The Karhu Strong 2 Fulcrum Ride is a unique shoe! Below are two perspectives of its performance and suggestions for the type of runner who may benefit most from this exclusive design.

Neutral runner

If you are a neutral runner with no pronation, this shoe is not for you.  The roll forward-orientated design may feel strange, and the added stabilization could compromise your natural running gate. Never the less, if you are a mid-foot striker the proprietary EVA blend near the middle of the foot provides protective cushioning and maximum resilience helping to propel you into your next stride.

Pronator

If you have flat, pronated feet and need a high stability shoe, give the Karhu Strong 2 Fulcrum a try!

The Fulcrum roll forward-orientated design may help the heel striker transition from the heel to toe more smoothly and more efficiently.  The forefoot is very thin and breathable, which may make you aware of the rocks and inconsistencies during a trail run. If you pronate, the Fulcrum technology works well!

Finally the "glowing" green color is very noticeable - be ready for comments!

Below are the specs of the shoe:

• Breathable air mesh upper vents your working foot so your sweat doesn't form blisters
• Carbon fiber plate provides a rigid structure for the unpredictable road or path ahead
• An EVA forefoot insert promotes health by lining up your metatarsal heads while you run
• The breathable Ortholite footbed cradles your foot and manages sweating
• Compression-molded and blown rubber make up the outsole, which includes flex zones so you stay in contact with the road through your stride
• Reflective logos keep you visible to drivers during dawn or dusk runs

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Training during the winter can be difficult, not only because it is dark by the time you are done working, but the weather may not cooperate with your workout schedule.  Thankfully I live in a state that allows me to be active all year, as long as I have the right clothing that protects against the elements.

Craft Sports has great base wear for wind resistance that really holds up well against Colorado winters.  ZEROextreme Wind Stop shirt has a great fit, sleeves that are long enough for those of us who are tall, and is very comfortable.   While running in temperatures below 30 degrees, it wicked away moisture and kept my core warm - no more "pink belly"!   Since the gore panels do not run through the arms, I found it didn't protect me against the wind while biking.  Albeit, for skiing, it was a great base layer and I was able to ski comfortably in temperatures nearing zero!

The ZEROx Gunde Boxer appears to be too small when you take it out of the package; however the elasticity of the material allows it to fit comfortably.  They were great as a base layer under running tights and I was very warm in temperatures under 30 degrees.  I have a long inseam, I would recommend lengthening the inseam so they don't ride up while running and lower the waste band a bit for comfort.

Check out all of the options for athletic wear that Craft USA has to offer: www.craftsports.us.

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Vitargo S2: The New Refueling and Recovery Beverage?

As athletes, we are all looking for the next product that could give us an edge over the competition.   We know that carbohydrates are necessary for optimal performance when doing exercise, however many times with long endurance events athletes get GI distress that may cause slower times or potentially a "DNF".   Let me introduce you to a product that is science-based and shown to positively affect performance while not to cause bloating or other GI distress: Vitargo^(R) S2.  Below is an interview with Anthony L. Almada, MSc, FISSN, CEO of GENr8, and the co-founder of EAS.

MR: Hello Anthony, it's great to see you again!  Tell me about Vitargo S2, what is it?

AA: Vitargo is a starch extract from any source such as barley, corn, or wheat.  It is patented similar to a drug in the sense of size, shape, and the chemical make-up of the starch extract.  This is why the source doesn't matter.

MR: I noticed there are 70g of carbs in Vitargo S2, this is huge and usually causes bloating, especially for women.  What is the difference between Vitargo and other carbohydrate drinks that contain maltodextrin as the carb source?

AA: Vitargo S2 works on 3 areas of the body: stomach (no bloating), to the muscle, to recovery. 

1.     The stomach - Vitargo empties from the stomach 2.3x faster than maltodextrin, which means no bloating (Leiper, et al, 2000).

2.     At the muscle the glycemic and insulin response - it raises blood sugar 2x faster than maltodextrin or other sugars (Stephens et al, 2008) with no crash, and rapid fueling of the brain.  Insulin rises concurrently with blood sugar, which means it gets into the cell where it helps replenish glycogen and reduce post-exercise muscle protein breakdown.

3.     Post workout recovery - following exhaustive exercise Vitargo increased glycogen replenishment by 68% in the first 2 hours (Aulin et al. 2000).  Max work was tested in a single 15-minute max cycling bout. When the subjects consumed Vitargo (100 g carbs, post-exhaustive cycling) vs. maltodextrin they did up to 23% more work 2 hours following exhaustive exercise (Stephens et al, 2008*).  If you recover faster, you can do more work and improve performance! 

MR: Based on our conversation, I couldn't resist and had to give it a try.  As a woman I do not need all the calories found in original Vitargo S2, so I used 20g split between pre/post strength workouts.  I have noticed better energy and strength since I've tried this small amount.  I am definitely going to watch for further product development! 

Vitargo S2 is designed for strength and endurance athletes, making it ideal for bloat-free fueling.  Incorporate Vitargo S2:

• During training and race seasons
• Post workout for improved glycogen replenishment and recovery
• In the off-season when your goal is to build strength

Please visit http://www.genr8speed.com/ for more information on Vitargo S2. 

Thank you for your time, Anthony! 

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Living in Colorado and being active outdoors during in the winter requires thermal wear that works!  I am notoriously known for being cold, whether I am snowboarding or sitting behind my desk at work.  I've had the privilege to try a line of Nordic wear by Craft USA.

During a recent snowshoeing adventure, I tested the Women's PXC Thermal Top.  I stayed warm and dry as the temperatures dropped over 30 degrees.  Check out the features of the Women's PXC Thermal Top:

• Stretch fabric for comfort and ease of movement
• Brushed inner fabric that provides warmth and moisture management properties
• Longer back for better coverage - on the slopes, snowshoeing, or cycling
• Two-way front zipper for ventilation and a mock turtle neck for warmth
• Two back mesh pockets (I love these!)
• One chest pocket, which is great for keys!

This thermal top provided warmth and moisture wicking properties while I was snowshoeing.  I was never cold or wet from sweating.  I highly recommend this top for all your winter activities or as a light outer layer in the Spring or Fall.  Visit http://www.craft-usa.com/ for all your performance wear and "Conquer the Winter"!

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