Goodbye shoelaces, hello RIPLACES

Not only are we lucky to be able to train outside year-round in Florida but our weather brings for many opportunities for year-round Farmer's Markets. We are incredibly spoiled by the many vendors at our Farmer's Markets, from local bakers and chefs to jewlery designers, farmers and other local companies. I just love to support small businesses and to learn more about people who have a dream for a service, food or skill that can make a difference in someone's life. If you are in the Jacksonville area, I highly recommend to stop by the Bartram Farmers Market from 3pm - 7pm today (THURS 12/5). Don't forget to bring cash.   These were a few of our finds at the last Bartram Farmers Market - apple struedels, cinnamon bread, radishes, RIPLACES (given to us to try out) and a variety of 100% fruit jams.     From the Nocatee Farmers Market, our favorite: FRESH BREAD! German rye loaf. A simple real food ingredient list with no preservatives. After one bite, you'll understand our love for real bread and why it makes our body feel so good inside.   After getting to know the owners/creators of RIPLACES, at the Bartram Farmers Market, I felt an instant connection to their passion for their product. As a small business owner myself, there is nothing more gratifying than not having to "sell" your service but instead, just being yourself and believing in your product/service and also "acting" the part. As you know, I don't agree with extreme ways of living, acting or thinking so I really appreciate people who have a balanced approach to living a great life. I knew right away that I wanted to try this product, not only because it was something new and innovative (which I love to support) but I felt really comfortable getting to know David and his son. I really love companies that have a service or produt that enhances your lifestyle. In other words, it isn't the driving force in getting you started with your goals, but instead, you have the goals, motivation or excitement to get started and the company (food, product or service) helps you enjoy the journey even more. Whether it is purely for motivation (who doesn't love something new?) or the product/item helps to improve your health, keep you safe or helps you train smart, there's something special about companies who support your lifestyle and want to make it even better with their service/product.       Karel and I (and Campy) had a little RIPLACE party one evening as we put on our RIPLACES. This was really quick and easy, thanks to the informative video on the Website . After trying out the RIPLACES for various runs (and walking around), I really enjoy the simplicity of not having to worry about shoelaces on my running (and walking) shoes. BTW - I never got into "triathlon" marketed shoes laces so for the past 5 years or so, I have kept it really simple by using jacket cord locks on my shoelaces (use your shoelace as normal and then slide your laces through the lock and then close down the lock to fit your tightness needs. Allow a few inches of extra lace so that you can loosen the cord to remove your shoe, and then make a knot and allow a little bit extra before snipping off the extra laces.)     Realizing that many people like their shoelaces tight or loose, "each set of Riplaces comes with 60 precision-made loops (12 each of 5 different sizes) of the highest quality elastic covered in a durable stretch fabric shell. The different sizes allow you to personally tune your Riplaces installation for optimimum comfort and performance. The precision sizing and stretch coefficient of our Riplace bands are a key part of the product design; comfort and performance are the key design criteria for Riplaces." I had to borrow a few of Karel's RIPLACES (green color) because I needed all of my RIPLACES to be in the smallest loop possible. I don't find them loose when I am running and after a few times of getting use to them, I find them really easy to put on and they give me the right amount of support around my ankle and top of my foot (You  do have to use your hand to open the tongue of the shoe for if you are using for running, you will likely want the top lace to be snug to prevent your ankle from rolling).   I will say that if you are a triathlete, I recommend to try out the laces before you decide to use them in a race because many triathletes have preferences for how tight/loose they want their laces and also because many people experience swelling in their feet during endurance training/racing, you may need to modify the size of your laces. If you feel the RIPLACES aren't ideal for your training/racing, I recommend my cord locks (above) as a simple option. This is one product that I recommend to try out to see if it works for you as a runner or triathlete, with your training. I think fitness enthusiasts will really enjoy the RIPLACES because you won't have to worry about training for a race in your shoes but instead, just enjoying your active lifestlye with your shoes to keep you moving. But in terms of using the RIPLACES for every day shoe wear (ex. walking shoes, etc.) I highly recommend the RIPLACES. One question I had was about the durability of the laces. As we all know, our shoes take a beating with training/racing and daily life. David answered me at the Farmers Market when I met him but according to the website:

"The Riplace closures are extremely durable components that should outlast the shoe itself. We use the highest quality injection-molded nylon (the same material used in many mil-spec and law enforcement tactical products) and polycarbonate (used in clear bullet-proof products). We have test users who have worn the same set of bands for nearly a year with no problem. If a band wears out or breaks, remember that your basic Riplaces kit includes 60 bands; you should have plenty of spares if the need ever arises."   There are many types of styles and colors which is important because I have a saying that "if you match, you will go fast." :)

If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email or you can visit the web store (RIPLACES).  Riplaces offers free shipping on all orders to the continental United States, regardless of order size.   You can also check them out (and follow) on FACEBOOK.   Thanks RIPLACES for letting me review your product  (in exchange for a free pair for me and Karel) and to share your company with my readers.

