Taste Test with Clif Bar’s Newest Products

Clif Bar shipped their latest products to our office and we put them to the ultimate taste test

We put this Clif Bar box to the ultimate taste test.

Clif Bar packages are like Christmas morning!

A Clif Bar box arrived the other day. They’re the Official Nutrition of the 3M Half Marathon. Good things happen when those boxes are delivered. We opened the contents and quickly discovered an array of their newest products. We knew we had to put them through a taste test. The box was stuffed with Energy Granola, Fruit Smoothie Filled bars, and Sweet & Salty bars. There was also a stainless steel travel jar so you could take granola with your on your next hike. Read our reviews, then head to your nearest store or visit clifbar.com to scoop these up.

Energy Granola

Four different flavors arrived and they all pass the taste test: Cinnamon Almond, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Cocoa Almond, and Blueberry Crisp. All four bags of Energy Granola delivered in the taste department. The clusters were extra crunchy and you only need a handful or two before you’re good to go. These make for the perfect afternoon snack at the office. Depending on your preferred flavor, Energy Granola would come in handy on a long trail hike or a cross-country flight. Pro tip – these make the perfect cereal topper. Sprinkle in a handful to liven up your morning!

Sweet & Salty Bars

Clif Bar sent all three new Sweet & Salty flavors and holy smokes these were insanely amazing. Honestly, we can’t decide which one is our favorite. We loved Caramel Toffee with Sea Salt, Chocolate Chunk with Sea Salt, Peanut Butter & Honey with Sea Salt. As many in the endurance community know, sweet and salty is the magic combination. Clif Bar hit the nail on the head with these three creations. Constructed like the original Clif Bars, these are perfect for a pre-workout meal or post-ride snack on the go. The bars were light, crunchy, tasty, and left you contemplating whether or not you should open another one.

We put the Fruit Smoothie Filled Clif Bars to a taste test.

The Fruit Smoothie Filled Bars hit the spot!

Fruit Smoothie Filled Bars

Introducing the highlight of the box, the CLIF® Fruit Smoothie Filled Energy Bars. Talk about hooked on a filling. All three new flavors (Strawberry Banana, Wild Blueberry Acai, and Tart Cherry Berry) arrived in the box and it was a toss-up to see which one we ate first. All three bars got the job done and left us wanting more. Each bar uses USDA organic and non-GMO ingredients to deliver sustained energy. The filling is made from a blend of cashew butter and the bright flavors of organic fruit.

We apologize at the abrupt end to this blog. We’re headed to the store to get more.

5 non-running ways to get active in Austin

Image result for sup austin town lakeSUP

Duh!  If you haven’t done a session of Stand Up Paddle, what are you waiting for?  Like any kind of workout, you can make it as hard or as easy as you want.  Go for a few miles on a windy day and you’ll get in a tough workout!  But if you’re a beginner, take it easy and go on a calm day instead.  There are several places on Lady Bird Lake where you can rent a SUP board.  So get out there and enjoy the water on a SUP.

Swim at Barton Springs Pool

Dive into the refreshing waters of Barton Springs Pool this summer.  Do a few laps to get a nice workout in on a hot summer day.  Or give aqua jogging a try! Pro Tip: if you go before 8 a.m. it is a lot easier to swim full lengths of the pool. Here are some swim workouts to try out when you go.

Go for a Ride

The possibilities are endless!  From renting a B-Cycle to cruise around town or Lady Bird Lake to mountain biking on the Greenbelt – jump on a bike to mix it up this summer. See two of Austin best bike paths to use this summer.

Related imageRock Climbing

Go vertical! Rock Climbing and Bouldering is a full body and mind workout. There are several places with indoor climbing gyms like CRUX Climbing Gym or  Austin Bouldering Project that can rent you the equipment as well. Once you get the hang of it, there are even spots out on the greenbelt where you can climb outside.

Yoga

From Hot Yoga to Goat Yoga, yeah you read that right, and everything in between, you can find it in Austin! There is even yoga on SUP boards! Check out the different yoga spots in town and find your tribe to get sweaty with.

Highlight on Volunteers: Audrey Loeffler

No matter the race, outstanding volunteers go the extra mile

The High Five Events’ “Nomination Contest” will feature volunteers who went above and beyond at one of our events. These phenomenal volunteers help us produce successful, safe, and fun events for athletes, volunteers, and staff.

Highlight on Volunteers: Audrey Loeffler

Audrey hanging out before the start of the 2018 Rookie Triathlon.

Our first winner is Audrey Loeffler. She was nominated for being an outstanding volunteer at the 2018 3M Half Marathon. At the expo, Audrey volunteered at Packet Pick Up. She helped check-in the athletes and give them their bib numbers and world-famous packets. On race day, she was a volunteer captain for Runner Gear Pickup and Drop Off. She oversaw a team of volunteers and made sure that every athletes’ gear bag made it from the start line to the finish line without inconveniences.

Audrey’s nomination as an outstanding volunteer resulted from being “very helpful and friendly.” She began volunteering for High Five Events in 2016 and has showcased these characteristics ever since.

Audrey enjoys volunteering at big events “because of the energy at those events.” Additionally, Cap10K is her favorite event to volunteer at because she gets to “experience both sides of the race” by racing and volunteering. Audrey received a $100 gift card to Jeffrey’s Restaurant. The 3M Half Marathon and its runners greatly appreciate her time, dedication, and positive attitude. Congratulations!!  

Know a volunteer who goes above and beyond like Audrey? Fill out this short form and nominate them today!

Running Gear Round Up

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Registration Opens for 25th Anniversary 3M Half Marathon

Planning is underway for 25th anniversary celebration

Registration for the 2019 3M Half Marathon opens today, Tuesday, May 1st. Registration will begin at $75 for those who take advantage of the Early Pricing. The 25th annual 3M Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, January 20, 2019, in Austin, Texas. More than 7000 participants registered for the 2018 3M Half Marathon. The standalone half marathon, also known as Downhill to Downtown, is excited to see its registration numbers continue to grow. Planning began months ago to properly celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 3M Half Marathon.Registration is open for 3M Half Marathon 25th Anniversary.

“The 3M Half Marathon has a special place in my heart; it was the first half marathon I ever ran,” said four-time 3M Half Marathon finisher Chikage Windler, CBS Austin’s Chief Meteorologist. “The 25th anniversary race will be my fifth straight and I can’t wait to run Downhill to Downtown and get a PR!”

2018 recap

The 2018 3M Half Marathon showcased a competitive elite field. Joey Whelan (1:09:06) and Jessica Harper (1:15:45) were the male and female champions. $50,000 was donated to GirlStart in conjunction with 3Mgives. The 2018 3M Half Marathon featured an energetic finish line festival. Participants enjoyed the Oskar Blues beer garden, a live DJ, and food trucks. Participants enjoyed a fully supported course, complete with eight aid stations stocked with nuun and water, a CLIF Bar CLIF Zone, and thousands of cheering spectators with hilarious signs. The 2018 commemorative finisher medals featured a new, fresh look, complete with a spinning star in the center.

The 3M Half Marathon boasts one of the fastest 13.1-mile courses in the country. Runners will enjoy a point-to-point course with mostly downhill running that showcases some of Austin’s finest locations. Starting in north Austin and finishing near the Texas State Capitol, runners will appreciate a 306’ net elevation drop. Participants can register on the website.