This week, we talk about how to prepare for running in humidity. Priscah Jeptoo and Geoffrey Mutai will be defending their wins at the New York City Marathon this year. The Race Director for Leadville Trail 100 makes an official statement about Rob Krar’s win. Jenny Simpson wins in Stockholm. Mark got some new shoes, and our week in training.
Tips for running in humidity:
Acclimate if possible. You can do this by sitting in a sauna prior to runs to heat up your body. This will help your body get used to running at a higher core temperature. Running in extra layers of clothing will help acclimate you to the heat but not necessarily humidity.
Hydrate. If you become hydrated you’re ability to sweat and cool your body decreases.
Lower your core temperature before, during race. Eat a cool breakfast on race morning to help keep core body temperature down. Use ice on your body.
Start slower and adjust your goals. Decrease your intensity.
Let me start off by saying that I’ve had a difficult relationship with fitness belts-hydration or otherwise. I’ve tried different ones by different brands and even though some of them felt good while walking around and at the beginning of my run, it always ended the same way-with me discarding them after just a short period of time or ending my run early because they were uncomfortable. My biggest problem with them is that they bounce or they ride up my waist, or both! I’ve tried them with and without the hydration bottles and have had this happen every time. There has been one exception though-the FlipBelt.
I’ve had a chance to try out the FlipBelt and am glad I had that opportunity. The FlipBelt is a “singular tubular waistband”. It’s made of a moisture-wicking, spandex-lycra blend so it will help wick away the sweat from your body. It slides right on and you can either slide if over your head or step into it. Then slide it onto your waist/hips. Once on your hips, it sits nice and snug but doesn’t feel too tight. It’s a single tube with a few horizontal slits in it so after you step into it you put what you need into the belt through the slits (such as gel, phone, money, keys, inhaler) and then FLIP the belt. Now the slits are up against your body which keeps your items inside secure.
I’ve tried it on several runs ranging from two to five miles and have not had it bounce at all despite what items I put in the belt itself. With the slit openings against your body it can be a little tricky to access that energy gel, chew, or whatever fuel you have with you while you are running but it is easy enough that you don’t have to slow down or stop. The items are held in place well while running and therefore you don’t have to worry about losing items while reaching for them while running as I have seen happen with other belts-the gels just slide right off.
Iphone 5 and Gu in the FlipBelt
The FlipBelt doesn’t feel bulky and the best thing in my opinion is that it doesn’t bounce! It also doesn’t have a clasp or buckle that could cause irritation or chaffing. It’s machine washable and machine dryable which is great since it would need to be washed often whether it’s used for running or other activities. However it isn’t waterproof so don’t take it swimming.
It does come in different sizes ranging from XS to XL and there is a sizing chart on their website to guide you when ordering. It’s also available in a variety of colors-black, pink, orange, blue, yellow, purple, and more. I chose black of course-because it goes with everything.
If you’ve been looking for a belt to take with you on your run that holds your fuel, keys and other items secure and doesn’t bounce, you definitely need to try the FlipBelt.
This week, we talk about racing at altitude. Trail running in Yosemite. Notable stories from the European Championships in Zurich. We go over the rest of Hal Koerner’s ultrarunning commandments. Leadville 100 was this weekend and there were some improvements from last year’s race. Boston Marathon announces its field size for the 2015 race. And our week in training.
This week, we give our race recap of Ragnar Relay Colorado. We go over some of Hal Koerner’s ultrarunning commandments. Six Days in the Dome was a unique event in Alaska and included some drama. SF Marathon introduces its Legacy Program and it’s not what you think. Kenenisa Bekele will go for the course record at the Chicago Marathon this year. Running thirty miles or more a week may be too much for those who have had a heart attack. And there is a new kickstarter for a movie about running called What Moves You.
This week, we give our review of the FlipBelt. Hoka has 5 new shoes coming out in the spring. There was drama with the SF Marathon. A new course record was set at Angeles Crest 100. Elena’s long run with wildlife and our week in training.
