US Olympic Swimmers Wearing Speedo LZR Racer

The US Olympic Swim team is wearing Speedo LZR Racer suits using the FASTSKIN3 Racing System, a combination of a suit, cap and goggles. The suit was originally under some controversy, but Speedo was able to get approval for its LZR Racer Elite line. Here’s a closer look at the suits that are giving US Olympic swimmers advantages in the water this week. Continue reading US Olympic Swimmers Wearing Speedo LZR Racer

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts Offer Women-Specific Compression

When it comes to compression, it’s certainly not one-size-fits all. And the sizing also applies to men’s and women’s garments. Aspaeris makes women’s-specific compression wear, including the Pivot Shorts. The Pivot Short is actually two pairs of shorts bound together to provide the features women need to improve performance, speed recovery and prevent injuries. Continue reading Aspaeris Pivot Shorts Offer Women-Specific Compression

TrainingPeaks Lets Athletes Edit Data on the Web

Last week after a ride we put the bikes on the car and packed up. Just as we got rolling, we heard the Garmin Edge cycle computer beep from the trunk. It picked up movement, and was about to track our drive home. Because this stuff happens, TrainingPeaks just started offering the ability to edit data on the web interface. This way you can delete such errors that get uploaded from a tracking device, and concentrate on performance. Continue reading TrainingPeaks Lets Athletes Edit Data on the Web

TYR Debuts Custom Goggle Program

When you’re competing in a triathlon you can customize just about every aspect of your uniform. But then you strap on a pair of standard goggles that everybody else is also wearing in the swim component. TYR just announced a custom goggle program that lets swimmers create their own goggles. Continue reading TYR Debuts Custom Goggle Program

Sunday Q&A: Lee Gardner Tells if First Don’t Succeed TriSmarter

Trying your best is way competition is really about, but as Lee Gardner, president and head coach of Trismarter explains trying is just part of going the distance in a triathlon. Lee tells us why having the right bike is important, but also that making sure the bike fits is very important as well. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: Lee Gardner Tells if First Don’t Succeed TriSmarter

Garmin Swim Watch Makes a Splash

Most heart rate monitors are waterproof, and therefore you can track your heart rate while doing laps, but it’s difficult to track what you do in the pool. The new Swim training watch from Garmin is designed specifically for swimmers, and provides feedback on laps. The Garmin Swim training watch was announced ahead of the U.S. Masters Swimming Championships in Omaha, Nebraska taking place July 5-8. Continue reading Garmin Swim Watch Makes a Splash

Rudy Project Offers 2-For-1 Deal

Rudy Project is offering a two-for-one promotion on its sunglasses, RX lenses, goggles and helmets. Purchase one of Rudy Project’s three premium helmets, or a pair of sunglasses – there’s over 20 models to choose from – and get a second item free. On average, you’ll save about $180 on the deal, though to do that you’ll spend that much. You’ll also have to pay $24.95 for shipping and insurance. Continue reading Rudy Project Offers 2-For-1 Deal

Yurbuds Intros New Inspire Talk Earbud

Yurbuds designs headphones worthy of someone training for a marathon or triathlon. The Inspire Talk headphones are compatible with most smartphones, and have a one-button “dry-mic” sweat and water resistant microphone and control.

The new model comes in shiny black, a departure from the red models in previous Ironman Series earbud headphones from Yurbud. The one-button “dry-mic” control is sweat and water-resistant. It operates as a microphone to handle phone calls, even while on a run. With one button, runners can answer and end calls, start and stop music, adjust the music track and transmit a clear audio signal.

While the Inspire Talk is aimed at a broad number of smartphones, it has the ability to launch Apple’s Siri voice control query on the iPhone 4S.

Yurbuds Official Website

Weekend Reading List (5.26.2012: Burn It, Surf the Pin-ups, Idaho Trails, Lance is the Ironman, Slinky Hits the Treadmill

Burn More?

From Runner’s World: Running v. Walking: How Many Calories Will You Burn?
Two weeks ago, I began planning an update to a Walking v. Running calorie-burn article that I had written for Runner’s World magazine in 2005. When that article subsequently appeared on the RunnersWorld.com website, it attracted a lot of interest and comments. Some of those comments displayed the widespread confusion and outright disbelief that’s common to this topic. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (5.26.2012: Burn It, Surf the Pin-ups, Idaho Trails, Lance is the Ironman, Slinky Hits the Treadmill

Made in America: GU Energy Gel

GU Energy Gel Product Lineup

Electronic shifting. Carbon fiber. Strava. None of these will help you perform better if you bonk during a ride or run – you might as well be wearing a boat anchor around your neck. Fueling your body during an extended period of exertion is more important than whatever new whiz-bang gadget you just purchased. Just like gasoline and coolant to an automobile, if your body runs out of fuel or water, you are done.

GU Energy Labs of Berkeley, California knows sports nutrition all to well and has been involved in the industry since 1991. Their first product was a single serving gel that was fairly revolutionary at the time. While racing for mountain bike team in western Pennsylvania around that time, I remember receiving packets of GU gel to use since they were a team sponsor. The other choices at the time were chalky tasting energy bars and Fig Newtons. The GU gels were a welcome addition to the nutrition arsenal. These single-serving packets traveled well in a cycling jersey, even during events in the pouring rain. When needed, they were easy to open, consume and digest. They quickly provided the necessary fuel needed to be competitive, and as a bonus they actually tasted good. Continue reading Made in America: GU Energy Gel

Got Chocolate Milk? An Alternative to Sports Drinks

Need to replenish what was lost after a workout? Try a glass of chocolate milk. While often thought of as a kid’s drink, low-fat chocolate milk has the nutritional benefits to help you recover after a marathon run, according to a story in The Tennessean, which reports that the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & Half-Marathon in Nashville will be offering low-fat chocolate milk for the first time in its 13-year history, alongside water, sports drinks, fruit, and energy bars.

Many nutritionists and fitness mags are advocating chocolate milk for post-workout recovery, and you’ll find plenty of chocolate-flavored protein shakes. “Chocolate milk after a workout or after a run has got protein in it for replenishing muscles and more carbohydrates in the lactose,” said Jimmy Burkhard, a licensed nutritionist interviewed in the story.

Another expert quoted, Tracy Noerper, recommends drinking eight ounces of chocolate milk within two hours after a training run or after completing a marathon or half-marathon. She says chocolate milk has the right mixture of protein to carbohydrates.

Of course, the thought of drinking several glasses of something thick like milk might turn off a lot of people, but who doesn’t enjoy chocolate?

The Tennessean: Chocolate Milk Does Marathon Runners Good

Endomondo Adds Interval Training by User Request

It’s always nice to see a company responding to customer feedback. Endomondo is one such company. It asked users what features they’d like to see in the iPhone app. Users responded with requests for interval training, which Endomondo granted in its newly updated version. Continue reading Endomondo Adds Interval Training by User Request

Fitness Journal: Taking on the Tri

Lee Gardner,  president and head coach of Trismarter talks triathlon!

For the past several years, the sport of triathlon has become one of, if not the fastest growing sport in the United States. For those of you who haven’t already been bitten by the triathlon bug, triathlon consists of three individual disciplines: swimming, biking, and running; performed consecutively from start to finish.  Since its inception by members of the San Diego Track Club in 1974, modern triathlon has evolved into standard distances. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Taking on the Tri