The Cross Training Cyclist

I really liked the taste and convenience of the Tailwind drink mix. It did supply me with plenty of fuel for my long runs without having to take electrolyte drinks and gels with me. Having to take less with me is a great thing, especially on longer runs where I would have had to take 5+ gels with me. I plan in using Tailwind drink mixes in my future races and found it useful in my trainings at various distances. Give it a try and you will probably be a fan too. Go to the Tailwinds website to purchase yours today.

Note: I received this product in exchange for a review. The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it. I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Grayl Ultralight Purifier + Filter Bottle Review

Have you ever been out on a trail run or on a hike and run out of water? I have and it was terrible. I had a long way back to the car and I didn’t want to drink from a questionable stream. The water looked clean, but you never know what could be lurking in that water. I have seen tons of water filtration devices on the market, but many of them are either not portable, weigh a lot, or require special lights/batteries to work. There is a new water filtration device that not only filters water, but purifies it as well. Meet the Grayl Ultralight Purifier + Filter Bottle.

The Grayl Ultralight bottle is currently part of a Kickstarter campaign that will be running until March 4^th. Grayl was founded by Nancie Weston in 2012 and is based out of Seattle, Washington. Nancie was concerned about plastic pollution and the poor quality and taste of water that she experienced when traveling. She wanted to create a personal water filtration system that actually worked, was easy to use, and could be taken wherever her travels might take her.

The first two products that were produced by Grayl were the Quest and Legend purifiers. While they are both great products, Grayl wanted to make a more streamlined product for adventure enthusiasts that want the filtration capabilities without the extra weight. “We stripped away every unnecessary ounce and element. So all that’s left is the perfect tool” says Travis Merrigan, the companies COO and co-founder.

The Ultralight is not designed to replace your Camelbak. You would want to still have something to carry your water. This also isn’t going to be something you take on your 5k or half marathons. The Ultralight is great for long trail runs or hiking where you want to refill your hydration pack on the go. You could even fill up hydration packs for all of your buddies, if you feel like they deserve it.

The Ultralight would also be ideal for camping, traveling, or even in your disaster preparation kit. Just imagine going to Mexico or some other destination where the water isn’t safe to drink out of the tap. The Ultralight could make the difference between enjoying your vacation and spending days in bed or on the toilet. With just one press of the Ultralight, you remove 99.999% of viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts. It also filters particulates, chemicals like chlorine and benzene, and heavy metals including lead and arsenic. With several major cities having problems with their drinking water, this could really be beneficial.

The Ultralight is so simple product to use that anyone can use it. You just fill up the bottle with water (to the line), insert the inner press, and push down. You have clean, purified water in less than 15 seconds. How awesome is that.

Pros:

Very lightweight at only 10.9 ounces

One cartridge replaces 300 single-use water bottles (great for the environment)

Great price, starting at $49

Can be used for travel, sports, or during natural disasters

Removes/filters viruses, bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals and more

Grayl’s Media Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Blog

The only way to get your Grayl Ultralight bottle at this time is through their Kickstarter campaign that is currently running through March 4^th. A Kickstarter pledge of $49 or more gets you the Ultralight bottle (Estimated retail price is over $60 + taxes and shipping) or for $69 or more will get you the Ultralight bottle and a replacement filter (Estimated retail price is over $85 + taxes and shipping). The estimated delivery for the Ultralight is in June 2016. You can purchase the Quest or Legend at the Grayl website if you just can’t wait that long, although it isn’t quite as light as the Ultralight. I have been in situations where the Grayl Ultralight would have really come in handy. If you like to trail run, hike, or travel, give the Ultralight a try. I love mine and I am sure you will too.

Friday, January 15, 2016

RAD Rod Review

I was so impressed with the RAD Roller products I reviewed a few weeks back that I contacted the company about testing out one more of their products, the RAD Rod. It can be used in conjunction with the Helix and I really wanted to see if the RAD Rod could impress me as much as the Rad Roller and Helix did (click here to see my review).

RAD Roller is based out of Boulder Colorado, one of the healthiest places in America. Michael Mallory, a biomechanics specialist, and Dan McIntosh, a professional triathlete, came up with the idea to fill a void in the massage tool industry. They wanted to create a massage tool that could be used on the back that would not put pressure on the bones in your back and neck. This is a common complaint I have with almost every foam roller out there. That is where the RAD Roller came into existence.

After a short time, the RAD Roller was expanded from the original (blue) to a firmer model (black) and a softer model (green). They look like two racquetballs that are attached in the center. RAD Roller quickly expanded their lineup. Another product is the Rad Rod, which is a thin rod that is made to push the waste materials out of your soft tissue.

The Rad Rod is 21.25” long and about .75” in diameter. Its handles are covered in blue silicon, which provides a great grip. The rotating center of the rod is made up of grey EVA foam, which is the material in the midsoles of many running shoes. The smaller size and low weight (only 1 lb. 2 oz.) makes this an easy piece of equipment to travel with.

