Chris Carver, a Yorkshire-based ultra runner, recently finished as the highest placed English competitor at the 2009 Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Championships after running the equivalent of five and a half marathons in the space of just 24 hours.
Chris, who covered a total distance of 231.51km or 143.86 miles, uses Shotz Sports Nutrition products and revealed that they played a key role in helping him achieve a new personal best and landing a silver medal as part of the English team.
“Shotz is essential for keeping me moving during a 24 hour race,” said Chris.
The sport of ultra running involves racing over distances in excess of the traditional marathon length of 26 miles and 385 yards. The most common types of ultra running races are over 50 or 100 miles, although many endurance athletes choose to see how far they can push themselves in a set timeframe.
Chris first caught the running bug in 1972 after being captivated by the Olympic Games in Munich and explained that his fascination with pushing himself to the limit began in 2005.
“I entered the Robin Hood Marathon in Nottingham and found it quite easy so I decided to try some longer distances,” said Chris.
Over the past four years Chris has completed a number of ultra distance races and his performances have shown continuous improvement, something Chris puts down to his use of Shotz Sports Nutrition.
“Obviously it is important that I take on board plenty of liquid during a race and I normally drink between five and six litres of fluid during the course of a 24-hour race,” he said.
“After looking at my nutritional plan I decided to start using Shotz Electrolyte Tablets and they have made a big difference to my performances.”
Shotz Electrolyte Tablets are effervescent
tablets which dissolve quickly and easily in water. They help keep athletes
hydrated and prevent cramping by delivering electrolytes which regulate fluid
balance.
“I have also been using Shotz Carboshotz Energy Gels to keep my energy stores well-stocked and they are really easy to swallow and digest,” added Chris.
Shotz Carboshotz Energy Gels contain a combination of complex and simple carbohydrates to provide a fast-acting hit of sustained energy which helps athletes maintain optimum performance for longer.
After his colossal effort in Cumbria, Chris is hoping that his recent impressive performances will lead to him being selected for World 24-hour Challenge, due to be staged in the French city of Brive in May 2010.
The Shotz Sports Nutrition range, which includes Shotz Electrolyte Tablets and Carboshotz Energy Gels, is available from www.fitnessmonitors.com and www.josmarc.com.