For all my woman cycling fans, Velo Bella has been redesigned and looks awesome!!  This is a NATIONWIDE women’s cycling team.  Anyone can join from a recreational rider to an elite level cyclocross.  Please take a second and go check it out.  They also have the most stylish jersey for women at there!!

Even if you’re a non-cyclist, you can get some laughs on their blog page.  These girls get excited about DIRT.

Here is the website.

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First, I want to point out that the Favorite Products page is up and running today. Run U Mother is the first product in a long line of LOVES that I’d to feature on that page. Not sure where I’m going with this but I’d really like to support all the awesome smaller companies out there that have a great product for all of you athletes, moms, dads and fitness fanatics.

Run U Mother is having a sale on hats, t-shirts and tanks.

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The winner of the medical ID bracelet is Jennifer S.! Please contact me at p mickelson (@) verizon (.) net!!  Thanks to all of you who entered the contest.  I was really impressed and moved by some of the comments!!

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In a recent article in Runner’s World called “Carbs on the Run” (Sept. 2008), Shea discusses the needs and usages of powergels in a runner’s diet. Avoid athlete fizzle by adding a gel to your workouts! Running buddy, Bobbi, recently struggled on our last long run because she ran out of fuel for the intended distance.

Standard pre-race protocol:
Instant oatmeal three hours prior to the start of the race followed by water and HEED leading up to the start of the race. Ten minutes prior to the start- tummy is rumbling. Food is required, but, eating a powerbar/bar or any food can lead to stomach distress during the event. By distress, I am referring to nausea, burping, stomach churning, etc…A gel will provide that much needed “substance” in a liquid form that SHOULD NOT cause additional stress. The energy from one gel can last approximately 45 minutes. Powerbar was one of the first to have a gel, and I used to SWEAR by Powerbar. Always took one at the start of a run, ride, race, even on days when I was cross training!

What exactly is a gel?

A gel is a liquid complex carbohydrate that is meant to provide energy for endurance events. The ingredient list should not contain FRUCTOSE, or anything that ends in -OSE.

Who should take gels and when?

You should use gels immediately before a workout, 45 minutes into a workout, right after a workout if you don’t have an appropriate complex carbohydrate/whey protein recovery drink. You can then continue taking gels every 40 minutes throughout your workout. I usually wait till my tummy is rumbling, but, I know experienced runners plan their gel intake by the mileage 7, 14 and 21 in a marathon.

I would even suggest to the gym goers to use gels in their weekly routines! Especially if you are heading out the door to the gym right before dinner or if you plan on starting a workout with an empty stomach. Gels can really provide a fantastic source of quality energy.

FLAVORS TO TRY

How about Rasberry and Espresso to make a mocha? Or Vanilla and Orange Cream to make Orange Crush? Yumm…Anything with Espresso and I’m happy!

My favorite brand of Gel and all Fuel/Refuel is Hammer Nutrition.  

So, what do you take for immediate energy right before a workout? If it’s not a gel, what do you do?

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Formerly, as a physical educator, I would see over 100 kids a day. HUGE SCHOOL. One class every hour. My lessons always included a muscle of the day, cardio, stretching, skill taught and a game. On a time budget- always moving from one activity to the next. Unless a teacher specifically told me about a child (ADD, diabetes, MS, parental problems), I knew nothing about them. Teachers tell teachers of various problems, illnesses about children but the children themselves DO NOT need to be whispered about in front of class or on the way out the door. Seeing a child with a medical ID bracelet would certainly help clear up any confusion or non-communicated concerns.

So, I was pretty excited to share with you the story of Lauren. She has diabetes but refused to wear the traditional medical ID bracelet. She did not want to STAND out in the crowd. Lauren, however, was willing to wear jewelry. So, this eventually lead to the creation of Lauren’s Hope. A fashionable piece of jewelry that ALSO has the vital information on it.

Each piece of Lauren’s Hope jewelry is crafted with the finest of materials including sterling silver, 14K gold, crystals, pearls, beaded leather and a myriad of stones and charms. Customers can choose a style from the extensive catalog or have a bracelet custom designed. Once a selection has been made, customers then submit their specific medical information, allergies/special needs, and emergency contact info for engraving. In addition to bracelets, Lauren’s Hope now offers necklaces, guitar picks, ankle bracelets, watches and even pet tags! Designs are available for men, women and children.

Lauren’s Hope is proud to donate a portion of their profit to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. To date, Lauren’s Hope has donated over $75,000.

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU.

I like this one! But you can pick any bracelet or neckace you want! They will print the vital information on a tag that attaches to the bracelet or necklace! So, please take a momment and go check out Laurens Hope and post a comment right here on this post. WInner will be chosen at Random.org on August 3rd at 9pm. Retail value is $50.

Edited to add:

Even my husband needs/should be wearing an ID bracelet.  Anybody with any a health concern who exercises or not, should wear an ID bracelet.  Hubby recently had to check himself in the hospital for a bee allergy and now must carry an Epi pen at all times.

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