I was very impressed with both the RAD Roller and Helix, but the RAD Rod blew me away. I have been able to focus on areas of my legs that I simply can’t with my traditional foam rollers. I was able to roll out knots deep in my muscles that I never knew I had. After only using the RAD Rod for about a week and my legs feel more rested and ready for my runs.

Like I said earlier, you can use the Rad Rod with the Helix. They even sell them as a kit (you save $10 by buying it as a kit). The Rad Rod goes inside the Helix and you can roll out your muscles or have your wife, husband, or whoever else, work on your back, neck, or other hard to reach areas. You can take turns and both feel great afterward.

Pros:

Great Price $39 Rad Rod ($78 kit)

Can easily travel with you.

Can release tension and toxin in hard to reach areas

Can really massage deep into your muscles

RAD Rollers’ Media Links:

Blog

I love my RAD Roller products. The Rad Rod is my favorite, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. I still use my OPTP stretch out strap every night, but my RAD Roller products have become part of my nightly recovery plan. You can pick up the RAD Rod for $39.00 and the Rad Rod/HELIX kit for $78.00. They are available on the RAD Roller website and at Amazon. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Proviz REFLECT360 Gilet Review

If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know that safety is a big concern for me and I stress the importance of safety a lot. You can never expect that drivers will see you in a bike lane next to the road, but there are some lights and clothing that will increase your visibility.

Proviz was started in London by two brothers who worked corporate jobs and commuted by bicycle. They used equipment to help them be more visible but realized that there was a void in the market that they wanted to fill. The first device they invented was an electroluminescent light pack. The company’s most popular products are in the REFLECT360 series which was introduced in 2014. It is unique because it uses 100% reflective materials, which look grey in the daytime, but is highly reflective at night. The REFLECT360 series includes jackets, gilets, vests, backpacks, helmet covers and more.

I am reviewing the REFLECT360 gilet. First of all, I was absolutely shocked by how reflective it really was. The tag that came with the gilet, which is similar to a vest, said to take a picture with your camera’s flash on. I have included pictures with my flash on and off so you can see the difference.

The gilet has several features that really make a difference. The shoulders are fitted, which works hand in hand with the armholes. They hug your arms so there is no excess material, which would allow air to get in and cool you off. They don’t restrict arm movement either. There are two zippered side pockets where you can put your gloves, a hat, or your phone. The back of the gilet is perforated to allow heat and moisture to escape. There are zipper pull tags so you don’t need to take your gloves off to get your pockets open. There is a softer material around the neck area for comfort as well.

I was very pleased with the fit and function of the REFLECT360 gilet. It has been a little cold and the gilet allows me to keep my core a little warmer, while not totally overheating. I noticed that my sweat made the reflective material work even better, not that it is a real selling point. I believe that Proviz uses the same type of glass beads in their gear that is used in the striping of your local roads. There really isn’t any comparison between this and other visibility products as far as what is more visible.

Pros:

Decent Price as low as $52.97 (on Amazon)

Light weight and breathable

Makes you very visible to traffic

Proviz’s Media Links:

Blog

This will be one of the products I feature in my running safety post where I provide the best safety products out there. The REFLECT360gilet is comfortable, looks good, and it will make sure you are seen. While you should still make sure to be a defensive runner and always pay attention to oncoming traffic, this is one product that could really help you to be safer. You can pick yours up at the Proviz website or on Amazon.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

RAD Roller and HELIX Review

There are so many options of foam rollers, self-massage tools, and vitamins that claim to help you recover faster or become more injury resistant. They come in all shapes and sizes, cost anywhere from a little to a lot, and help to focus on different areas of your body. I saw a roller called the HELIX from RAD Roller. It had a very different shape than many of your typical foam rollers or sticks. I was fortunate enough to be able to test out the HELIX and another product that they offer called the RAD Roller, their original product.

After a short time, the RAD Roller was expanded from the original (blue) to a firmer model (black) and a softer model (green). They look like two racquetballs that are attached in the center. The balls dig into the areas along your spine in your neck and back, but the gap between the balls does not put pressure on the spine itself. I have found that my back and neck are two areas where I really have to take care of because they are areas that I tend to be more injury prone. In fact, I have had neck pain off and on for years and after only a few weeks of using the RAD Roller, I have notice a significant reduction in neck pain. All I have to say is WOW!!!

The HELIX is another great tool for unlocking stiffness in your neck and back and is also great for flushing out toxins from your muscles. The HELIX is 12.5 inches long and 3 inches wide. It only weighs one pound and is has a unique shape. RAD Roller designed the HELIX shape to mimic the double helix, which are the building blocks of our bodies. The design, like the RAD Roller, has a void in the center of the roller to ensure that you do not put pressure on your spine. It doesn’t make sense to hurt yourself when you are trying to relieve stiffness does it?

I have to say that I really like both the RAD Roller and HELIX. I find that the RAD Roller can be used to work out knots and stiffness in almost any muscle. It really gets into those muscles in ways that larger foam rollers cannot. I tested the original RAD Roller and found that the stiffness was just right for me. The HELIX is great for really working on your back and neck. I found that it took a little while to get used to the smaller diameter because I was used to larger diameter foam rollers. Don’t let this scare you though. The HELIX truly does work muscles in ways a traditional foam roller cannot.

