Women's Running

Fruitful

Have I mentioned that the heat is on here in Colorado? We’ve been blessed with so many beautiful days hovering above 90 degrees that I feel as if I’m on a tropical vacation – minus the ocean and the humidity, that is! Knowing that this weekend will be equally warm, I’ve prepared a big bowl of one of my favorite summertime treats – fresh fruit salad. Granted, it doesn’t take a culinary genius to make a good fruit salad, but one key ingredient will quickly transport your produce from decent to delectable. The secret is fresh mint. Just chop it up and toss it in with whatever fruits you favor (I combine watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple and an assortment of berries), top with a squeeze of lemon juice, and you’ll be good to go. The mint enhances the nuances of each fruit, taking their fresh juicy flavor to a new level of tastiness.

Enjoy!

- Holly Bennett

Dude Girl

I’m a sucker for new clothes, so when my running and fashion passions collide I feel lucky indeed. The best item in my t-shirt drawer at the moment is a new Chickatee from Truckee, California based apparel company Dude Girl. I was turned on to Dude Girl by a friend visiting from out of town – she spent an afternoon shopping in Boulder and returned home with a bag full of sport-specific versions of the  Chickatee design (“RUNR”, “BIKE” and “TRI”). I promptly made my way to the local Title Nine store the next day to purchase my own Dude Girl top. The tees are super soft, stylishly cut and come in bold colors. Dude Girl also makes a sleeveless run singlet with the Chickatee RUNR design – a perfect accompaniment for your time on the roads and trails.

- Holly Bennett                                                                       

Escape the Burn

The summer heat is on across the country, and gals like us who love to train and play outdoors can never have enough strong sunscreen. SCAPE Athlete Sunblock is gaining high praise for its incredible endurance against sweat and water. With its SPF factor of 50 to block harmful UVA/UVB rays, SCAPE certainly offers all day protection. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores.

SCAPE was developed by PhD wielding biochemist, surfer, snowboarder and triathlete Dr. Nic Martens. It’s endorsed by two-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander, an athlete with a particularly keen interest in sun protection, having previously dealt with melanoma skin cancer. If SCAPE is durable enough for these always-outdoors athletes, it’s going to become a must-have item in my gear bag as well.

- Holly Bennett

Lend a Hand

Sometimes the best way to be involved in a race is to volunteer. After all, if you’ve done any amount of racing yourself, you’ve most certainly experienced the kindness of an individual generously donating their time to ensure that you have a safe and pleasurable experience. Next time the race itself doesn’t suit your skills or your training schedule, consider giving a few hours to lend a hand. Trust me, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a race director who won’t appreciate the extra help!

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to volunteer for the inaugural Centurion Cycling event in Lyons, CO. The race involved three distances of organized road rides, accommodating various ability levels. I had the pleasure of working with both the registration team and the food & beverage crew, and I fully enjoyed being a part of these groups of relative strangers who came together for various reasons to roll up their shirtsleeves. It was particularly sweet to hear all the comments of awe and admiration directed from the volunteers toward the riders who tackled the various courses. I spend a good deal of my time with people who are fairly athletic and to whom training and racing is an integral part of their lives. To gain this fresh perspective – and to hear several volunteers become inspired to ride the next year – was wonderful. To help out, knowing that the next event I participate in as a racer will be supported by an army of similar volunteers, felt overwhelmingly like the right thing to do.

- Holly Bennett

 

Come Run with Us

 

Need a motivational goal to keep your summer training on the right track? It’s ten weeks and counting until the first in a series of three 2010 Women’s Half Marathon races, produced by our very own Women’s Running Magazine.

This year, the Women’s Half Marathon series expands to three cities:

Nashville, TN - September 25^th

Scottsdale/Tempe, AZ - November 7^th

St. Petersburg, FL - November 21^st

If the world-class venues are not enough to entice your entry into one of these amazing events, perhaps the swag will sway you. Every participant will receive a fashionable, reusable tote-style goodie bag filled with special product samples. Each finisher will receive a one-of-a-kind medal with a removable center charm – a unique reminder of your accomplishment. It doesn’t get much more fun than running a women’s-focused event – and it doesn’t get much cooler than running for jewelry!

- Holly Bennett

 

Meet Jack Black

Several weeks ago, at the Boulder Sprint Triathlon expo, I stumbled upon skincare line Jack Black. Normally targeted to male consumers, the brand’s new Performance Remedy line appeals to women and men alike. I’ve been waiting to tell you about their Performance Remedy products, as I wanted a chance to test the various samples that I brought home. Now that I’ve tried each product a few times, I’m happy to report that I’m a freshly influenced fan.

I tried the Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body in place of my shower gel (I was a bit nervous to swap it for my regular shampoo). The scent – a combination of rosemary, eucalyptus and juniper berry – gave me a refreshing kick-start akin to my morning coffee. Another sample which I’ve completely used up is the Dragon Ice Relief & Recovery Balm. With a variety of organic ingredients, such as muscle-soothing arnica, the balm certainly helped my training-induced aches & pains.

