Connecting You to a Healthy Life!

Christmas Wish List

It’s that time of year. Everyone is out looking for that perfect gift. Everone is asking what’s on your list.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved going through the Sears catalogue when I was a kid. I’m sure I had a hefty wish list. But this season, I’m having a hard time thinking of things to ask for.

We’re so blessed that we have not one Christmas tree at our house but two full evergreens lit up and decorated. I truly have much more than I need.

Instead of material things, I came up with an alternative list.

  1. Experiences: I’d love to do things with my loved ones more often. Ideally, they would all train for race we could do together. Sleigh rides and explorations in the woods would be fun, too.
  2. Good Health: I’ve been blessed with good health and injury-free running lately. I’d love to find a couple more healthy seasons wrapped up under the tree.
  3. Hard Track Workouts: Does everyone love the feeling of depleted muscles after a rocking interval sesson? I do. Let’s come up with some new ones together.
  4. Ice and Snow: Please don’t put these under the tree, but I’d like a lot of  them outside. I love to freeze my eye lashes and goatee.
  5. Inspiration: Sure, this could be found in a new training log or a new running book, but it could also come from a new running buddy or a new trail to run.
  6. Fun Races: They could be trail races, obstacle courses, beer runs, relays, whatever. I’d love to explore a new place via a new race.

So, here’s my Christmas wish list. It’s short on products, but long on fun. If you really want to buy me something boxable, I do like this Saucony hoodie.

 

9th December 2011
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Battle of the Gloves

Cold hands = Painful run
Thankfully, Gazelle can help. We have a great glove selection. Here’s a run down of the main options (I didn’t do all of our gloves because it would take too long).

Saucony Ulti-Mitt

The Saucony Ulti-Mitt is available in black, ViziPro Pink, and ViziPro Green. The mitten part stores in the back of the glove when it is not needed. These hatchback gloves run a little large. I’m a medium in all the other gloves, but I had to go down to a small in the Saucony line. I thought the pink would be a different size, but they fit the same as the other colors. The Ulti-Mitt (besides using ViziPro and reflective logo) comes equipped with Saucony’s rechargeable LED. These little lights are super bright and recharge in your USB port in only 20 minutes. They also have a “convertible” thumb, so you MP3 junkies can use the bevel on your Ipod. Most of the gloves have added a plush “clothe wipe” for your nose. It sounds kind of gross, but that’s what it’s for. This glove is $45.
The Saucony Protectioin Glove also has the rechargeable LED, the ViziPro colors,

Saucony Protection Glove

and the reflective logo. Don’t worry. They threw in the nose wiping accessory, too. It feels a little thicker than the Ulti-Mitt, but it’s not a hatchback. Saucony did include small magnets in the collar of the gloves. This makes it easier to keep them together as a pair. They go for $50.

Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitt

The Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitt definitely fits snugger than the Saucony gloves do. It also comes up much higher on the wrist. This higher wrist comes with a small key pocket that seems relatively secure even though it doesn’t have snap, zipper, or velcro. The great thing about these hatchbacks (and really all hatchbacks) is that the shell that covers the fingers is wind resistant. This keeps your fingers warmer because they are protected from the wind and also because they are huddled together. These gloves are $30.

Pearl Izumi Select Softshell Lite Glove

The Pearl Izumi Select Softshell Lite Glove fits similarly to the Shine Wind Mitt, just without the finger covering. This didn’t seem like it would block the wind quite as well. It was very comfortable, though. It also features grippy accents on the palm and fingers and a plush fleece on the back of the thumb. The cost is $30.

Brooks Adapt Glove

The Brooks Adapt Glove fits a little loose (the picture to the left is a size medium). It features a “convertible” thumb as well as the hatchback covering. Brooks advertises the hatchback shell as water resistant, but I’m not sure if it blocks water any better than the other hatchbacks. They do make it highly visible with the Nightlife color and reflective logo. Brooks sews small magnets into the color of their gloves to make it easier to keep them together between uses. These gloves are $30.

Brooks Vapor Dry2 Gloves

The Brooks Vapor Dry2 Glove also has the Nightlife coloring. Like the Adapt glove, it also has a “convertible” thumb for MP3 control. They have a fleece nose wiping accessory and magnets in the collar. They cost $28.