The main reason why they made their products the sizes that they do is to make sure that they are easy to pack for your family vacations or races out of town. Try doing that with your 3 foot long foam roller. Click here for HELIX exercises. Click here for RAD Roller exercises.

Pros:

Great Prices

Can easily travel with you.

Can release tension and toxin in hard to reach areas

Multiple firmness options for the RAD Roller

RAD Rollers’ Media Links:

Blog

I am so glad that I stumbled across the RAD Roller and HELIX. They are both amazing products that could really take your recovery and training to the next level. You can pick up the RAD Roller for $24.99 and the HELIX for $49.00. They are both available on the RAD Roller website and at Amazon. They also offer kits that include multiple RAD Roller products. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Therawheel Review

In the world of recovery, there are tools that come in all different shapes and sizes. I have tried rollers, lacrosse balls, roller sticks, foot rollers, and compression gear. I got the Therawheel to test out and I was excited because it combines an ab roller and tool to roll out muscles.

The Therawheel was designed by Certified Athletic Trainer Tom Jennings. Tom has over 25 years in the sports and fitness field. He has helped people from the weekend warrior to Olympic athletes prevent and recover from injures. Tom also spent 6 years working for the Indiana Pacers.

The Therawheel looks like an ab roller, which is not a new tool. Tom took this idea to a whole new level by making small changes in the design for use in trigger point release is new. Tom made the wheels concaved with wider and thinner sections, depending on what part of the wheel you use on your muscles. I really liked this aspect of the Therawheel because it made it simple to adjust the amount of intensity you wanted to use on a specific muscle.

I tried the Therawheel Core. This model has two wheels that are attached to a padded shaft. The wheels roll easily and you can find several video’s on YouTube if you type Therawheel in the search bar. Here are two videos that are common injuries for new runners.

Pros:

Multiple uses (massage/exercise)

Decent price

Can adjust intensity easily

Therawheel’s Media Links:

Twitter

Blog

I really like the Therawheel. It really got into some muscles like no other tool I have tried. In my testing, I used the Therawheel for ab workouts and some existing issues that are a result of my marathon training. The Therawheel Core costs $49.95 an can be purchased at the Therawheel website. I will continue to foam roll and stretch, but the introduction of the Therawheel is just another tool that will help me to remain injury free and work through any injuries that I experience.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Oral IV Hydration Review

Hydration should be a part of your run/race plans. If you don’t properly hydrate, it can lead to a decrease in performance as well as an increase in time it takes for you to recover from a workout or run.

This is especially true in the summer when dehydration can occur more easily. When you sweat, your blood volume decreases, which leads to less blood being pumped to your heart. This in turn reduces the amount of oxygen rich blood that is pumped back out to your muscles. That is why you will run at a slower pace when you are dehydrated. Also, in the heat, your body sends more of your blood to the surface of your skin to help remove heat. You will have to work a lot harder to maintain the same level of exercise. So why should you take in electrolytes?

Electrolytes drinks usually are made up of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and artificial sweeteners. There are theories that electrolyte drinks can prevent cramping but there is just as much proof against that theory as for it. The true benefits of taking in electrolytes is that it assists in fluid balance and absorption. The flavoring of these drinks is to make them more appealing.

I ran across Oral IV in a Facebook ad. I wanted to see what it was all about and after reading the information and reviews online, I knew I wanted to see if it really worked. I reached out to Oral IV and they sent me some samples to test. The package showed up about 2 weeks before my marathon, so I had a great opportunity to put OralIV to the ultimate test. I also had my running partner try it out.

Oral IV is different from your normal electrolyte tabs or drinks. First of all, Oral IV comes in a little plastic vile with liquid inside. Oral IV is made with a group of trace minerals including sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, manganese, selenium, copper, calcium, silicon and zinc. These trace minerals make up a formula that activates your body’s hydration processes. Oral IV is made from natural raw materials to avoid contamination and are biologically made so they do not have to be digested in order to be rapidly absorbed into your system. The mineral absorb directly through your soft tissues in your mouth. I know that this is a lot of technical information, so I will cut to the chase.

The Oral IV vial is small enough to keep in a pocket or water belt. You simply twist off the plastic top and drink. There is no flavor and no artificial ingredients, sugars, or stimulants which I really like. I like to put the Oral IV in my mouth and mix it with a gulp of water. The directions say you can take it before and after your workout and every 2 hours for longer trainings or races.

I tried Oral IV twice before my marathon and during the marathon itself. The effects that I felt include a reduced need for water and I felt like I recovered from these runs faster than normal. I had my hydration backpack and did not drink as much water as I normally would have, but did not feel like it hurt me at all. I think that is a direct result of taking Oral IV.

Pros:

Convenient small package (easy to take with you)

Decent price (for occasional use)

Sugar-free, stimulant-free, and artificial ingredient-free

Rapidly absorbed into your system

Helps maintain top performance

Decreases recovery time

Cons:

A little pricey for everyday use

Oral IV’s Media Links: