What moves you? OPEDIX

Ski season is in full swing here in Colorado. 

We got an early dump before Thanksgiving that created a lot of excitement and early skiing. Not all

the resorts were open so it was a matter of skinning your way up to the top in order to make turns.A couple winters ago I got out on the mountain in early December and with early season conditions twisted my knee, requiring a little physical therapy with a diagnosis of a small tear on my ACL. There isn't much to do for a small ACL tear except some TLC and constant building the knees strength through exercise.

I was introduced to the OPEDIX KNEE-Tec 3/4 length tights early this winter. These tights where developed to enhance muscle and joint function, increase muscle flexibility and joint range of motion. I've worn them while helping out on the course at the World Cup in Aspen, skinning adventures up Tiehack and Sunlight Mountains in November and early December, and an 8+ mile round trip hike up Red Mountain in Glenwood Springs with 1800' of elevation gain. The tights did the job as my knee and legs felt better, and didn't fatigue as they normally would. Behind the scene the tights were doing more good then I even realized for my body. Research by Michael J Decker, Ph. D., a biomechanical consultant from the University of Denver, has put focus on kinetic health. Your body is compromised of many joints that are connected structurally and functionally in a kinetic chain. When the body doesn't move optimally, athletic performance is reduced and fatigue is increased, causing the progressive destruction of your joints. 

I have one pair of these bad girl tights and they are my "go to" for just about everything that entails adventure and exercise. When I put them on it's like giving my legs a physical therapy session and some muscle love based on the compression. They are a prized piece of gear! 

If you want to learn more about OPEDIX Technology visit their website and take the quiz "How is your Kinetic Health?" and get your score.

These Chaco’s were Made for Hiking

It’s golden as far as the eyes can see and the forest smells of autumn. Cathedral Lake Trail is calling to me and saying, “explore me.” I haven’t hiked this trail before and a good friend of mine gets us to the trailhead around 9A. It’s a 5.6-mile round-trip hike starting at 9,880’ elevation and ends at 11,866’.  I’m ready and wearing my hiking shoes – my new Layna Waterproof Chaco’s.

These shoes were extremely comfortable. They have this foot bed called LUVSEAT that truly loves your foot (they sure loved mine.) Snug, soft and lightweight, the Layna is starting to win me over. I had worn the shoes two times prior to break them in just running around town and a short hike up Grizzly Creek. I didn’t want to get any blisters or hot spots during a hike to Cathedral Lake.  I had my backpack filled with snacks, water, an extra layer of clothes……and we were off to the trailhead.

The hike starts with a pretty nice gradual climb following Pine Creek. It’s beautiful and you can hear the leaves crunching underfoot. My feet are enjoying the backcountry performance of my new shoes by teeter tottering over the rocks. The Layna has a water-resistant suede construction with a waterproof bootie to boot. Talk about feeling like you are walking on clouds.

The hike takes the average person approximately 4 hours to complete and we were maybe 45 minutes into the hike when I gave in to what my body was telling me. I was dealing with some back issues that started to slow me down. So I listened to what my body was telling me and turned around to head back to the car. I was quite disappointed that my back was giving me the business, but my feet were happy as could be.

I can’t wait to hike it again next summer.

What Fuels You?

                                                  What Fuels You?

 Honey Stinger Organic Energy Food Was the Ticket!

I’m always questioning myself as to what energy food and water to bring during one of my adventures. How long will I be gone? How much energy output would I be doing? What do I need to supplement so I don’t bonk? 

This adventure was a 42.8-mile road bike ride that took 2 ½ hours in 90+ degree weather. According to Strava my energy output was 1,054 kJ and I burned 1,175 calories.  In preparing for the ride I filled up my two water bottles knowing I could stop to refill if needed, as I wasn’t venturing too far from civilization. I put some energy blocks, energy bar, and was excited to try a new Honey Stinger Organic Waffle and Organic Energy Gel. 

The ride started from Glenwood Springs to Carbondale on the Rio Grande Trail. Then continuing onto Hwy 133 via the bike path towards McClure Pass. This route is a great spin ride with minimal elevation gain. I stopped at the Crystal River KOA to dunk my head in the river for a little cooling off and to re-energize with some food. 

At this point in the ride it was over 90 degrees outside and I was just about half way. I grabbed the gingersnap waffle, which was light, easy to chew, and had great flavor. One of the benefits of honey to eat during any kind of endurance adventure is the carbohydrate for fueling the muscles and delays fatigue.  I’m trying to get rid of refined sugar in my diet so having a natural and organic alternative was ideal. There is only 160 calories in a waffle so I knew I needed more. So I grabbed the chocolate energy gel to add another 100 calories with electrolytes to boot! Nummy! (It didn’t have a pasty textures as others I have tried. Bonus!)

Off I went feeling a well-needed boost to finish the ride, as I popped a few energy blocks to maintain my output through the remaining 20+ miles I had to go. There is just something about riding a bike that feed my sole. I enjoyed the views of the valley floor, the company of fellow bikers and the tranquility of nature.  (Ok, and the need for speed.)

Sperry Water Shoes

Finding the right gear for what we love to do.

A lady can never have enough shoes. Right? Well, I was in the market for a new pair of water shoes. With the dry Colorado climate, I get those darn heal cracks walking on my hardwood floors and wearing my sandals during the summer. So I was looking for something new that had the performance of my 6 pairs of Chaco’s so I can go from dry land to wet water without having to change shoes. In my opinion shoes are likes bikes, you are always looking for or planning for the next one you want. It’s the plus 1 rule.

I love the outdoors and active lifestyle a lot of us lead here in the mountains. In my water shoe hunt I wanted something that offered versatility. A shoe that you can hike, bike, raft, paddle board, run an errand, or even go out on the town in – something that works for what we can encounter in any given day.

I start with a Google search of “water shoes.” 170 million results. Ugh! Thick sole, drainage and ventilation, toe separation, straps, insulated, mesh, leather, canvas, toe guard…really now. So I try to narrow my search knowing I’m looking for the versatility of wet to dry land. It’s enough to make your head spin. I find one that looks cool, durable, lightweight, and comfortable. It’s the Sperry Top Sider H20 Escape Bungee is an all-around water shoe that can be used for almost every warm weather activity.

Now, I have to put them to the test. I decide to wear them on a raft trip on the Roaring Fork River between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. The shoe’s performance from dry land to the wet river was practically unnoticeable based on the shoe’s snug fit.  Its tread had excellent traction on all surfaces; while walking on the river floor, over rocks, on the wet raft floor and while dry at the put ins and take outs. My feet didn’t slip or have the sloshy feeling while wearing them in any of these situations. It’s a shoe to wear doing practically anything. The shoe is so lightweight and comfortable you tend to forget they are even on your feet. Exactly what I was looking for – I picked the right one!