Archive for Tried It Tuesday

The Triathlon Rx | March 22, 2012
4 comments

Are You Game Ready?

There aren’t many sports medicine “toys” that I haven’t tried… from enhanced recovery (foam rolling, compression, etc.) to all the gadgets you’d find in your physical therapists office or athletic training room, chances are I’ve used it/own it/”reviewed” it/sampled it at one time or another. But somehow this one slipped under my radar…

Sampling the goodies… Christmas in July!

Last week I arrived to my physical therapy appointment filled with trepidation. Not only did I know I had overstepped my limitations, but I was paying the price for it. I came accompanied by my old friend ‘the stick’ – the single forearm crutch, once part of a pair, that I had finally worked my way off of. The fact that I needed it to walk was not a good sign. The first words out of my mouth when I saw my PT were, “you’re not going to be happy with me…”

He wasn’t not not happy with me, but he also didn’t want to run me through a full workout of single leg squats or leg presses, for fear that it might aggravate my hip even more. Instead, he asked me, “Have you tried the Game Ready?”

Surprisingly… no!!

The Game Ready is a rehabilitation tool that combines two components of the well known RICE protocol – rest, ice, compression, and elevation. The Game Ready uses a “dual-action wrap” (which comes in a variety of sizes and styles to for the various body parts it can treat) which is connected to a control unit. The control unit intermittently fills the dual action wrap with cold water, compressing your ______ (hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, etc.), and bringing relief.

Before you write it off with rolled eyes and go strap on a frozen bag of peas… check the research. Numerous clinical studies (ie peer reviewed, not published in Men’s Health, population sample greater than n=1, etc.) have found that cryo(cold)therapy PLUS compression provides optimal results in rehabilitation. PubMed… all the cool kids are doing it.

What fun would it be if I didn’t take an awkward crotch shot in the middle of the clinic? The Hip/Groin Wrap sort of looks like a one-legged goalie pad. But when it started it’s compression intervals, filling with chilly-as-Superior water, I instantly started to feel better. OK that’s not true – I started shivering, pulled my sweats on, and thenI started to feel better.  While there’s are different cryotherapy product I use when I’m at home (review to come soon!), I will definitely be incorporating the Game Ready into my PT sessions.

“Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, a surgery patient, an orthopedic physician, a physical therapist, or an athletic trainer… Game Ready can help you get the most from your rehab or recovery.”

Good on ya’ GR. You’re a keeper.

Reader Qs: What is your favorite (or maybe it’s a hurtssogood kind of favorite) recovery tool?

-E

You can find the rest of the TriathlonRx reviews by following this link, or clicking the REVIEWS tab at the top of the page.

Category: Thoughts on a Thursday, Tried It Tuesday | Tags: , , , ,
The Triathlon Rx | February 14, 2012
12 comments

Tried It Tuesday: Finis SwiMP3.2G

First things first: I need to send out an apology here – I am extremely behind with anything and everything blog related!! Writing, reading, responding to comments, the whole deal. Thankfully it’s because life is good and busy, but I still feel a little guilty for the sudden disappearance! The new job is in full swing, PT is going well and new x-rays are due next week, I was accepted into and have committed to the next leg of my academic journey, and I’ve even gone on a few dates!! (Some good, some eh, but thank goodness no more marriedandkids guys….)

But THAT is personal life. THIS [blog] is what I’m willing to share on the internet life. Therefore I’m going to move on… to my brand new baby:

Finis SwiMP3.2G

 

For Christmas in 2009 I was given the NuDolphin mp3 player to help dull the pain encourage more frequent swimming.  Two years later it finally bit the bullet. Now at first thought, two years might not seem like a long time for the life of an mp3 player. But lets face it: electronics + submersion in water = just not meant to be. I was happy with the two years I got out of the NuDolphin. One thing I wasn’t ever completely happy with was the headphones. The seal between the ear canal and the headphones would stay in tact for 5 minutes max before water would get in my ears and POOF! the music was gone. This problem is what initially lead me to the Finis SwiMP3 player…

Instead of in-ear headphones, Finis uses “bone conduction audio transmission” to send the music from your mp3 player (affixed to your goggles straps), through your temporal bones, and into your ears. (Into your brain? I don’t really know… it kind of blows my mind.) The user manual says this 2G mp3 player can hold about 500 songs (which is more than I’ll ever need) and lasts for up to 8 hours of play on a full charge. The USB plug is built directly into the player so you don’t have to worry about losing any cords, and trasnferring songs is as simple as a drag and drop on your desktop. The SwiMP3 is compatible with both Macs and PCs, and supports MP3 and WMA files.

The most frequent complaints from customer reviews were a) that it’s “expensive”, b) the sound is “thin”, and c) the device will “wear out.”

My counters to all three of the aforementioned points are that a) Expensive is a relative term. I payed $145 + tax for my Finis SwiMP3 at Pure Blue swim shop in Plymoth, MN. For 500 stored songs, an infinitely more enjoyable swimming experience, and a notable increase in swimming frequency when I swim with music, $145 seems quite a reasonable price to pay. b) The sound is much clearer when using silicone ear plugs. These do not come with the device, but cost under 5 bucks. ($4.95 for a pack of 6 from SwimOutlet.) c) True dat… it might “wear out.” See above: electronics + water = not meant to be. HOWEVER, I have read fantastic thing about the customer service from Finis, and I trust that if they’re as good as the reviews say, I’ll have no problems.

