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Ironman champion Lucy Charles-Barclay uses this to fuel her workouts

lucy charles barclay wins the ironman 703 staffordshire
How Lucy Charles-Barclay fuels her workouts Getty Images

Lucy-Charles Barclay knows a thing or two about how to fuel an endurance event. The 29-year-old London-born athlete was a national champion by the age of 16, and has gone on to become a double world champion in the Ironman and 70.3 titles. Like all athletes, she's got a plethora of kit she swears by for both training and racing. And when it comes to nutrition, there's one item she uses time and time again.

“I use Red Bull for the majority of my key workouts, from high intensity swim, track and gym sessions, to long rides and runs,” she says. “I’m able to get that little bit extra from myself, with an additional amount of energy and focus to crush each and every workout.”

According to Charles-Barclay, her favourite is Red Bull Energy, and she uses the product after 90 minutes when she’s competing — this is when she's reached the bike section of the race.

The latest Red Bull Summer Edition (Juneberry flavour) contains 80mg caffeine — that's about the same amount as in a cup of coffee.

Energy drinks are also a key part of Charles-Barclay's training strategy. “During my long rides and runs I often use Red Bull after 90 mins. This stops me flagging on the second half of the workout, giving me additional energy to focus on form, technique and power.”

Alongside energy drinks, Charles-Barclay tends to eat solid food ('like a bite of a Snickers bar or jelly cubes') during the bike section of an Ironman, generally every 30 minutes. She then consumes six gels during the run, spaced out evenly.

Taking on plenty of water is also important, she says, especially during the second transition between the bike and the run.

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