Healthy Holiday Give-Away!
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: Gift Basket of Health
WIN this beautiful Holiday Gift Basket of Healthy Goodies which include: Author Signed Copies of "The New Woman's Herbal & "Nutritional Guide", "The Secret of Staying Young" Topricin Homeopathic Pain Creams, Totally Calcium Supplements AND a Stainless Half Twist Polar Bottle of your choice! 

Enter by emailing drmiczak@yahoo.com

with "Healthy Holiday Give-Away" in the Subject Line.  Entry Dealine is MIDNIGHT December 10th 2010.  This Give-Away open to U.S. residents only.  Wicker Hamper not included.

 

Cool Weather Workouts
Now Playing: Cool X-Training

Fall is a fantastic time for a brisk walk or ride out in the cooler temps. Be sure to layer your clothing so that as the day, (and you), warm up, you can adapt to the changes. One of my favorite picks for jogging or cycling is this full zippered 100% cotton hoodie.

 

Go-Lite Women's Thermal Zip Cycling Jersey   Good for 50+ Degrees

Usually for a short ride or run, my favorite zippered cotton hoodie as shown above would be fine.  However when I need more "technical support", my Go-Lite Thermal Zip Cycling Jersey is the way to go.

Warm alone or layered up, the GoLite Vermillion Thermal Zip Top for Women is the ideal active cool weather piece. Built with moisture wicking Minerale™ fabric, the Vermillion features a 1/4 length front zip, rear stash pocket and a super plush, soft fleece interior.   The pink is a high visibility factor when riding, not just a fashion statement.

 

 

 

 

 Make a Fresh Start this Fall!

Give your cool weather cycling clothes a fresh start for the fall!  You old, coolweather cycling kit may just need a thorough cleaning to be roadworthy again.

TIP:  Wash your cycling tops and bottoms in Sport Wash to restore them to their former glory.  Sport Wash leaves no scent or soapy residue and is perfect for removing odors from polyesther, synthetics and natural fabric blends.

 

Transitional Pieces - Start at the Bottom

As the weather gets cooler, you can extend your jopgging / cycling season by investing in the right clothing.  If you insist on wearing your Lycra shorts into the season, you can purchase leg warmers or wear thin tights underneath.  Keep in mind that multiple layers on the bottom can be uncomfortable and chaft when walking or pedaling.  It is best to invest in just the right amount of bottom coverage for the season.

Terry Scooter Capris:  Best for 65+ Degrees

These are perhaps my favorite because they come with a removable Terry Flex Chamois liner which is made of a cooler sheer mesh material.  They are loose around the legs and allow you to store necessities in the pouch pockets.  Keep in mind that the "baggy" design is not the most efficient in the wind but these look great on and off the bike.  Ditch the removable chamois and they are your new walking capris.  Perfect for a quick or long commute when you don't want to look as if you arrived by bicycle!  

Terry Precision Cycling

 

Terry Bella Knicker - Best for 55+ Degrees

These  Bella Knickers come down pretty far to cover most of your calves.  They are not lined but come with a built in chamois which is very light and fexible.  These are the traditional Lycra style cycling pants but with up to date accents such as the reflective bars on the bottom.  The wider waistband is very comfortable and stays put while riding.  These are very fited to cut through the wind while offering just the right amount of coverage for slightly cooler weather.

 

 

Pearl Izumi Women's ELITE Thermal Cycling Tight - 45+ Degrees

These are the ultimate weather-beaters!  Designed for comfort and full coverage, these tights will take you pretty far into the season until it snows!  These have great moisture transfer and the lining is VERY soft.  A wide waistband and 8 panel construction means these tights move with you on the bike.

The W's ELITE Thermal Cycling Tight offers great cold weather protection with a soft and comfortable brushed interior combined with the comfort of Pearl Izumi's Women's ELITE 3D Chamois®

Pearl Izumi

Get in on the X-Training BLOG's Polar Bottle - Eat Clean Diet Cookbook Give-Away!  Hurry!!!   Deadline for entry is MIDNIGHT October 24th, 2010!

Topricin & Totally Calcium Revews
Now Playing: Pain Relief for X-Trainers

Photo: Topricin products, Pain Relief Cream in Pump Bottle & Travel Sizes, Glucosamine Supplement & Totally Calcium Brand absorbable calcium supplements. 

 

As the days grow cooler you may begin to notice aches and pains previously masked by the warm summer sun.  One of the best things to do during the fall x-training season is to layer your clothing.  Early morning walks or cycling start off cool and may add to muscle discomfort later on.

Topricin Anti-Infammatory & Healing Cream

Another thing that can help is to use a good pain relief lotion before starting your workout.  The physical rubbing helps to improve blood flow to the muscles and an Arnica based lotion will help ward off aches later on.  I've used Topricin throughout the summer and can say that I wouldn't leave home without it now.  Not only do my joints function better on the road but there is no soreness afterward.  I am able to push myself a little more each time which is great especially when you don't have to pay for it later!

I have really appreciated the super pump bottle Topricin for quick and easy one handed applications.  Likewise the travel size body and foot creams are great for trips, tours and should be included in the Adventure Medical Kit featured here last week.

 

Topricin's Healthy Joint Function Glucosamine

I demand a lot of my body so I've been doing Glucosamine supplementation for quite some time.  I have traditionally used liquid supplements because really they are the most absorbable.  Still they had to be measured, poured and mixed each morning.  They also have to be refrigerated.  I began using Topricin Healthy Joint Function as a complement to the Topricin Cream applications over the season and have to say that I don't miss the liquid glucosamine at all.