I have been in the pool much more frequently now that my activities are limited to swim / bike/ halfass upper body lift. I’m starting to SLOWLY build on an elliptical (we’re talking a whopping 5 – 10 minutes… but pimpin here), but honestly swimming is the only thing that doesn’t cause any ‘hurt’. And as my scientific research has demonstrated, my total swim volume is directly correlated to the amount of available entertainment. Variety in the workout = more swimming. Hot lane buddy = more swimming. And of course, good tunes = more swimming. P < 0.05… or something. ;)

Reader Qs:

Are you a swimmer? Triathletes: mandatory, doggy paddle at a minimum. Runners: beneficial, great cross training! Are you tech’ed out, or do you keep it pure? There are a few other items I’ve been interested in… the tempo trainer, the Speedo fingerwatch lap counter, etc. Do you have any thoughts on/experiences with these?

You can find all other reviews under the PRODUCT REVIEWS tab at the top of the page, or by following this link. Be happy, be healthy, and press on!

-E

*My SwiMP3 was a personal purchase, and this review was not funded, encouraged, or persuaded by Finis in any way, shape, or form.

Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags: , ,
The Triathlon Rx | November 8, 2011
14 comments

Tried it Tuesday: The Distance

First and foremost, the winner(s) of the Shutterfly giveaway are:


Ladies – stay tuned to your inboxes for a message from me (drtrirunner at gmail dot com) and a coupon code to go get creative. :)

Moving on… this is a BOOK REPORT edition of Tried It Tuesday! First step, you should erase the memories of book reports on A Wrinkle in Time, Where the Red Fern Grows, or The Call of the Wild. (<- OK, I actually liked that one…) I’m not going to ask you to make a panorama out of a shoe box or write a “five paragraph essay.” The Distance was a book I devoured in about two days, by choice, and just one of several tri-related book reports to come.

Being on a medical leave of absence from school right now, my have to read list suddenly vanished, and my want to read list is growing shorter and shorter at the rate I’m plowing through books! The Distance by David Mills had been on that want to read list for a long time. The tagline for the book states, “An average Joe’s path to balancing family, work, and triathlon.” Kind of ironic that I read it now, when I don’t have to balance anything, and am doing zero tri training to speak of. :)

 

Given the typical audience of my readers, chances are you’ve already done a triathlon (or many) or have at least thought of doing one. Maybe you only considered it for a fraction of a second. Maybe just in hearing your friend talk about his upcoming tri, when your thoughts sounded more like ok buddy you’re nuts. But I bet your mind wandered, even if just temporarily, to maybe I could do that?! Whether you talked yourself out of that thought or promptly went to go register for an Ironman, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this book!

The Distance is not filled with scientific theories and the biochemistry behind lactate accumulation and anaerobic threshold workouts. You will not find spreadsheets, graphs, or diagrams detailing various training plans, macronutrient breakdowns, or bike handling technique. What you will find, and this was summed up spot-on by another reader of the book, is that “David’s book grabs you and compels you to live out a better story with your life.” (-Brian Boyle, Dallas, GA) That’s a book I can get behind, and a book that I will definitely read again.

And at less than 200 pages, it’s a book you easily could read multiple times. I ended up writing in the margins and highlighting certain sections or quotes. Quite a few were added to the “QUOTES” Word document (original name… huh?), joining the likes of Once a Runner, Running on Faith, Ultramarathon Man, Running on Empty, and Going Long.

Just want to finish with the quote David wrote to me on the inside of the cover. He said, “Erika, Destroy your limitations!” That’s one we can all keep in mind… don’t you think?

Reader Qs:

Any other “must reads” to add to this “want to read list?” I’m actually plowing through it pretty quickly. I will definitely need a good supply before going into the hospital, and for the several weeks following!! What was the best book you read as a kid?

-E

Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags:
The Triathlon Rx | November 1, 2011
3 comments

Tried it Tuesday: Prayer Works

Tuesday huh…? That means I’m supposed to Try Stuff according to the weekly schedule. Well, I’ve tried a lot of things (gear/products) that should be reviewed, and trust me, the “saved drafts” list is growing! But today, I’m talking about trying something a little different…

People like to ask me about my faith. Maybe because of the cross that never leaves my neck… maybe because of a book they see me reading… maybe because of a reference I make. It’s not that I don’t like to talk about it, but you probably won’t hear me start that reference with “according to the first book of the Corinthians…” and you definitely wont hear me telling anyone else what they “should” believe.

We have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (or whatever power or higher being you may believe in) for a reason. I don’t believe that any two views on religion or spirituality will be the same, nor should they be. My personal relationship with God doesn’t fit into a pretty neat little prepackaged flat rate priority mail box, and I’m pretty sure He’s OK with that. So bear with me here… this is a pretty infrequent thing I’m sharing, and I’ll do my best to make it coherent.

The big man and I chat on a pretty frequent basis.. on runs and bike rides, while I’m brushing my teeth, while I’m driving my car… we’re amigos. :) Lately though I’ve found myself asking him lots of questions – understandably I guess, given my current circumstances. But Julia’s last post got me thinking… maybe I’m doing too much talking, and not enough listening. Or is it not enough trusting?