In need of a bike trainer? Karel recommends........

I consider myself really lucky to be married to my bike mechanic. Not only is he crazy smart in all things related to bikes and a talented cat 1 cyclist (turned endurance triathlete and Trimarni coach) but with his retail experience as the former GM of the Trek Bicycle Store of Jacksonville for the past 5 years, Karel does a great job of staying up to date with products, gear and technology.

 

With the temps dropping, many athletes and fitness enthusiasts have a few options for riding in the winter months:
-brave the cold and bundle up
-dust off the bike in the spring
-compu trainer or spin classes

-indoor cycle trainer

 

I receive many questions about indoor trainers (obviously, the questions are for Karel for that is not my area of expertise) so I thought I would highlight a few trainers that Karel recommends.

 

A few things that Karel suggests to consider for when you are purchasing an athletic/fitness product/gear/equipment:

-Customer service - can they help you when your product malfunctions? what's the return policy? are they helpful from reviews?
-Budget - what's your price range? what are you willing to pay extra for and what's a deal breaker?
-Reliabilty and function - if you are paying for quality, what are you getting in return?
-Safety - if applicable
-Upgrades/updates - are there updates for software? do they have a good website for update features or new additions?

 

 

An indoor trainer is a great investment to help you stay consistent with training, no matter rain or snow/ice. But with so many brands and types of trainers on the market, it can be a little overwhelming to find the right trainer. And when we say "right", one that won't eat up your rear tire, won't cause a lot of noise and one that will provide enough resistance to simulate outside terrain.

 

Before I get into trainer models, let's talk tires. There are many trainer tires out so he recommend to invest in a tire specific to the trainer if you are doing most of your riding inside (if you only ride the trainer once or twice every month or two inside, you are fine with what you ride outside just inspect it before you take it outside). 

Karel recommends to have a seperate wheel for your trainer (if you use a rear wheel - see below) to make your life a lot easier so that you can just put on your trainer wheel and you won't have to worry about ruining a tire. But, if you need a "trainer specific tire", Karel recommends Cycleops trainer tire ($34) for your rear wheel. Also, do not ride your trainer tire (that you have used all winter or for most of your rides indoors) outside. There will be a "hot" spot or a flat part of the wheel where the tire was rubbing and this can make the tire sensitive in turns as well as for a flat tire outside.

Here are a few trainers that Karel recommends:
(we were not paid to promote these products. Also, many websites have videos to learn more about their trainers. Any questions, you can send me an email @ Marni@Trimarnicoach.com )

 

Cycleops Fluid ProFor a simple trainer without fancy features (ex. no virtual reality courses, etc.) this is a great option with a lifetime warranty. Smooth, quiet and realistic resistance. It has a good frame and won't break the bank account. Karel really likes Cycleops as a brand. They have excellent customer service and are very quick if anything happens with the product (warranty or non-warranty issues).

Price - ~$399 

 

Silencer Direct Drive Mag

Another great trainer from Cycleops but one that will substitute your rear wheel. With the cassette in place on the trainer, all you need to do is remove your rear wheel from the bike and fit it right into the trainer. The best part is that you don't have to worry about ruining your rear tire from The silencer provides direct drive technology and is promoted as a "silent" trainer. resistance.

Price: $659 - $729 (with or without cassettee)

 

 

 

 

 

Wahoo Kickr

 

If you want to have more fun riding indoors and on different courses Karel suggests the Wahoo Kicker. It can be connected via Bluetooth to a smart phone or tablet. It's a newer trainer on the market but has been shown to be reliable and the company has great customers service and support. It also substitutes the real wheel so you won't ruin your tire.
Price - $1099

 

 

 

 

 

Computrainer

The last category of trainers is a virtual reality trainer or training with power, which are two features of the Computrainer trainers.
Although a bit more expensive than most trainers, this is a great option for anyone who may get bored riding inside and wants to have some fun with different courses. This is also an effective trainer that has been shown to help riders improve their fitness on the bike.
This is also a good trainer for athletes who work with coaches so that the coach can see the power file after uploading to a training software program (ex. Training Peaks).
The Computrainer requires a lot more settings whereas the Wahoo trainer is a bit more simple. But everyone has their own likes/dislikes so like with any technology, some things take getting use to but are worth the extra money, time and attention. The computrainers are  compatible with ANT+ and heartrate. There are other features like Spin Scan to help improve pedal strokes as well as Real Course videos to be able to "ride" on your upcoming race course (if available).

