My 6 Summer Running Essentials

June 10, 2016July 4, 2016Leave a comment

The season to dawn the spf and take your training outdoors to the track, pavement, or trail is here! Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned marathoner, here are 6 summer essentials to support your training and help you to beat the heat.

Trail Mix Hydration Belt – Nathan. Hydration while out on a summer run is key. My preference has always been a waist belt in order to keep my hands free and posture/stride as natural as possible. Only recently have I come across Nathan who provide a variety of hydration belts with varying bottle sizes, belt shapes, and belt colours. To be honest, the Trail Mix belt caught my eye mainly because of the rad colour combination, what I later learned was that Nathan belts are the only bounce-free, easy-access, fully-adjustable, two-bottle belt available. Nathan also provide various bottle caps, allowing for you to customize the bottles even further. Available here. $68.00
Cross Train Gravity Trainer Pro – SPRI. A new season is also a great time to add new strength training exercises into your cross training program. Runners can increase muscle strength, endurance and balance from the comfort of their own home with the SPRI Cross Train Gravity Trainer Pro. This light, portable, full-body training tool leverages body weight to build muscle, boost core strength and increase flexibility, which is perfect for the runner looking to take their training to the next level. The four-point anchoring system easily hooks onto any door frame and adjusts to modify resistance levels for upper and lower body exercises. Also it’s compact design let’s you use it anywhere – weekend at the cottage? Take it with you! This versatile tool delivers hundreds of strength-building exercise options. Check out six full body moves here. Available here. $39.99
TRLCap “Stamped” – Red Rocks Edition – Ciele Athletics. Ciele Athletics caps are everywhere in Toronto as they as stylish and functional, and come in dozens of different colours. This TRL “Stamped” Red Rocks edition cap has caught my eye every since I saw it on the head of two of our runners. It’s the “trucker” style and made with lightweight, fast drying performance ready COOLwick™ mesh. It has reflective details for being seen while running in the cooler dawn or dusk, and has UPF +40 protection on the brim and front panel to keep you safe from the sun. Available online. $45.00
Graduated Compression Socks – Tiux. These are my go to compression socks! Whether you are heading out on your long run, or recovering from your workout, Tiux Graduated Performance Compression Socks are a great way to train harder and keep your legs energized all summer long. Engineered to help runners improve performance, reduce muscle fatigue and recover faster these socks are stylish and functional. Available online. $35.00
Forerunner 235 – Garmin. After my previous (and very unreliable) running watch died a couple years ago I never replaced it until this winter. I had been searching various Garmin products and the Forerunner 235 caught my eye. I’ve been using it every run since and LOVE it. It connects to GPS instantly, gives me amazing data for my runs (speed, stride length, heart rate), I admit that I was intimidated by the technology which is why I waited so long, but now I have it, I don’t know why I did. The Garmin Forerunner 235 has the same features as model 230 (which is very popular amongst our crew – almost every runner with a Gramin has this model), however the 235 has the addition of a wrist-based heart rate monitor. After falling in love with this feature in my FitBit Charge HR, I new I had to upgrade to this model. What’s more, it does not require a chest strap to get heart rate information. The Garmin Forerunner 235 looks great (in teal or black) and is functional tracking running, biking, as well as a number of smart features including displaying email and calls. Available from SportChek here. $479.99
NB Ice Hybrid Tank – New Balance. The perfect summer tank that feels like you’re just running in a sports bra. The NB ICE Hybrid Tank was designed for extreme breathability. A roomy mesh outer tank is layered over a body-hugging NB Ice crop for breezy comfort when your run or the weather heats up providing a fun, flowy, cool look. Plus, a convenient media cord tunnel holds your headphones in place and out of the way during your run. Available here. $44.99

Running Gift Ideas: 6 Gifts For The Runner On Your List

December 1, 2015December 6, 20151 Comment

Whether you’re shopping for the runner in your life or looking for ideas for your personal holiday wish list, check out these 6 presents for your favourite pavement pounder. These items will help you perform better, recover faster, and celebrate every run.

As a runner, what do you covet most? What have I left off the list? Let me know in the comment section below. Happy holidays.

1. Jabra Sport Pulse wireless ear buds. It’s a wireless headset that’s also an all-in-one fitness trainer. The Pulse wireless headphones by Jabra feature a clinical grade in-ear heart rate monitor and audio coaching with the included Jabra Sport LIFE smartphone app. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, these headphones have a built-in mic, are lightweight, and have ear clips for a secure fit. Available in store at Best Buy and online. $249.99

2. NB Heat Hoodie. When your favourite runner is diving deep into the cold, this scuba-inspired women’s hoodie is their best friend. The shaped hood fits closely and covering the mouth for coziness they won’t have to constantly adjust. And thumbhole cuffs add even more warmth. Available in store at New Balance and online. $89.99

3. Restore by Gaiam Muscle Therapy Foam Roller. Loosens tight, knotted muscles, and improve your favourite runners flexibility with Gaiam’s durable high density foam deep massage 36″ high-density Foam Roller. Available online. $49.99

4. Tiux Graduated Compression Socks. Train harder and keep your favourite runners legs energized with Tiux Performance Compression Socks. Engineered to help runners improve performance, reduce muscle fatigue and recover faster. Available online. $35.00

5. Massage. What runner doesn’t love a post long run massage. Massage therapy treatment has a therapeutic effect on the body and optimizes health and well being by acting on the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. Available for purchase online, check out my friends at The Health Loft. $59 for 30 min – $144 for 90 minutes.

6. Race Registration. Race fees can add up, why not support your runner in their habit for healthy, active living by picking up the tab on one or two races. Canada Running Series even offer a multi event pack where you will save by registering for more than one race and gift cards! Available online. $50-$115 per race.

Wild About It: Tiux Compression Socks

June 24, 2015June 25, 20151 Comment

With a tight calf and first triathlon of the season the next day, Saturday’s run was the perfect opportunity for me to give my new Tiux performance compression socks to test run – literally.

Tiux are a new start-up that design and sell athletic compression socks exclusively online. They cut out all the middle processes which can jack up the prices, thus giving the end user a cheaper bottom line, only $35 per pair.

Compression socks are known for stabilizing muscles and joints, as well as increasing blood (oxygen) flow which helps improve performance and recovery. Tiux highlight some of the benefits here.

The fit was great and my calves felt awesome! Tiux use a graduated compression technology which has a higher compression at the ankle and gradually decreases towards the calf. I typically wear compression calf sleeves so was worried about the feet and not having the benefit of my own socks, but the foot of these socks was very comfy and no blisters were had (yeah!). The only real concern is the lack of style and colour. Tiux only offer three colour combinations, with pink (the ones I have) as the most popular option. This Tiux promote as a cost saving perk, sharing that with limited inventory they reduce costs by never overstocking inventory and instead, focus on quality and providing the best value for their customers.

What I also love is their social good. Tiux have partnered with MAG (Mines Advisory Group) and will donate 1% of their revenue to help save lives and protect communities from landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other weapons remaining after conflict.

For more information on Tiux and to order your pair, check out there website at http://tiux.refr.cc/MLKRKP3

SPECIAL for my readers: receive 10% off and FREE shipping in Canada and the US! Offer expires July 31st.