That’s a hard question and it makes me feel uncomfortable just considering it… am I really listening? Am I really trusting in His plan? Am I really giving Him the control and finally letting go? It’s easy to say ”If God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it!” with an upbeat attitude and a smile on your face. But it’s another thing to actually believe in it.

^^ I love this quote, and I do truly believe it. But I also think it’s OK to have doubts, fears, and questions. The entire bible is full of questions. Even Jesus, who is supposed to be God’s own son, questioned on the cross “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” What I draw from this is not a cry of despair (one in which we give up on the relationship with God), but a cry of lamentation (a powerful and painful act of faith).

Circumnavigating all of this —> I think I’m lamenting.

Hahahah… it’s OK. If I can laugh, you can laugh. I’ll be the first one to tell you that translating the bible is not my strongest skill. But if you’ve ever had those moments when you’re like mhhmmmmm! putting 1 and 2 together… I’m there.

(BTW – out of the 150+ psalms in the Book of Psalms, more than 50 are laments. That book is one I read over and over, and learn something new every time.)

So getting to the TRIED IT part of this Tuesday. If you’re from the Twin Cities, you may or may not be familiar with KTIS. They’re our local Christian radio station, and they do some pretty awesome things. Including Prayer Works. Prayer Works is an app, and also available through the KTIS website, which invites people to submit prayers and pray for others. Although I’ve offered up prayers for others before, I had never sent in one of my own. Until last night at about 10:30 pm…

The prayer I submitted just asked for calm and peace of mind as I am getting closer to surgery, and the strength to remain dedicated in my faith and trust in His plan. And can I tell you something…? The feeling I got when I had these little notifications all throughout the night and still now all morning…

Overpowering. Can’t really find words to explain it, other than just… fulfilled?

Omnipresent…. just sayin. ;)

So I know this is a very untraditional Tried it Tuesday, but this is just a little bit of me that you don’t usually get to see. To whomever created Prayer Works, you did a wonderful thing and I really do thank you. I hope that everyone else submitting prayers and praying for others can experience those same fulfilling feelings.

Looking back, one of my “metas para el año nuevo” // new years goals for 2011 was to explore new ways to deepen my faith, my personal relationship with God. It may not look like your traditional, text-book Catholic journey, but we’re definitely going there.

Reader Qs

Ummm…? I hope people can feel open share whatever they want to share! I have no idea how this is going to resonate (or not) with my readers, so I’m leaving that one on the table.

Take care,
-E

OH p.s. Giveaway closes this FRIDAY. Go get your entries in. :)

Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags:
The Triathlon Rx | October 11, 2011
5 comments

Tried it Tuesday // How do you ROLL?

Between personal training, athletic training, spin instructing, coaching, leading running clinics, and just being involved in the running and triathlon community, I’ve gotten quite a few questions over the years about recovery tools. And not just from runners and triathletes, but also swimmers, divers, basketball players, hockey players…. we don’t discriminate!! There are two categories that come to my mind when I think recovery: options that are FREE options (ice, ice baths, tennis balls [practically free], recruiting the boyfriend for a massage*, etc.), and those that are NOT FREE (professional sports massage [sorry honey, you're not a pro], compression gear, nutritional supplements, etc.).

One product in the non-free category I’m sure just about everyone is familiar with: the ROLLER.

Or the massager. Or the massage-roller. There are so many different options on the market now and they’re so widely available, that the question has gone from “What is a foam roller?” to ”What type of roller is the best?” You’d almost have to try them all to know…

… and luckily, I’ve had the opportunity to do pretty much just that. I’ve tried rollers that feel soft, rollers that feel hard, rollers that elicit tears, and rollers that really don’t feel like they’re doing a ⠙⠈⠍⠝ thing. (Side note: It’s somewhat pathetic/amusing the amount of this stuff I have in my house. Some day – when the student loans are paid off – I will dedicate a room to this crazy thing we call exercise. Until then, the QRoo and trainer belong in the living room, and the pull-up bar goes in the kitchen doorway.) ;)

Back on track… BRIEFLY: this is essentially the poor-man’s massage. Using these tools helps stretch muscles and tendons, as well as assists in breaking up scar tissue and soft tissue adhesions (muscle tissue stuck together). Just as with stretching, there is a difference between hurts-so-good and SOB!-that-wasn’t-supposed-to-happen. It’s important to differentiate between a moderate and healthy discomfort, and discomfort that can lead to an injury.

It was difficult to decide how to organize this – from favorite to least favorite? From hard to soft? Most expensive to least expensive? I’m not sure if there’s a method to the madness, but I think I’m going with the “originals” to the newer products. Maybe.

