sets fire to the need for another… now to figure out what is next.

What Do Those Riders Eat? (at the Amgen Tour of California)

2013-05-13T16:24:00-07:00

While watching a brutally long, and perhaps excruciatingly hot and hilly stage of a major bike race, maybe you’ve thought to yourself, “What do those guys eat the night before they do this stuff?” Well, if you’re a longtime fan of cycling who might have watched movies like Le Course en Tête and Stars and Water Carriers about twenty times each, it’s easy to assume that the riders are packed into a huge cafeteria and fed chewy steaks and a mound of pasta (no sauce) each night.

Well, food in the professional peloton has changed pretty dramatically over the years, and it’s most apparent when you stop by the Garmin-Sharp Mobile Kitchen after a race. The team leaves nothing to chance when it comes to their riders’ nutrition, and they bring with them to each stage two team chefs (they actually refer to themselves as Food Mechanics) who lovingly create great meals featuring wholesome organic ingredients, on the spot. So, what did the Garmin riders eat the night before the Amgen Tour of California’s epic first stage that featured 11,000 feet of climbing over 103 miles in 95+ degree heat? Well, this:

Kung Pao chicken
Coconut Rice
Asian slaw
Coconut milk sweet peas
Green salad with Asian dressing

Um, sounds kinda delicious. Certainly better than a severely overcooked steak! As I write, the riders are likely eating some tasty beef stew with almonds along with organic dried fruit and brown rice, as that was the intel I received from the Food Mechanics themselves.

We interviewed Garmin-Sharp rider Jacob Rathe on the Friday evening before the start of the race for an upcoming CLIF video. Jacob is a very calm and quiet Portland kind of dude, and based on that, one would never think that in just a few short days he would be sprinting like a madman at the front of the group in Escondido at the end of an amazingly tough day in the saddle. But, you know, that’s the miracle of Kung Pao chicken.

Senator Barbara Boxer Visits Clif Bar HQ, Talks “Right-to-Know” Act

2013-05-03T01:44:00-07:00

Matthew Dillon is Agricultural Policy and Program Manager for Clif Bar & Co and serves as the Cultivator for Clif Bar Family Foundation’s initiative, Seed Matters. From 2003–2010, Dillon served as Founding Director of Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) – the first organization to engage in seed education, research, and advocacy specifically for the organic community.

Today, Clif Bar & Company welcomed California Senator Barbara Boxer as part of her tour to promote the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, bipartisan legislation that would require clear labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods.

The event also featured Jessica Lundberg of the Lundberg Family Farms and Charles Phan of the Slanted Door restaurant. Other attendees included media and thought leaders from the non-profit community, and other food companies who have been leaders in GMO labeling initiatives such as Amy’s Kitchen, Straus Family Creamery and Annie’s.

At Clif, we receive three common questions related to genetically-engineered foods.

1. Why does Clif support GMO labeling legislation?

As an organic food company, we’ve been committed to sourcing ingredients that are not genetically engineered since the late 90’s. This decision is based on our own values and a focus on organic ingredients. As for labeling, the simple truth is that labeling empowers people to make informed choices for their families.

We’ve heard from our own customers and they’re confused - they simply don’t know where to find the facts. This is why Clif Bar joined with the more than one million supporters of the “Just Label It” campaign in support of national labeling.

2. What can our consumers do to avoid genetically-engineered food?

Purchasing organic is one of the most effective ways to avoid GMOs in your food. Over 70 percent of Clif ingredients are certified organic, which means that ingredients are not genetically engineered. We also take the additional step of requiring that any conventional ingredient shipped to us contains an affidavit to ensure the ingredient meets our non-GMO requirements.

3. What actions can our consumers do to support this legislation?

This one’s super easy. Reach out to your federal representative and let ‘em know your thoughts on the legislation. Our friends at the Just Label it Campaign have created an easy way to take action here.

We’d also love to hear from you in the comments section of this blog post.

Clif Bar Celebrates 10 Years of Organic

2013-04-22T17:15:00-07:00

Happy Earth Day! 10 years ago, Clif Bar & Company began using organic ingredients in CLIF Bars. Here's a special Earth Day infographic with some fun facts about organic.