The synergistic combination of the topically applied cream and this dietary supplement has helped my joints immensely allowing more freedom of movement and less stiffness.  I would like to add that implementing an alkaline diet is also helpful in dealing with inflammation which is often the source of arthritis and muscle pain.  Topricin is available at many drugstores and retailers such as Wegman's & Whole Foods.  See the Polar Bottle - Eat Clean Diet Cookbook Give-Away post to enter and learn how important this is.

 

 Totally Calcium Absorbable Calcium

Totally Calcium is formulated to be 100% soluble and 100% absorbable.  This is really a break through calcium supplement. One of the problems with most calcium carbonate, citrate and lactate products is that they are not readily broken down.  These cheaper forms may end up in soft tissue, showing up as kidney stones and even worse, calcification build up in the arteries of the heart. 

Totally Calcium is completely tasteless and can be added to either hot or cold beverages, soups or dishes.  120 mgs of Calcium in each packet means you'll be able to use all of the elemental calcium which is best taken in small doses.  What I especially like is the little travel pack included with the one month supply.  If you are traveling or taking a bike tour, you can take a few packets along and add them to your water bottle.  Your muscles will certainly thank you for it after a long day on the road!

TIP:  Calcium is best taken at night before bed.  This means more of the calcium will be absorbed into the bones because the muscles are not competing for it for active lactic acid displacement.  You'll also sleep SO much better!

Adventure Medical Kits
Now Playing: SOL-Stay Alive Longer

S.O.L. 3 Survival, Medical, & Gear Aid

Distributed by Tender Corporation, the S.O.L. 3  Adventure Medical Kit shown here is actually three kits in one. Survival-Medical-Gear Repair. This kit goes well beyond traditional bandages and first-aid cream!

 

Survival: 

We were especially impressed with the inclusion of Tinder-Quik which is waterproof and burns for 2-3 minutes.  If you are stranded and need to keep warm with a wood fire, you'll be very happy to have this along.   Also included is a whistle which can be heard for over a mile, a signal mirror, a 20MM magnetic compass and a 3 ft. sheet of aluminum foil for cooking or to reflect heat from the fire you just started with the Tinder-Quick.

 

Medical:

The medical tools included in the SOL 3 Adventure Medical Kit are impressive and include moleskin dressings, assorted sizes/shapes of bandages, gauze, tape, forceps, gloves and more.  Especially useful, you'll find they have even included a mini- medicine chest replete with Ibuprophen, Antihistamine, topical applications of triple antibiotic ointment, tincture of benzoin and providone iodine which can also be used for emergency water purification.  They have even included their own After Bite Sting and Itch Wipes as well as After Cuts & Scrapes Anesthetic/Antiseptic Wipes in with the medical supplies.  We also tested their Natrapel Insect Repellant Wipes and found them to be long lasting and highly effective.  Below is a photo of it and travel sizes of the After-Bite Outdoor Combo.

 

Gear Repair:

This is what really sets the SOL 3 Adventure Medical Kit apart from the crowd.  They have thought to include an assortment of UL-rated cable ties that can be used to quickly repair broken gear, clothing or even improvise temporary shelter.  Also included is 40 inches of nylon cord which is tested to hold over 150 lbs, EMT shears which as you know will cut through anything and a set of nickel plated safety pins.

All of these items fit neatly in this waterproof case with a detachable inner pouch.  Each side is clearly marked "Medical Supplies" or "Survival Tools & Gear Repair" and the see through windows let you get a quick visual on the contents.  You can even sign up for Easy Refills and Registration with a bonus discount code at Adventure Medical Kits 

 

This Ultralight Watertight .3 Adventure Medical Kit is what I keep on my touring bicycle at all times.  This mighty-mini contains just the medical emergency essentials you'll need for the road.  These supplies will also work for 1 person out for 1-2 days.   Very well thought out and packed.  

CatEye Strada & Kestrel 4500 BT Reviews
Now Playing: Computers for Commuters

• Current Speed
• Cadence
• Elapsed Time
• Distance #1
• Distance #2
• Average Speed
• Maximum Speed
• Total Distance-Odometer
• Clock

Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker with Bluetooth

If you are planning any time out on the road, you'll want to have one of these along with you.  The Kestrel 4500 by Nielsen Kellerman.  This unit tracks temperature, wind speed, dew point, humidity and barometric pressure plus MUCH more.  However, I think the greatest help to X-Trainers is the Heat Index reading.  This can help to prevent overheating or even hypothermia, (frost bite) when such conditions are present.

Even more important is knowing the present weather conditions, where you are as opposed to relying on a report focused on another area.  I've had storms rise up quickly, not even mentioned in the forecast.  With wind speed, a digital compass,(so it can calculate headwinds and crosswinds) and the barometric readings on the Pocket Weather Tracker,  I've been able to avoid getting caught in many a unpredicted downpour.

 

Kestrel 4500 on a Mini Tripod Transferring Data

The Wireless Bluetooth feature allows uploading of data from the unit to my laptop allowing me to track trends in the weather over a period of time.  This can give you accurate readings that will help predict future trends for the season.  Storing this information is easy and the wireless tranfer a snap.

Both the CatEye Strada and the Kestrel 4500 fit neatly in the front pouch on my Terry road bike below.  Compact, easy to use, there is no reason not to have these essential computers with you as you venture out for your workout or commute!