1. Pro-Tec Athletics Foam Roller

  • 6″ x 35″ – $29.95**
  • 6″ x 18″ – $24.95** – nice for traveling)
  • High Density
  • Comes with an instruction manual… in case you couldn’t figure it out?
  • What I consider the “standard” or “traditional” foam roller – no bells or whistles, but it gets the job done. This is the type of foam roller you will find in most gyms, health clubs, and PT clinics. At first this was all I needed, but now that I use them so frequently, it feels like it’s not doing much. Great if you’re extremely tight or just breaking yourself into rolling.
  • From Pro-Tec: “The Pro-Tec foam roller is a great tool for stretching, promoting flexibility and myofascial release! It can help alleviate muscle and soft tissue tightness of the upper and lower back, IT band, hamstring, adductors, upper arm, and much more!”
  • Pro-Tec Athletic’s Website

2. Performtex Textured EVA Foam Roller

  • Very similar to a traditional foam roller, but with small textured bumps along the whole surface for “added stability and deeper trigger point activation.”
  • Just personal opinion – I feel like this gets a bit deeper into my muscles than the standard, non-textured foam roller. Makes sense of course, but you wouldn’t think it would make that much of a difference. It does!!
  • 6″ x 36″ – $39.00**
  • From Performtex: “Looks badass.” Yes. Yes it does!
  • ***As a side note… Performtex makes wonderful kinesio tape. They’re working on putting together “how-to” videos which (I believe!) will be available from their facebook page.
  • Performtex’s website.

3. Rumble Roller

  • 5″ x 12″ – $44.95**
  • 6″ x 31″ – $69.95**
  • Not for the faint of heart – the surface of this bad boy will work you over like a physical therapist… with a desire to make you squirm.
  • OK – maybe that’s a little intense. I actually have to break into it though, by using a traditional foam roller first, and working into the Rumble Roller next. Either this means I’m super tight (true), or the Rumble Roller gets into deep tissue (also true.)
  • Available in “original density” or “extra firm”. I have the original blue, and I’d say it takes a champ to handle the Extra Firm. Consider that a challenge! ;)
  • People ask me about this and want to try it out ALL THE TIME. So much so that I had to write my name and phone number on it, in case it “accidentally” walked off.
  • Rumble Roller’s Website

4. The Stick

  • Available in three different levels of firmness – firm, standard, and flexible.
  • Firm: Big stick (30″ – $53.95) , Stiff Stick (24″ – $47.95), and Sprinter Stick (19″ – $34.95)
  • Standard: Power Stick (27″ – $47.95), Original Body Stick (24″ – $42.50), Travel Stick (29″ – $27.50)
  • Flexible: Flex Stick (26″ – $42.50), Marathon Stick (20″ – $31.95), Hybrid Stick (23″ – $44.95)
  • Available at most marathon or big race expos, and online.
  • They have a fun “Stick Selector” tool on Products page that helps you pick out which product might be best for you. They told me I’m best suited for the Travel Stick or the Marathon stick. Whattya know… I have both!!
  • The Stick’s Website.

5. PVC Pipe.

  • If you want to talk about bad ass…
  • I don’t know if I can actually/safely recommend this. It hurts like a %!&@#. Be careful of the anterior tib, ITB, and TFL areas.
  • But hey… it’s affordable!!**
  • No, I’m not BSing you. We have multiple widths and densities of PVC pipe specifically for this purpose in our training room.
  • PVC’s Website.

These five different options only scratched the surface. There is a sweet product from Trigger Point Performance Therapy called The Grid that looks like an intermediate version of the Rumble Roller and the Textured EVA Roller. They also have a total Hip & Lower Back Kit that I have been eyeing forever and will be on my Christmas list (Photo at Left). I have never had issues with lower back pain until just a few months ago, and am still trying to figure out the root cause. All I can say is, I feel like I was trampled in Jumanji!!

Reader Qs:

How do YOU roll? Is it a regular part of your routine, or only when you’re feeling particularly tight? What is your favorite recovery tool?

-E

*Ladies (and gentlemen)… take note – that SHOULD be free.
**Prices may vary by retailer.
*** I promise Performtex didn’t ask me to plug their kinesio tape. Working in an athletic training room and working with several Division 1 teams, I’ve used a billion kinds of kinesio tape. I really, truly, 100% un-biasedly like Performtex’s tape the best!!

Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags: , ,
The Triathlon Rx | August 23, 2011
11 comments

Tried It Tuesday / Work Out Wednesday: Yoga

Otherwise known as the #FML edition. Let’s backtrack a little…

There are two things are typically considered un-enjoyable by the general public: admitting you’re wrong, and changing your plan. The former can be applied to most everyone, whereas the latter may be more common for the type A’s/stubborn/athletes/redheads. (All of which apply to me. WhoaDamn!!)

If you participated in the 8/19/2011 Friday Confessional, you’ll know that last week I begrudgingly endured one full hour of yoga. My LOOK cleats wouldn’t clip into the Lifetime Fitness spin bikes, and a friend of mine (who could sweet talk his way out of ADX Florence) started to spit his magic. Before I knew it I was in a downward facing dogs, hearing lots of words ending in –sana and –ata… neither of which were covered when I took Medical Terminology. No biggie though – we’ve all played Simon Says. I just did my best to follow along.

* Let’s add a third to the list of “things that are not enjoyed by the general public” – doing things we’re not good at. My flexibility is better than many – I can hit my left leg and center splits like I was still on the gymnastics team. But balance…? Lets just say I won’t be brining home any gold stars. By and large, we don’t like working on our weaknesses, and that can be applied to the sport(s) of triathlon, career life, family life, etc.

(*Balancing rocks? I know… it’s a stretch. I forgot to take photos for this one.)