My favorite product from the Performance lineup is the Sun Guard. Most sunblocks that provide a substantial SPF (in this case 45) feel thick and greasy – enough to deter me from using them as often as I should. But Jack Black’s Sun Guard truly lives up to its oil-free claim, absorbing quickly into my skin with barely a trace. Sun Guard is water and sweat resistant, so it’s perfect for use during even the most intense activity.

Jack Black products are not inexpensive – but as is usually the case, you get what you pay for.

- Holly Bennett

Zola-licious!

Food and drink samples are everywhere at event expos these days, and I’m certainly not shy when it comes to giving them a try. Recently I tasted a few variations of Zola Acai Juice, and I give them a thumbs up in the delicious category. Zola’s juices are undeniably good for you – each bottle is packed with the antioxidant benefits of the Brazilian superfruit acai berry. The original Zola Acai Juice is tasty enough, but now it’s also available with either added pineapple or blueberry, which happen to be two of my all-time favorite fruits. In addition to straight juice, Zola offers a selection of Superfruit Smoothies, if something a bit thicker is more to your liking.

- Holly Bennett

 

Splish Splash!

I can’t exactly walk on water, but I’m getting awfully good at running through it. You see, I’m babying a foot injury which prevents me from logging any land miles whatsoever. Smack in the middle of training for Ironman Canada   (which takes place on August 29^th), some combination of increased mileage, travel-induced stress, poor recovery and wearing my gorgeous new heels out on the town did a number on my foot and it’s temporarily out of commission. I can stand and walk safely, but the impact of running would take this injury past the point of no return. I’ve been ordered to run nothing but wet laps for the next three weeks.

Have any of you tried pool running? Aside from the envy I can’t help but feel toward the happy, healthy runners I see heading for my favorite trails, I’m actually not that upset about my predicament. Sure, pool running can be a bit mind-numbing – especially when one’s training calls for long sessions such as my Ironman marathon prep. But according to the testimonials many of my friends have shared, it can also be a surprisingly adequate substitute for “real” running. Numerous are the stories of injured runners who have rehabilitated in the pool, right up until race day, and managed to turn in strong performances. Some athletes advise swapping a regular run for a pool session once a week when training mileage increases. Once my foot is properly healed, I may well follow that advice in an attempt to stave off future injuries – at least until I make it through the demands of this major race.

I’ve actually already noticed a few side benefits to my time in the pool. My core muscles are embarrassingly weak – but while water running I notice them working to help keep my body upright. Additionally, since my arms are moving back and forth against the resistance of the water, they seem to be a slight bit more toned. If I emerge from this three week period in the pool with improved all over fitness, I might consider pool running on purpose for the foreseeable future!

I’m curious to hear about any of your experiences with water running – and your subsequent transition back to dry land training. If you’ve never tried striding through the water, give it a go sometime. I’ve been using a foam belt designed specifically for this purpose, which helps maintain a vertical body position. Pool running is not as easy as it looks – and in fact, it can be as challenging as the effort you’re willing to exert.

- Holly Bennett

 

Party with a Purpose

Last Thursday I was one of hundreds of lucky guests at a rockin’ happy hour at the Boulder Chop House, hosted by The Women’s Wilderness Institute. TWWI’s mission is an inspirational one, to strengthen “the courage, confidence, and leadership qualities of girls and women, through the support and challenge of wilderness- and community-based experiences.” To this end, TWWI offers outdoor adventures for women and girls throughout the Rocky Mountains and southwest.

Like a super-sized girls’ night out, the Chop House bar overflowed into the street with women eager to support this incredible organization. Even several men joined in the fun, helping us gals party with a purpose.

Do you recognize the guest bartender? That’s Nicole DeBoom, founder of women’s apparel company Skirt Sports, sporting her spunky pink Skirt gear and serving up beer and Skirtinis with a smile. Also in attendance to support TWWI was jewelry company Stella & Dot, showcasing their beautifully crafted accessories.

The energy generated by a group of motivated, fun-loving women is always a force to be reckoned with. Obviously TWWI boasts a passionate following of folks enthusiastic about empowering others through unique and exciting outdoor-oriented experiences. Learn more about their work – and perhaps sign up for one of their many courses – here.

- Holly Bennett

Run, Run Black Sheep

If you can’t find a running club that fits your schedule or style, or if you’ve outgrown your current coach and want to take your fitness challenge to a fresh new level, why not start your own group?

My friend Nilda and several of her running companions did exactly that – founding New York City-based Black Sheep Runners. After training for a few years with a prior coach who helped them attain their goal of finishing a marathon, Nilda and her pals felt ready to step up the pace with a program tailored to their specific needs. They formed a committee, interviewed a handful of talented coaches and hired one who offered the exact type of structure, training programs and commitment they desired. Within six months of the initial inspiration, Black Sheep Runners became a full-fledged running club registered with New York Road Runners. The club boasts non-profit status, and its 27 members benefit from twice-weekly coached workouts, an interactive website and a true feeling of ownership and accomplishment. The club’s logo is awfully cute to boot, and graces the member’s singlets as well as motivational signs used while cheering each other at a variety of local and national races. Go Black Sheep!

- Holly Bennett