The Daily Feed Archives // womenspecific.com

Daily Feed Archives

September 2006

September 24, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Pacing Your Food

Okay ladies…here is some words from Rebecca Huntington on how eating less before a hard effort will actually give you more energy. I must agree with her…though…I still tend to pig out before and after. I have posed the scientific question of why eating less gives us more power to our nutrionists and will get back to you on that. Until then check out this blog on pacing your food.

September 21, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Lafuma: The Lady Active Trail Mesh Trail Runner

Having spent years on the same brand trail running shoe, it was a stretch for me to test out these shoes mostly because I do not like to deal with a “breaking in” period. Usually heading out for 20+ miles, I do not want to be in any discomfort. At first glance, the Trail Mesh is appealing and easy to slip on. I did walk around my house and office for a couple days before any outdoor adventure. The fit is roomy, yet supportive.
There is a dual toggle system for laces. I set them at a certain tightness and was able to slip the shoes on and off without any further toggle adjustment. The toggles are strategically placed at the toe and instep locations making forefoot and rear foot snug and providing a custom fit for your foot structure. The tongue is made of 3D mesh and has a neoprene stretch lace pocket to tuck in the instep toggle.

There is tough toe, heel, and side reinforcements that give you added protection designed for hitting rocks, roots, etc. The Vibram Trail sole designed exclusively for Lafuma is a super gripper and the overall shoe is lightweight. Their lacing system goes all the way around your foot making for superior support and comfort. Other materials are Lafuma special nylon and nylon ripstop which provide high resistance to abrasion. I never rolled my foot and felt confident in all conditions, rock hopping, uneven terrain, and even at dusk.

A couple MINOR comments follow.
1.) Though I barely adjusted the toggles after the first fitting, I did recently and had a tough time. The toggle tab had become gritty from all the dust and debris on the trails and I simply could not get it to budge. Luckily the setting is to my liking.

2.) I really do like the breathable mesh design and find this trail shoe fabulous. However, at the start of one particularly long run, the shoes (my feet) got very wet right away as I made my way through early morning wet grasses and flowers. My feet got soaked and turned into prunes in my shoes. Six hours later as I took off my shoes, they were still damp and my feet slightly raw for a day or two. Ouch. BUT, I do like the mesh, do not get me wrong, and the shoe probably dried faster than other shoes made with more non breathable materials.

Overall: I highly recommend the Lafuma Trail Mesh for women. It looks good, performs well, holds up for long distances, and has a long trail life. I have put over 200 miles on this shoe and there is barely any visible wear on the soles. They are still supportive, yet noticeably dirty, of course…this cannot be avoided. I would also recommend this shoe as an approach climbing shoe.

September 21, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Lafuma Hunza 40 Lady Backpack

Material: Micro Ripstop/ Ballistic 1300
Great Value!

Every year I go on several backpack trips and have yet to scale down my load until now. The Hunza 40 Lady= has forced this issue. I am small framed and tend to carry a pack that is the same size as me and over half of my own body weight. Naturally, by the end of trips, I am beat up and feel a couple inches shorter. I realize it is OK to feel tired and somewhat tattered after backpacking, but I also knew there were better pack systems out there specifically made for women, really made for women.

The Hunza 40 Lady has revolutionized my backpacking adventures. I have learned to scale down my load a bit but also this pack fits like a dream. Empty, the pack weighs a mere 4 lbs, 8-oz. but allows for 2450 cu in. of space. I admit the color (pink) is funny and screams women’s specific “want to be”, but do not let it fool you. The burly design of the CR power frame back system provides for several adjustment options enhancing load stability. The lid has an elastic adjustable holder on the outside for extra clothes. The lid has a roomy pocket for easy access items, snacks, sunglasses, sun block, etc. Though the polyurethane coating gives the bag a waterproof quality, a bonus feature is a rain cover that is stored (attached) in its own lid pocket. It is fluorescent orange and definitely caused a commotion amongst my friends…but hey, they always knew my location.

There are side compression straps that adjust as your load expands or contracts, side gusseted zip pockets, and side mesh pockets for water bottles, poles, ice axe, etc. A hydration pocket and port is included as well. Another bonus feature is an attached pocket on the waist belt where I kept my camera, lip balm, Clif Nectar Bar, and a Hammer gel.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this pack for long or short backpack trips. It takes some imagination if you need to carry a lot, but definitely doable. Recently, after hiking 18 miles, I was tired but the pack was still comfortable. The size makes it easy to put on and take off. The waist belt straps and sternum straps easily adjust. So, if you are looking for a quality pack with lots of usable features, comfort, a lightweight design, and affordable, the Hunza 40 Lady is for you. Lafuma also makes the Hunza Lady 50 offering 3230 cu in. and weighing in at 5lbs 4-oz, at about $119.00.

September 18, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Hit the Trails!

September 18, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Fall Mountain Biking is Fabulous: It's not too late to learn!

Cooler temperatures, the changing colors of the trees, not so overgrown trails, and dinner parties are only some of the reasons that Fall is the best time of year. If you are new to the sport of mountain biking and think that it is too late to get started you are very wrong! This is the best time of the year for riding…go for it. Get the addiction in your system now so you will be itching to get back on the bike next spring.

This article, Hit the Trails, by Ashlee Tollett will give you some ideas on how to get started on this wonderful sport.

September 13, 2006
Posted by Jannine

A "REAL" Energy Bar Recipe.

Here is a great recipe submitted by Andrea Reichert for some home-made energy bars.

Andrea Reichert loves running, cycling and anything outdoors (especially in the winter). She received a MPH in nutrition from the University of Minnesota. In college she was a rower, to which she attributes her initial interest in sports nutrition. Her new love is snowboarding and is a member of NSP. Other interests include cooking, sustainable agriculture, and traveling. She lives in Minneapolis where she works as a registered dietitian in an eating disorders unit. Feel free to contact her: areichert@spu.edu.

September 08, 2006
Posted by Jannine

HERA Climb for Life, Salt Lake City: NEXT WEEKEND!!

If you have the time and it is not too late to make a trip to Salt Lake City for the 5th annual HERA (Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness) Climb for Life then GO! It is a blast! You will meet amazing people, climb in amazing areas, dance your face off, and generate funds and awareness for Ovarian Cancer. This is an important event. I guarantee you will love it.

Please continue on to read this events press release from Sean Patrick, HERA’s founder and Ovarian cancer survivor. She rules!

September 05, 2006
Posted by Jannine

Nectarine Dream: Mount Moran's North Summit

I had a plump, juicy nectarine nestled in the pocket of my Windstopper fleece jacket as we got a brisk, 5 a.m. start up the Leigh Lake trail. I slipped my hands inside my jacket pockets to chase away the early morning chill and encountered the nectarine, a sweet treat kept handy to nudge me up the trail. I knew it would be an epic day since a rainy Saturday had doused our plans to camp and motivated us to try a one-day ascent of Mount Moran instead. The rounded fruit in my pocket, the plump orb as radiant orange as the early morning sunrise, held promise. By the end of the day, however, I would end up as stiff and wooden as its sucked-dry pit, the sweet flesh consumed but not forgotten.