It was a slow, slow hour, in which I probably checked my watch 45 times. I finished feeling like I wanted to take a nap. And instead of being able to give in to the looming sleepiness, I still had to check off the coaches’ workout for the day.  But is all of that really bad enough to be worthy of the FML status?

No. Until I finished the aforementioned coaches’ workout (an AT tempo ride), and slaughtered it. Average speed over the entire ride (in the city, mostly along river road) was 21.3, with solid sections of 23-24, including plenty of wind. That is a) an a-typical average speed for me, and b) a rare ability to HTFU into the wind.

I’ve been on top of my sleep game for over a year, and can finally say I average 8-9 hours a night. My sports dietitian has been doing an amazing job with my fueling and meal plans, and it finally feels dialed in and on point. Although I’ve been busy, life is really good right now, with stress is at a minimum. The only changed variable was the dirty four letter word: yoga.

Which brings me back to the three things most people don’t enjoy doing:

  1. Admitting I might be am wrong about yoga.
  2. Incorporating it into the weekly training plan. Something my coach had on my schedule at least 1x/week for TWO YEARS, over which time I maybe did it once.
  3. Working hard on the weaknesses: balance.

When I frame this third point in terms of general triathlon training, it seems like a wonderfully obvious idea. Balance is a key component of injury prevention, maintaining proper form, and delaying fatigue. But when I think of it as “I should do yoga do get better at balance…” I get the Mr. Yuck face. You’ll see me reporting back on this little experiment and how it’s going over the next few months. My starting goal will be 1x/week – preferably in class vs. at home because I feel like it does a better job of holding me accountable.

Reader Qs:

Do you do yoga? Is it your primary gig or a supplement to your ______ training? How do you feel it benefits you? How often do you do it?

-E

Category: Tried It Tuesday, Workout Wednesday | Tags: ,
The Triathlon Rx | July 12, 2011
15 comments

Tried it Tuesday // Asics Sky Speed

A few weeks ago, my mom, aunt, and I held a yard sale to try and minimize the amount of stuff we had. Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for nice things, mementos, and what not… but if there’s one thing that drives me nuts, it’s clutter. And the one area that was definitely becoming cluttered was my shoe shelf.

It’s one thing if you’re an elite runner, and you have a wall room of fame with every shoe you’ve ever run in, every medal you’ve ever won, and race photos from floor to ceiling. (Spirit of a Marathon…? Anyone??) But when you’re a “normal” runner, who goes through 3 to 4 pairs of shoes annually, and has been running since the age of 12, you probably don’t need to hold on to all of them. Yeah… I had a lot of shoes to clear out.

It’s wasn’t like an episode of Hoarders… a bunch of them I’ve donated to shoe reuse programs to get a discount on the new shoes. A particular two pairs had been thrown directly in the trash after mud-runs. One [semi-clean] expired pair is kept for walking, and another [not-as-clean] expired pair is kept for mowing the lawn. Just one pair – my very first ever pair of “real” running shoes – is being kept for memories sake. But all the rest of those still usable / no holes / not suitable for running / but still in decent shape running shoes? Time to move on.

Asics 21??s, a la 2008

Now I really wish I had taken a picture… There were probably 10 pairs of miniature Asics. One pair of New Balance, one pair of Nike, and two different Adidas. All with different colors, from different seasons, and different memories. As I set each pair, with their little $1 or $2 price tag, out on the driveway, I got to take a jog down memory lane…

  • my first half marathon
  • my first marathon
  • my PR marathon – the shoes I FORGOT at home the day before the marathon
  • the XC seasons I took All-City
  • the XC season that Asics were back-ordered, and I had to get an emergency different brand shoe the day before a meet…
  • … which shortly thereafter led to my first stress fracture
  • the shoes I was wearing when I found out about my hip fracture, and took that “last fateful run“
  • the shoes I was wearing for what will very likely be my last full marathon
  • my first triathlon
  • Ragnar Relay
  • the shoes I ran in when I studied in Spain
  • the shoes I ran in all over Puerto Rico

(Out with the old, in with the new. (L) Asics DS Trainer 14… 2009. (R) Asics 2140s I think… 2010.)

Luckily, I have lots of photos to remind me of these [mostly] wonderful moments… so by getting rid of the shoes I’m only sharing a little bit of what I love with someone else. :D On the second day of the sale, a neighbor lady stopped by who works with Mano a Mano – a non-profit organization that partners with Bolivian communities to improve health and well-being. Of all the shoes that were still left, I was more than happy to donate them to Mano a Mano to help support their mission. (We were also able to give a few winter jackets, and I got to unload TWO pairs of crutches, a walking boot, an air cast, and a wrist splint. Wooohh!!) It made me feel really good at the end of the day to know what we donated was going to be put to good use.

So now that the athletic-shoe stash has gone from 20+ to less than I can count on one hand… what am I running in?

You probably have heard by now – I have Asics tattooed on my heart. (Metaphor mom… don’t worry. No new ink.) Matter of fact… do an Asics search on my blog and you’ll get three full pages of results. For a long time, I ran in the 21xx series. But after becoming a little more efficient, and a little faster, I decided it was a touch too much shoe. I moved over to the DS Trainer, which I loved. And still do! (I mean… you care about something for so long, it’s not like I just have an “off switch” and can forget about you overnight.) ;) But finally – after so many years – I think I’ve found “the one”…

Asics DS Sky Speed

(Not to be confused with the Hyper Speed, which is pretty sweet racing flat.)

