Product: Gaiam Om Yoga Shorts
Manufacturer: Gaiam
Where to Buy: Kohl's
Price: $28-36
Utilization: clothing
Rating: silver medal
I'm in year two of trying shorts for running instead of capris. I have thunder thighs, so the cute Nike tempo shorts and similar just don't work for me. Last year, I founded some bermuda-length shorts that worked decently enough and enjoyed having slightly less material during our 95+ degree summer runs. This year, those shorts are a little loose and creep up, so I had to find something else.
Kohl's is actually a favorite place of mine to find gear. I've procured a number of great tank tops and capris, plus a smattering of other gear, and usually at a decent price. I found these shorts in the front of the store with all of the other workout gear. They are available in sizes XS - 3X, though this review is only of the standard size option (XS - XL). Since everything at Kohl's is on sale sooner or later, I was able to get these at a discounted price. Add in my 30% off coupon and I snagged these for less than $20.
The length is just right. If they were a little shorter, I would worry about thigh chafing. Fortunately, they do not creep up when walking or running, so the length is perfect. The material has a slight give so it's not very compressive, but it goes on comfortably and stays put. The waistband is a little high, which gives a little extra tummy support. There is also a small pocket along the waistband which comfortably held my Chapstick and could have held a key or gel. The material is light but not at all see-through.
I took these out for a 120 minute bike ride today. Admittedly not the best choice, but I wanted to take them for a spin. There is absolutely no padding for the bike seat, but that's to be expected on yoga shorts. The shorts were very comfortable on the bike ride and didn't move when I got off and walked around. After my ride, I wore these while lounging on my porch and working in my yard. They remained comfortable for 8 hours of additional wear, through bending, squatting, walking, climbing, and sitting. The cut is flattering and made my butt look good, so I even felt comfortable enough to wear them to Lowe's. Twice. If I show up on People of Lowe's, it will only be because I was filthy and smelly!
Silver medal awarded for: comfort, fit, lack of compression
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Product Review: Salt (yep, just table salt)
Product: table salt
Manufacturer: earth, with a little help from Morton's
Where to Buy: literally every store you've ever been to
Price: dang near free
Utilization: hydration/electrolytes
Rating: gold medal
A few years ago, I discovered that I struggle with hyponatremia, a condition where my sodium levels get too low and I get sick. I would do a weekend long run and come home with stomach issues, which plagued me all day and left me feeling useless. It took a few frustrating weekends before I connected the dots. I do not have a taste for sugary drinks, so sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade don't hold much appeal for me. As a result, I've always been a big water drinker. Long run + Texas heat = high water intake. Factor in that I sweat salty and you've got a recipe for disaster. I started forcing myself to drink at least a little sports drink during and after my long runs and that seemed to solve the problem.
Of course, drinking something you really don't like is not the best long term solution. And as I've gotten into longer distances, I really didn't want to have to dedicate an entire hydration bottle to sugary sports drinks. I've tested a number of alternatives that I will review later, but it occurred to me that I could just keep it really simple. Salt packets! Why not? If I had a stomach ache from too much water, my option of first resort has always been to grab the salt shaker and pretend I'm taking a tequila shot. This could be perfect!
Last time we went to CFA, my husband grabbed a handful of the little salt packets. He's a salt junky, unlike me. I smuggled them home in my pocket so I could try them out on a long run or ride. Of course, I forgot them on my long run Thursday so they didn't get to come out to play until today when I did my long ride. I had120 minutes scheduled in the Texas heat. From the get go, my legs were tired and stiff. Busy weekends and not properly resting on rest days will do that to you. I made it about 45 minutes and decided to give the salt packet a try. I ripped the end off, shook about half the contents onto my tongue, and chased it with water. Salty, but not enough to make me gag. It was definitely tolerable and the salt dissolved quickly, which told me it would go right to work in my body versus having to dissolve in my digestive tract. I repeated with the second half of the packet and got back to pedaling.
Almost immediately, I noticed improved performance from my legs. The stiffness and fatigue dulled. Even though I was approaching the second half of my long ride, I still felt really good. If it weren't for poor shorts choice, I'd say this ride went great! I would have liked to have had a second salt packet for when I stopped at 1:30, but such is life. Salt is a winner!
Gold medal awarded for: convenience, ease of procurement, price, effectiveness
Manufacturer: earth, with a little help from Morton's
Where to Buy: literally every store you've ever been to
Price: dang near free
Utilization: hydration/electrolytes
Rating: gold medal
A few years ago, I discovered that I struggle with hyponatremia, a condition where my sodium levels get too low and I get sick. I would do a weekend long run and come home with stomach issues, which plagued me all day and left me feeling useless. It took a few frustrating weekends before I connected the dots. I do not have a taste for sugary drinks, so sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade don't hold much appeal for me. As a result, I've always been a big water drinker. Long run + Texas heat = high water intake. Factor in that I sweat salty and you've got a recipe for disaster. I started forcing myself to drink at least a little sports drink during and after my long runs and that seemed to solve the problem.
Of course, drinking something you really don't like is not the best long term solution. And as I've gotten into longer distances, I really didn't want to have to dedicate an entire hydration bottle to sugary sports drinks. I've tested a number of alternatives that I will review later, but it occurred to me that I could just keep it really simple. Salt packets! Why not? If I had a stomach ache from too much water, my option of first resort has always been to grab the salt shaker and pretend I'm taking a tequila shot. This could be perfect!
Last time we went to CFA, my husband grabbed a handful of the little salt packets. He's a salt junky, unlike me. I smuggled them home in my pocket so I could try them out on a long run or ride. Of course, I forgot them on my long run Thursday so they didn't get to come out to play until today when I did my long ride. I had120 minutes scheduled in the Texas heat. From the get go, my legs were tired and stiff. Busy weekends and not properly resting on rest days will do that to you. I made it about 45 minutes and decided to give the salt packet a try. I ripped the end off, shook about half the contents onto my tongue, and chased it with water. Salty, but not enough to make me gag. It was definitely tolerable and the salt dissolved quickly, which told me it would go right to work in my body versus having to dissolve in my digestive tract. I repeated with the second half of the packet and got back to pedaling.
Almost immediately, I noticed improved performance from my legs. The stiffness and fatigue dulled. Even though I was approaching the second half of my long ride, I still felt really good. If it weren't for poor shorts choice, I'd say this ride went great! I would have liked to have had a second salt packet for when I stopped at 1:30, but such is life. Salt is a winner!
Gold medal awarded for: convenience, ease of procurement, price, effectiveness
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