CLIFCast Podcast - Aid Stations

2013-04-17T23:46:00-07:00

Aid Stations are made to give you the nourishment you need when you need it. However, at larger races they can be hectic and hard to get through while still maintaining your pace and, in some cases, peace of mind In this episode of CLIFCast, you’ll find out the best ways to navigate aid stations and hear a few funny and strange stories, including some from the Clif Bar Pace Team.

CLIFCast Podcast - Carbo Loading

2013-04-02T22:16:00-07:00

Most runners are familiar with Carbo Loading. Like dining on a big bowl of Pasta the night before a big race. The idea is to get enough carbs into your body so that those carbs can turn into energy the next day. But what is the best way to carbo load? And is it actually necessary? Find out in the newest episode of CLIFCast.

“Learning to Fly” by Team CLIF Bar Climber Steph Davis

2013-04-01T21:38:00-07:00

Steph Davis is a long time Team CLIF Bar family member and a superstar in the climbing community. She’s ascended some of the world’s most awe-inspiring peaks and was the first woman to free climb the Salathé Wall in Yosemite and to free solo the Longs Peak Diamond. Following a time of great transition and change a number of years ago, Steph suddenly found herself without a partner, a career, a source of income…or a purpose.

In the company of only her beloved dog Fletch, Davis sets off on a search for a new identity, and discovers skydiving. Though falling out of an airplane is completely antithetical to the climber’s control she’d practiced for so long, Davis turns each daring jump into an opportunity to fly, first as a skydiver, then as a BASE jumper, and finds herself indelibly change

We at CLIF could not be more proud to continue to support Steph in her pursuits throughout life. From climbing and flying to teaching and sharing, Steph is a ray of light and shares an incredible way of giddily playing her way along the path of this amazing journey. We are excited to help share the arrival of Steph’s newest book, Learning to Fly, and look forward to seeing her soar in all that is to come.

Below Steph shares a bit of the story first person.

Learning to Fly is a memoir about adventure, transformation, fear, love, letting go and quite simply, learning how to fly. For half my life, my world revolved around climbing. I dropped out of law school to live in a truck with my dog and migrated from one climbing area to another, from Yosemite to the Arctic Circle. I became a professional climber and eventually married my longtime climbing partner. It was a life of pure adventure, and nothing about it was safe. When my marriage and my career unraveled simultaneously, I found myself slipping into a downward spiral of anxiety, fear and loss of faith as my world fell apart around me.

A longtime believer in the concept of “joy at sudden disappointment,” I was frustratingly unable to apply my spiritual beliefs to what was actually happening in my life. More disturbingly, I lost the ability to simply trust. Climbing became an intensely solo and bizarrely emotionless experience, without a rope and without a partner, a practice of ultimate self-reliance with death consequence. In an effort to feel something, I plunged into free fall, learning to skydive from airplanes. I discovered a new community of unconventional personalities and immersed myself in wingsuit flight and base jumping, traveling from Boulder, Colorado to the Eiger. My beloved dog Fletch got older and passed on, I grew from a beginner skydiver to a competent base jumper, rediscovered my joy in climbing and unexpectedly found new love–learning once again that letting go is the meaning of life.

If you’re drawn to explore the inner world of self or you’re curious about the wild places and wild characters of climbing/skydiving/base jumping, or if you’ve ever truly loved a dog, I hope this story will have meaning for you. If it does, I hope you’ll let me know! steph@highinfatuation.com

~Steph Davis

Learning to Fly will be released on April 2, 2013. You can order it on Amazon.

You can hear Steph speak about Learning to Fly here at CLIF Bar HQ (date and time tba) and get your copy signed this April in Moab, Salt Lake City, Boulder or Denver.

You can also check out Steph’s first book, High Infatuation, on Amazon.

CLIFCast Podcast - Dakota Jones

2013-03-07T22:35:00-07:00

Last December we had the chance to sit down with Team CLIF Bar runner Dakota Jones, who is not only one of the most talented ultra distance runners in the world but also one of the youngest. In this episode, you’ll hear our conversation as we explore his earliest days as a runner, his favorite places to run, his approach to training and eating, and lots more in the newest episode of CLIFCast.