The Asics Sky Speed is a neutral shoe, and considered a “race-inspired” training flat. The women’s SS weighs in at 7.9 oz, while the men’s weighs in at 9.8 oz. (Hahaa… big-footed suckas!!) ((Kidding. Totally kidding.))

The Asics DS Sky Speed is in the same family as the DS trainer, and shares many common features. Both the SS and the DST have the Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®), Guidance Line™, Propulsion Trusstic®, Gender Specific Space Trusstic System®, Biomorphic Fit ® upper, and asymmetrical lacing.

The biggest differences between the two shoes are that while the DST has a touch of support, the SS is neutral. The SS is more flexible. The SS is slightly lighter than the DST (0.6 oz difference for las mujeres, 0.2 oz difference for los hombres). And the upper on the SS is more minimal. (More minimal…? It’s less.) Put simply, the SS is essentially the old (around version 14) DST, without a medial post.

To summarize my thoughts on the Sky Speed: I love it. I love the way it hugs my foot through the midsole. I love the minimal-ness of the upper, because really, what does the upper do for you anyways besides add unnecessary weight? For my style of running, I think it provides just the right “amount of shoe” under my foot.

If you a wide foot, or need an extra-roomy toe box, I would say this shoe is not for you. If you are looking for a shoe as minimal as the NB Minimus, or even the Brooks Green Silence, then I think you’d say the SS is “too much.”

HOWEVER… if you are looking for a comfy, neutral, flexible, light weight trainer (and you like neon), then you have a winner!!

Reader Qs:

  • Have you found that one true love – the shoe that has always worked for you, time and time again?
  • Do you bounce around from brand to brand? Or have one brand for flats, one for trainers, one for spikes, etc.? Or are you loyal to one brand and one brand only?
  • What shoe are you currently running in? What do you think about it?
  • I have not tried the Asics Speed Star… but if anyone else has, I would really love to hear your take on it!! How does it compare to the DST or the SS?  (I know… DS Trainer, DS Sky Speed, Hyper Speed, and Speed Star. All very confusing/very clever.)

That’s all I got for you today! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer (except for the 18 readers I have in Australia, 8 in Malaysia, 5 in Singapore, all the rest in the southern hemisphere who are currently enjoying WINTER. Jeeez I love Google Analytics!!) and enjoying life. :)

-E

p.s. If you’re at all interested in donating, volunteering, or simply learning more about Mano a Mano, please check out their website HERE!

p.s.s. Legal disclaimer!! This post was in no way compensated for, persuaded by, or influenced by Asics America. All reviews and opinions in this post are based on my own experiences with the above mentioned shoes, which were purchased at my own expense.
Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags: , ,
The Triathlon Rx | June 28, 2011
9 comments

Tried It Tuesday: Hammer Endurolytes Fizz

Photo Credit

It has been way too long since the last Tried It Tuesday… and not because there are a lack of products to review!! There are a a handful stacked in the “draft/to finish” pile, including my hands-down favorite ever (so far) running shoe, some compression wear, and more on the hydration. (It’s supposed to be 100° on Thursday – gotta keep those fluids going!)

But on THIS particular Tuesday, the review is in, and we’re talking about Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes Fizz.

While this is not a brand new product (I think they came out ~October, 2010), they’re new to me. What took me so long to try them? Well, it just so happens that there’s a very similar product I happen to like a lot. Rhymes with the word moon, comes in flavors like kola (which others have likened to “armpit”, but I think is delicious. Bigger question – why do you know what armpit tastes like?), is linked right over there (—-> glance page upper right), and was featured in Train On Top Volume 4: Hydration. You know the saying – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – which is why I have been a little hesitant to make the jump when I have something that works so well for me already.

But then there’s that other saying - Never be afraid to try something new. Amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic. – (or something like that… ;) ) so I decided to give them a shot. Below you will find my review on Hammer Nutrition’s Endurolyte Fizz tablets, as well as a comparison between the Endurolytes Fizz and Nuun’s Electrolyte Enhanced Drink Tabs.

According to the Hammer Nutrition blog, the Endurolyte Fizz tabs were one of the products to take the longest from a nice idea to a finished, fully functional hydration/electrolyte choice. Obstacles to overcome were taste, the chemical stability and breakdown, as well as combining everything into a product that gives you a bang for your buck. Regarding the economics, I’ll quote the Hammer Blog so you can see what they had to say:

Endurolytes Fizz is economical as well, with 13 effervescent tablets in each tube—not 10 to 12, like some of the others—at a cost of $6.50 per tube, or 50 cents per tablet. One of the reasons why Endurolytes Fizz costs less is that, unlike other effervescent electrolyte products, it doesn’t contain inconsequential amounts of vitamins or other nutrients, which only serve to increase the price. Instead, you get the full-spectrum electrolytic mineral support that you need, along with adequate amounts of auxiliary nutrients, just like you do with Endurolytes capsules or powder, but without the hefty price tag. Compare Endurolytes Fizz to the competition and you’ll see that you’re saving a lot of money!