Price - varies ($1400-$5000)

 

 

Hodge-Podge!

First off, a huge congrats to anyone who raced this past week. I always want to make a BIG shout-out to all the Jacksonville, FL athletes who raced!! We have a super fast, strong and competitive group here in Jacksonville and with several podium finishes at NOLA 70.3 and several other notable accomplishments among athletes in the past few months of racing, I am so lucky to be part of such a BIG running and triathlon community here in Jacksonville. Way to go Jax athletes!!!

Well, it took 3 full day but I can finally roll my quads on the foam roller without screaming...too loud :) My piriformis (aka - butt) has been rolled with my TP massage ball at least 2-3 times a day (morning, late afternoon/early evening, before bed) to prevent any residual tightness/restrictions in my glutes. As for the rest of my recovery - loving it all besides not being able to walk down stairs at the hospital on Mon. Ok - maybe I did oddly love that a little bit. Monday was a day off as my main focus was on sleep which is always hard after a race. I was tossing and turning all night, too exhausted to fall asleep and then waking up every few hours during the night. By 4:15am I had enough and came downstairs to do some computer work. Campy has enjoyed his slow walks but he is craving a run, just like his mommy. But, we both know not to rush this process for I wouldn't gain anything out of a run right now and I will continue to respect my body as it heals and grows stronger. For I can do other things with my sore body, so to speed up the healing process, I swam 3000 yrds nice and easy on Tues (which I was more sore Tues than Mon) and on Wed, I did a few light hip exercises to loosen me up at the Y and followed that with a 4000 yrd swim (typically Wed yardage for me). Thursday - finally back on my bike as I have missed it so very much. This week is all about unstructured exercise - not "training". Just keep the body moving whether it is swim and bike or elliptical and walking. I will see how my body feels this weekend for my legs may want to run on Sat or Sun. Starting Monday....5 weeks until the Rock n RollMan Half Ironman in Macon, GA. This will be my third year racing this incredibly challenging and hot course and I will be racing in the Elite wave....certainly out of my comfort zone but that's racing.


I can't get enough of this little guy.....is it possible to have too many pics of Campy??

Dinner on Monday night.....YUM-O!
Tempeh Buitoni shells (Karel loves these) Broccoli Black beans (canned - rinsed and drained) Green pepper Artichokes (jar - rinsed and drained) Garlic Onions Sunflower oil
1. Cook tempeh in sunflower oil until slightly golden brown, on medium heat.
  2. Add cooked broccoli, green pepper, artichokes, onions and chopped garlic.
3. Cook beans until soft (1-2 minutes in microwave)
4. Assemble plate - eat up!

Here is a great video that was captured during my last Oakley Women product testing trip, in Laguna Beach.

 

And another great one on Oakley O form.....if you are an athlete, your choice of clothing is super important!



If you are in town, I'll be speaking at the upcoming Hammer Head Triathlon Club meeting on May 2nd (Wed) at 6:15pm at the Trek Bicycle Store (San Jose Location) - Check out my website, under the Recent News and Events section for the flyer. I have SO many raffle items (Oakley, 110%, CEP, Hammer) it is necessary that you come if you want to have a chance to win some amazing products from some of my favorite companies!

  I am so lucky to be in a profession where I can help people reach goals. It motivates me to "practice what I preach" but also to live a life that may inspire others. Over the past year, I have embraced the topics of intuitive and mindful eating. Particularly, have I learned a lot from my mentors at Preferred Nutrition, who specialize in a treating individuals with eating disorders, by using a team approach along side motivational interviewing. As a Registered Dietitian, I am required to keep up with my CEU's and in doing that, I enjoy watching webinars whenever possible. I try to find topics that are semi-familiar to me, that I can relate to or that I feel will help others. The past two webinars were incredible. The first one was on Intuitive eating and the second one was on Intuitive eating for diabetics. Absolutely life-changing - that is, if you want to try something so simple, that may change your life. Although I say simple, we all know that changing habits is hard. But it is strange that when you live a balanced life all while keeping a healthy relationship with food, exercise and the body, it feels good....almost un-natural considering that many people feel as if hunger, low blood sugar, fatigue, extreme soreness and pain (in any form) are expected when reaching body composition or performance goals. Um....I don't think so! How about feeling energized, healthy, happy and balanced with a new way of living life. In the last webinar, the presenter said something so incredible that will stick with me forever "It's OK to feel hungry. The idea is that when you finish eating, you should feel better than when you started." Those words are so beautiful, especially for those who commonly say "I shouldn't have eaten all that, I shouldn't have eaten that, I feel so full, I feel so bad now, I really messed up...." It's not about being perfect, make some progress with what you are doing by associating that "feeling" after you eat to the desire and want to change how you eat and most importantly, how you plan your meals and snacks to maintain stable blood sugar (eat when you are hungry or to prevent a dip in blood sugar) and to fuel and recover from activity (never neglect sport nutrition in order to control calories!). I invite you to check out these 10 principles on intuitive eating.

And lastly, I had the opportunity to contribute an article on the 110% Play Harder blog....feel free to check it out HERE as well as several other good reads.

Oakley Women Sunglass review

In case you missed it, Oakley Women is launching another Oakley Women "perform beautifully" contest. Check it out @Oakleywomen on facebook for more details. While you are on facebook, don't forget to LIKE my Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition page for updates on reseach, motivational quotes, cute pics of Campy and lots of other tips and suggestions.

If you feel you perform beautifully on a daily basis, be sure to submit your entry for a chance to win an amazing, once in a lifetime trip to Napa Valley and a year full of fabulous swag on the perform beautifully page from Oakley Women facebook.

As you may know, I am a long-time Oakley Sunglass wearer. Karel introduced me to Oakley the minute we met..okay, maybe a few days later, and I was hooked. Having a chance to be an Oakley ambassador has been absolutely amazing as I have had so many opportunities to learn about the sunglasses and the importance of quality in the Oakley line of glasses and gear.

I had one pair of Tifosi sunglasses when I met Karel and of course they were pink. They were also cheap and who knows about the research behind Tifosi if they were safe for my eyes and skin from sun damage, if they could withstand my active lifestyle and if they could hold up during my Ironman training. Once I tried on my new pair of Oakley's (which were also Pink - Half Jackets), I was in love and never once went back to any other pair of sunglasses.

Many women choose sunglasses for a logo or a name or perhaps the style. Once thing that scares athletic/active women is breaking their sunglasses while exercising or training.

Let me tell you something...Karel has been involved in many crashes as a cyclist and not one pair of Oakley's have been affected in a crash. Karel, on the other hand, has had his experiences with some major road rash but the Oakley's were always A-ok.

One thing that may surprise you with Oakley sunglasses is that they won't slip off your face or move. They are comfortable and not tight around the ears. Depending on the style and your face, I have had great success with my glasses being able to fit under visors/hats as well as fitting comfortably around my ears with a biking helmet or aero helmet.

Testimonial...I have worn three different pairs of Oakley's in my last 4 Ironman races and training....
Half Jackets
Radar
Commit
IMKY

IMWI

KONA #2 (2011)


I wanted to share some of my favorites with you as I have received many emails over the past few months, mostly from active women (and men) who are seeking a new pair of sunglasses. Most people tell me they are ready to spend the money on Oakley's but in my mind, why not spend the money on something of great quality, made in the US and to fit your active lifestyle?
Here's a bit about the sunglases from the
Oakley Women website:
All lenses are made with High Definition Optics® (HDO®); for clarity and impact resistance that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards. The contours of 8.75 base lens curvature extend peripheral vision and improve side protection, and our Plutonite® lens material stops all UV cold. We enhance every lens with a permanent coating called Oakley Hydrophobic™, a marvel of science that repels dust while maintaining a smudge-resistant barrier against skin oils, finger prints, lotions and sunscreens and even repels water to prevent streaks and sheens from corrupting your vision.

If you manage to get hold of this coveted design, the first thing you’ll notice is the low weight. Our stress-resistant O Matter® frame material makes it possible. Slide the sunglass on and you’ll feel a Three-Point Fit that touches only the sides of your head and the bridge of your nose, and does so with Unobtainium® components that increase grip with perspiration. The geometry is optimized for women, so don’t be surprised if Commit fits and feels better than any sunglass you’ve ever worn.
•Optimized peripheral vision and side protection of 8.75 base lens curvature
•Comes standard with Oakley Hydrophobic™/Oleophobic anti-smudge lens coating on all lens options
•Comfort and performance of Three-Point Fit that holds lenses in precise optical alignment
•Optical precision, performance and impact resistance that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards
•UV protection of Plutonite® lens that filters out 100% of UVA/ UVB/ UVC & harmful blue light up to 400nm
•Glare reduction and tuned light transmission of Iridium® lens coating
•Interchangeable lenses to optimize performance in any environment
•Available with Oakley prescription lenses
•Durability and all-day comfort of lightweight, stress-resistant O Matter® frame material
•Patented hydrophilic Unobtainium® earsocks and nosepads ensure a snug, secure fit, and increase grip with perspiration
•True sports performance frame optimized for Women’s fit
•Metal icon accents
•Protective sports-specific Oakley Soft Vault included with capacity for extra lenses