Mizuno Breath Thermo Glove

The Mizuno Breath Thermo Glove fits a little loose, but I think it would work well as a liner or alone. It’s quite thin and has the feel of one of those cheap, cotton stretch gloves. It’s no simple cotton glove, though. It has Mizuno’s Breath Thermo thread woven into the fabric. If you’re not familiar with Breath Thermo, it reacts to moisture to create a small amount of heat. I really like it for $20.
The last glove in my review is the Mizuno Breath Thermo Fleece. This glove is thicker than the regulary Breath

Mizuno Breath Thermo Fleece

Thermo glove. It also fits much smaller. I found the palm and fingers to be too short. It would probably be a good option for someone with small hands. It also has the Breath Thermo thread woven into it. It costs $28.
12th November 2011
Product, Uncategorized
READ MORE

Sidewalk Sales

Hey,

Just a quick blog to let you know that  we’ve got a ton of stuff ready for Sidewalk Sales. We’re still all about helping you find the best shoe for your foot, though. All of us are skilled at evaluating your gate and your foot. Find someone in a red shirt on Friday and ask their advice.

Sometimes customers see the endless tables chocked full of shoes and assume they need to fend for themselves. Please don’t make this mistake. We’re eager to answer any questions you may have, and we really want you to be in the right shoe.

We've got a shoe for you.

We’ve got a pretty big collection available, too. I saw thousands of running shoes from motion control to minamalist style. We’ve even got some Vibram’s on sale this year. Please, let us help you find the right one.

Even books are on sale. You can save 20% on The Long Run by Matt Long. Then you can read it and join our Runners’ Book Club in two weeks (August 25).

11th August 2011
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Huge Sale

I used to love going to garage sales. It’s fun to find great deals on cool, hard-to-find things. It’s also funny to see the things that some people try to sell and the prices they try to get for them. The guy asking $20 for the singing bass doesn’t really want to sell it. The old couple selling their undergarments should probably be avoided — especially when you see them in church the next week.

On my run today, I realized that this is the prime season for garage sales. We don’t make it to many of them any more because taking two boys in and out of their car seats at multiple stops is exhausting. It did make me think about having a running garage sale.

As in most sales, some things are useful but just not used very often. Some things are awful and should just be pitched. Other things are very valuable and a deal at any price.

Here’s what I’ve got:

5k Races: 12 for 10 cents. These are great and can be a great deal of fun. I just don’t have much use for them. They hurt too much. I’ve got to run so hard that I want to vomit for almost 20 minutes to get a good time. Someone not as concerned with a fast time can get a lot more use out of them.

Marathon Medals: $75/medal. These belong in the same category as that guy’s singing fish. They have much more value to me than to anyone else. I just got RunnerGirl’s permission to display them in our home. As I took them out of their decorative box, it was wonderful to reminisce about all the races. I priced them at $75 each because Runner’s World just listed this as the average price for marathons.

Pasta: $5 Where would we be without carbs?

Sweet looking new shoes: $140. Have you seen the new Enigma from Mizuno? How about the Elixir? Saucony’s Kinvara 2 and Mirage look pretty cool, too. Even Asics has stepped up their game with the new DS Trainer.

Come into the store to get a better look at all of these shoes.

Local Races: $2. It is so fun to roll out of your own bed and go to a race with all you neighbors. (Please note: I’m not really selling these races.)

Races at Night: $3. It’s a fun way to change things up to run at night. The price doubles if a headlamp is required because it is so much cooler.

Cool summer mornings: $50. After running in the heat and humidity, I really appreciate the coolness of the morning. It almost makes me glad my two boys wake up call comes at 6:30 every day. Almost.

Wicking clothing: Not for Sale. Go to Gazelle Sports and get your own.

Wicking clothing that smells bad: $1. Using SportWash can help remove the funk. Do it before you run with your running partner again. Please.

Bloody nipples, self-doubt, cramps, plantar fasciitis (let’s just include all injuries), foolish drivers, “Run, Forest, Run” taunts, sun burns and skin cancer, guys trying to pass me at the finish line, guys running in my shadow for the entire race, broken watch bands and dead watch batteries, Ipods in races, and cotton socks: Free. Seriously. I just want to be rid of all these things for good. I wouldn’t even put them in the donation box for Goodwill. Why should they get junk like this. Just take it to the dump.

These are the items in my running garage sale. What would you put in yours?

8th July 2011
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Walk Safely

Here’s a gift that every runner in Michigan needs to have: The Yaktrax Pro. In Michigan, running on snow and ice is something that runners deal with for more than a couple months. It’s awkward and dangerous, but the Yaktrax make it much easier. I’ve tried other anti-slip running devices and Yaktrax are my favorite. I like the Yaktrax for several reasons.

The first reason is that they stay on my feet. The Pro Series feature a velcro strap that keeps them secure on the shoe (don’t buy the cheaper version without the strap, though). I’ve had other devices that work their way off and go flying mid-run.