Originally available in Grapefruit, Mango, and Lemon-Lime, the Endurolyte Fizz’s also now come in Peach. I’ve had the joy of trying all the different flavors, and according to my personal tastes I would rank them (from best to worst) as follows: Grapefruit > Lemon-Lime > Peach > Mango.

I will admit that I pretty much hate mangos, in any shape or form, so you may want to disregard that last ranking and just try it for yourself! I felt that all of the flavors were subtle – not overwhelming your water bottle or sickly sweet – in what I believe leads to a drink that’s crisp and refreshing, rather than something that tastes like juice. The “fizz” component of Endurolytes Fizz was also pretty mild, which I appreciated because no one likes bubbles up their nose during a 40 minute threshold interval. Each Endurolyte Fizz tablet is said to contain just 10 calories, <1g carbohydrate, a $#!&ton of Vitamin B6 and Maganese, 200mg sodium, 100mg potassium, and 50 mg magnesium. (See nutrition label at left.)

LIKES: I like the subtlety of the fizz and flavor. I like that you get a bonus tablets (13 in Hammer, vs. 12 in Nuun), and I really like the Grapefruit flavor!! I also like that this is a [practically] calorie / carb free product. As I explained in the HYDRATION issue of Train On Top, I like to be able to control the amount of extra energy I need (depending on the length/intensity of the workout) by adding my own magic to the mix. ;)

DISLIKES: There are only four flavors, and I really dislike one of them (coughmangocough). I know Hammer touts the affordability of these little tabs, but at $6.50 a tube (or 50 cents/tablet), I guess I dont’ feel that it’s worth quite that much. (You could by 34.2 bananas at Trader Joe’s for $6.50.) Nor is it any more affordable than “the other” product. That “bonus” tablet doesn’t really seem like a bonus anymore once you realize both products cost $0.50/tab, and the product with 13 tabs instead of 12 costs $0.50 more. Doh!

How about a little Nuun vs. Hammer throw down? Lets look at just the facts:

Nuun flavors: banana, fruit punch, lemon lime, tropical, kona kola, orange, citrus fruit, tri berry, grape, lemon tea, strawberry lemonade
Endurolytes flavors: lemon-lime, peach, grapefruit, mango

Nuun tablets per tube: 12
Endurolytes tablets per tube: 13

Nuun cost per tube / tablet: $6.00 / $0.50
Endurolytes cost per tube / tablet: $6.50 / $0.50

And the less objective measures….

Nuun flavor intensity (scale of 1-10, 10 being highest): 7
Endurolyte flavor intensity (scale of 1-10, 10 being highest): 4

Nuun fizz intensity (scale of 1-10, 10 being highest): 7
Endurolyte fizz intensity (scale of 1-10, 10 being highest): 4

Nuun flavor options: 11 choices. My favorites = Citrus Fruit, followed by Kona Kola. Least favorite = Tri-Berry*
Endurolytes flavor options: 4 choices. My favorite = Grapefruit. My least favorite = Mango
*I have not tried several of Nuun’s new flavors, including Lemon Tea, Grape, Raspberry Lemonade, or Tropical, so can’t give a fair opinion on those. Nor can I be held responsible if you try them and think they taste like “armpit.”

FINAL GRADE: I’d give the Hammer Endurolyte Fizz tablets a B. The three factors bringing the grade down are 1) cost, 2) limited flavor options, and 3) the Mango. Ick.

But the score that really matters (to Hammer at least) is the amount sold. After all, a business is a business and they need to make a profit. Good, solid products typically have no problem selling! It is up to YOU to decide that for yourself, so if you’re curious about these little electrolytning fizzy drink tabs, I’d suggest you give them a try!

Reader Qs:

Have you tried the Endurolyte Fizz tabs? What did you think? Which was your favorite? Do you use electrolyte products like these during your workouts or racing? Do you have a different favorite drink product I haven’t talked about yet? I’m definitely open to other reviews!

Take care amigos,
-E

Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags: , , , ,
The Triathlon Rx | May 10, 2011
5 comments

BRICK season

No time for a real post… need to just finish this dang study guide for my last EVER exercise physiology exam. (Woooah there! Kidding. Masters program.)

HOWEVER, I felt the need to update quickly and say…

IT’S BRICK SEASON.

(Yes. I really did go outside and pull a brick out of our patio border just for the purpose of taking this photo. I think there’s a small animal in that 4th hole.)

((TWSS.))

(((So. Sorry. Had to.)))

Don’t know what a “BRICK” is (outside of the patio paving variety)? Handy. Here you go. This was by no means my first brick of the season. But it was definitely the first one that left me feeling somewhat like I could race again this year. Maybe. ;) Here are the breakdowns:

Bike 20.4 miles – 1:02:13 (3:02/mile or 19.67 mph)
Run 5K –  0:21:24 (6:54/mile or 8.69 mph)

Given that this 20 mile loop is within the box of the city (read: has some slow traffic spots, like going under the bridge from Calhoun to Isles behind someone with a dog in their bike basket…) I will totally take a 19.67 mph average. The run? Not super impressive. But again, considering that quite recently I thought running and I had broken up for good, anything sub 7, even if it’s just barely, is enough to put a smile on my face. See it? :D

And because today is a Tuesday, meaning this should technically be a Tried It Tuesday, I have a review for you. On the Asics Sky Speeds.