(Wondering if you need polarized glasses? I learned the polarized glasses are mainly to reduce glare...not for enhanced clarity. So unless you are going to wear your glasses near wet areas/surfaces, this is not a necessary feature. However, it's all about personal preference as many people do like the polarized look through the lenses. Also, Oakley makes prescription glasses for all styles so this may be something you would like to consider. If you have questions regarding prescription glasses, let me know. My dad is an eye doc and has a pair of Oakley prescription glases and uses them for running and for day wear).

Now, I realize that is a lot of info so here are a few of my favs to help you find the best pair of glasses to fit your needs.

STYLE
IDEAL


-For a sporty look to fit your active lifestyle. I don't find these comfortable to train in so I would recommend these for showing off your active lifestyle without having to do much activity in them. My face is small so perhaps these glasses may work for you if you want to run in them.

DRIZZLE


-If you want a stylish pair of glasses for running, I HIGHLY recommend the Drizzles! MY absolute FAVORITE pair of stylish glasses and YES, you can train in these for running! I also like the Overtime as both glasses will NOT slip off your face! I even did Yoga in both pairs of glasses and they never moved. Super comfortable for my small face.

MISS CONDUCT - Team USA edition


-I have not tried out MISS CONDUCT but my Oakley ambassador friends LOVE LOVE LOVE these glasses. They say they are perfect for all activities. I am just in love with the Team USA look...I can't wait to get a pair of these on my face!


SPORT
Going back to the idea of breaking your sunglasses or messing them up when training....let me tell you something about Oakley.
This isn't a company that makes gear for the sedentary. Oakley knows how active you are, whether you are a triathlete, runner or cyclist or just enjoy yoga or playing outside with your kids. Field tested, laboratory tested and heavily researched, Oakley doesn't mess around when it comes to making sure the sunglasses that you are wearing support your active lifestyle.

Consider this..
Many cyclists wear Oakley. You see them on Tours on TV and in magazines, they love Oakley's. Imagine racing your bike for 5,6 or 7 hours, day after day. If you have a pair of sunglasses that is not of good quality, bring on the headaches, eye/brain fatigue and pressure in the head..all due to poor quality sunglasses.
From an Ironman perspective, I figure on race day I am wearing my Oakley's for about 10 hours straight. From around 8:05am until 5:00pm, I am wearing sunglasses on my face, in addition to a helmet and then a visor. That's a long time to wear sunglasses. Again, a lot can happen in 10 hours and in addition to safety for my eyes, if a pair of sunglasses is causing me pain or discomfort, how can I focus on my race?
Here are a few of my favorite sunglasses...

Half Jacket


Flak Jacket


-I have experience wearing the Half Jackets. To me, the difference is the lens. With my small face, I really like the shape of the lens as it doesn't hit my face, around my cheeks. Oakley has worked really hard thanks to feedback from consumers, on their ear and nose pieces and thankfully, no more hair catching or rough edges. I also like that I can change my lenses for any Oakley's. Karel is a fan of Jawbone and he is constantly changing the lenses, especially for evening riding (clear lenses) or morning racing/training. I feel the Flak jacket and Half Jacket give an athlete a very sporty look, screaming "competitive" but also confidence and the ability to succeed.

Radar

-Now these scream competitive and that is what I LOVE about them. Karel got me these about two years ago and he told me these were my racing glasses. Something about these glasses just yell "I'm ready for action!" I love that Oakley glasses have a flavor to them that not only fit your needs but also your style. Whereas some women may prefer the Drizzles for a running race, there are others who may want a flashy sunglass like the Radar's. Whatever your style, that's what works for you. The idea is that you are paying for quality and that it enhances your lifestyle.


Committ


-By far, this is my favorite pair! I have two pairs (brown and white) and would LOVE to get my hands on the Team USA special edition. For my small face, this pair fits me the best and often I have to touch my face when training, just to make sure they are still on. Oakley lenses do not fog up so the lenses are always clear. The glasses are super light which is great for when I am doing a long training workout. Also, the ear pieces are firm so they don't move on your face but do not cause any extra pressure. Really, these are my absolute favorite and no matter what time I am training, I wear my Commit sunglasses. They also have a little bit of style to them so for someone who is wanting a pair to wear in training and for daily lifestyle, I would say that you could certainly pull off the brown or white pair of Commit.


Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the sunglases that Oakley has to offer, where to buy or any other concerns that you may have.

Thanks for reading!