Next, I like how versatile these babies are. I’ve had spiked versions that were very uncomfortable every time I ran on the street. They didn’t work as well because the street often was plowed closer to the ground and the spikes didn’t have anything to sink into. They skittered across the surface. My Yaktrax feel fine when running on dry pavement. Of course, they last longer if you can avoid dry pavement, but you won’t mind the occasional stretches of dry land in your Yaktrax.

Finally, they are very secure. I don’t recall ever slipping in my Yaktrax. They work so well that we’ve recommended them to seniors and even given them to our grandparents for when the driveway is iced over. At only $32, it is an investment in safety. Get yours today.

22nd December 2010
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Compression Socks

My love of compression socks is well documented. Compression helps the veins and arteries work more efficiently. That means that waste products are removed more quickly and freshly oxygenated blood arrives more quickly, too. In addition, the muscle groups are supported and muscle vibration is limited. All this means that you can run more with less effort and less fatigue. Not only that, but recovery time is also lessened. So you know compression socks are on my Christmas list.

We just got the new SmartWool Compression socks into Gazelle. I haven’t tried them yet, but I would love to find them in my stocking on December 25. I’m sure the runner on your list would feel the same. Stop in and grab a few pairs before Friday.

21st December 2010
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Protect yourself

Okay, this one is for guys and the women who love them. The Brooks Equilibrium Windbrief Boxer is a must for all guys running in the winter winds.

Most running shorts have a liner. The liner eliminates the need for running underwear most of the time. Many guys don’t own running underwear for this purpose, but when winter arrives they are out of luck. If a guy chooses to go with coton undergarments, he face the hell of inconvenient chafing locations. If he goes commando, the wind can leave very sensitive regions numb (or worse). Enter Brooks with the answer. The Equilibrium Windbrief Boxer has a strategically placed windproof panel that will keeps vital areas protected from the fierce winter winds. This wind protection is a must under those lovely tights you’ve purchased for your loved one. It is the best $30 a guy could ever spend.

20th December 2010
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Men in Tights?

People constantly ask me if I run outside in the winter. I always tell them that all it takes a good gear to make winter running work. It doesn’t take all that much, either. A couple of good thermal layers, a light shell to block some of the wind, hat, gloves, and a pair of tights. That’s when a lot of the men look at me funny. Most men believe that they’ll only wear tights in public after acquiring some new kind of super power. Even then, they’d probably want a mask like Spider-man.

The Breath Thermo Pant is $70 and suitable for super heroes and regulary guys.

A lot of the running companies figured that out, so now most brands make a running pant that is much looser fitting. It’s still tapered enough to not get in the way of running, but it’s also loose enough to not make men blush. My favorite pant in this category is the Mizuno Breath Thermo Pant.

I run in Mizuno’s running pant almost every day of the winter. I like the cut, and I like the fit. I also love the fabric. The breath Thermo fabric is moisture-wicking like all of my running gear, but it also has a special thread woven inside. This thread reacts to moisture to produce a small amount of heat. It’s not so much heat that it is uncomfortable but just enough heat to give it an advantage over other gear. They are my favorite running pants and would look great under the Christmas tree, too.

18th December 2010
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Wool for Runners

You’ve all heard me rave about SmartWool’s use of Merino wool. You know that Merino wool is softer than other wool and that it’s not scratchy. Wool insulates and regulated temperature even if it is wet. It doesn’t absorb odors, and it wicks moisture very well. Nike has also been listening to the praises of wool. They’ve arrived on the scene with this beautiful wool thermal top.

The Nike Wool Thermal is $75.

Nike’s Wool Thermal Top is 41% Merino wool and 59% Polyester. It has a great feel, and I really want one to add to my winter running collection. Of course, Nike has stylish colors and styles. Plus, it works. This top will make you eager to head on on the sloppiest days to show what a dedicated runner you are. Your secret is, you know that good gear makes the weather much less of a factor. They even added a small reflective strip if it’s warm enough to run without a shell on top of your thermal layer.

17th December 2010
Uncategorized
READ MORE

You better watch out,

You better watch out,

You better not cry,

You better not pout,

I’m tellin’ you why

Ok, I can’t sing, but the Better Sweater from Patagonia might make that special someone on your list behave a little better. It looks great and feels amazing. Patagonia is renowned for their high-quality products. They start out looking beautiful and just keep performing year after year. In fact, you may have to “lose” some of your Patagonia stuff in order to “need” new stuff.

Red

Black

The Better Sweater provides warmth without the bulk. It has a quarter-zip or full-zip style to help you regulate your temperature. It’s so comfortable, you may want to purchase several different colors of this style.

16th December 2010
Uncategorized
READ MORE

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 18 other subscribers

Twitter Stream

Recent Comments