(Only it will have to wait until this final is DONE… hahah I had to include the link somehow!)

I will in short say that I like ‘em. A lot. More than the Brooks Green Silence and more than the Asics DS Trainer. Could the Sky Speed really be “the one”?? Will have to wait for a conclusive answer on that one until the end of the racing season…

READER Qs:

For my triathletes, what’s your favorite brick workout? I know it breaks the order, but there is a certain swim/run wko that I LOVE and will be returning to the second my lake warms up enough to swim in! On the Tried It Tuesday note, are there any products anyone is curious about or would like to see reviewed here at DTR? Or any product category (rehab, compression, shoes, nutrition – you name it) in particular?

And finally, one word of advice:

Sweat in the eyes. It happens frequently, and aside from wearing a 80s-esque headband, all I can say is roll with it. Let your tear production kick in and rinse it out. Do not try to rub sweat out of your eye. It will most certainly fail. And if you are wearing contacts, you may fail as well by rubbing your lens out with still 3/4 mile to go. Just. Don’t. Do. It.

That is all!

-E

Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags: , , ,
The Triathlon Rx | March 8, 2011
8 comments

Tried It Tuesday // Craft Active Mittens

Circulation isn’t exactly my forte. Coming out of the water in just about any tri and you can be sure I’ll have numb toes. I’ve been in tears coming in from a winter run because the blood trying to get back into my fingertips is so painful. And I don’t think I can just blame living in Minnesota and our cold temperatures either, because it happens at -20° below windchill and it has happened at 10° above. Short run… long run… it doesn’t seem to discriminate. So is it me? Or is it my gear? A combination of the two?

ME: To be fair, I am a very temperature sensitive person. I either seem to be super hot when no one else is, or freezing and wrapped in a blanket when no one else is. Although when it comes to running in the winter, more often than not all my running buddies will be just fine and I’m borderline frostbite on the extremities.

GEAR: I don’t know what to tell you… I’ve tried everything! (Or so I thought.) Gloves. Mittens. Gloves with a wind-shell mitten on top. Ski mittens that make me look like I’m running with oven mitts. (Hey… I never tried oven mitts! Maybe I gave up too soon.)

One thing that does for sure work is the sweet little invention called “Lil Hotties” … elsewhere known as Hot Hands. They’re mostly used for ice fishing/hunting/etc., but stick a pair inside your mittens and without a doubt your fingers will be toasty. However, each pair is only usable once, meaning it’s not a very cost effective solution to buy a pair for every winter run. (Funny side note – when I was a kid I thought these were made from gun powder. Maybe because my grandpa used them hunting? :P )

ENTER: Craft Active Mittens

If you’ve never heard an angel sing, put these on and go outside for a run when it’s below zero and the wind is making it feel like -25°. Return home (/to car) and whip off mitten to grab for key. Suddenly, thoughts will be zooming through your mind at a speed faster than you’ve ever run a mile, sounding something like:

Wait. My fingers are bending… [checking to make sure they’re not broken.] I can actually feel the key in my pocket. [Pinches arm to make sure not dreaming. Turns the key and goes inside.] WAIT. Where is the blood rush? And why are they pink!?! [Touches fingers to face to make sure this is not an illusion. No, they’re real. Runs to find wife/husband/children/dog and grabs one of them by the arm.] LOOK!! [Holding up mobile, fully innervated and functioning hands and fingers.] THEY WORK! [Met with stares of confusion. But by this point, you don’t care. You’re already pulling your mittens back on to go out for another mile.]

Or something very similar. I can’t even just chalk this review up to being dramatic – they honestly change my attitude when going out for a run. This has been a long and cold winter here in Minnesota, and truthfully I was becoming a bit of a fair weather runner. Not any more!! Craft’s motto is “Where Athlete Meets Atmosphere” and they definitely provide products that meet that expectation.

[Legal disclosure: Oh wait, I don’t need one. I bought these mittens with mi propio dinero and no one asked me to review them. What now FTC guidelines? ;) ]

I know many of you outside the state of MN are thinking, um, a little late for the warmest ever mitten review, dontcha think? (Only being that you are from outside MN, you might not have “dontcha.”) However, winter is far from over here in our little corner of the North, so I won’t be packing these away just yet. Also, the end of a season is a fantastic time to stock up on gear –winter apparel goes on sale so stores can get their spring lines out. And [unfortunately] it’s not like winter is going to go away for good, so by stocking up at the end of the season you save money AND you’re prepared for that early storm next year.

If you’re a Twin Cities local and are thinking where can I get a pair of those?! Or any other winter items you want to stock up on (Craft? Sugoi? Mizuno? Got it!!) shoot me a comment or an email and I’ll hook you up with a good deal. :D

drtrirunner [at] gmail [dot] com

Reader Qs:

What do you use for mittens/gloves? (I know there are some of you in tropical conditions (read: 30° +) that have no use for such items. One word: jealousy.) Do you run outside or indoors in the winter, or both? Do you have a cutoff point where it’s just “too cold”?

Be happy, be warm, and catch ya in a couple of days!

-E

Category: Tried It Tuesday | Tags: , ,
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