Product: Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix
Manufacturer: Skratch Labs
Where to Buy: Skratch, Amazon, or your friendly local run/bike/tri store
Price: $2 or less
Utilization: hydration/electrolytes
Rating: gold medal
Let's just get this right out in the open: I am a salty sweater. It's the truth! I sweat and form lovely salt crystals. My sweat smells a bit like chlorine. I'm a walking freaking salt lick. Let's compound this situation with the facts that: I live in hotter-than-hell Texas, I hate most electrolyte drinks, I don't add salt to my food, I LOVE plain old water. Let's just say, if you aren't familiar with hyponatremia then read that article and avoid it at all costs.
Once I figured out what my situation was (and suffered the aforementioned hyponatremia a few weekends in a row), I bit the bullet and decided to give electrolyte replacements a chance. I tried a ton of stuff - gels, chews, beans, liquids. Gels are just ... ugh. Lukewarm pudding that tastes like air freshener. Chews are okay, but I have a sensory thing with gummy texture so one quarter of a chew lasts me an hour. Not very effective, right? Beans are okay too, just not very effective. Liquids are easy, fast, and pretty broadly available. Let's go with liquids!
I do a lot of reading and participate on numerous triathlon forums. I pay attention when people make recommendations that just "changed their life" and decide if I should give things a chance. When I feel like trying something new, I look around online for decent deals or sample opportunities. When I first checked out Skratch, it didn't seem so cost effective to ship one single serving tube. So when I went to Tru Tri Sports for packet pickup, I was elated to find boxes of Skratch single serving tubes available for purchase. I grabbed a single of Lemons + Limes Exercise Hydration Mix and the same flavor of Rescue Hydration Mix. I believe they had a few more flavors, but I'm too picky for all of that.
I first tried Skratch on a long treadmill run. The single serving packet is designed for a large water bottle. Normally I cut the powder in half, but I went full strength to give it a fair shake. The first taste was a bit sweet, which concerned me. The first ingredient is cane sugar, so sweetness is to be expected. After that, subsequent swigs were just lemony lime goodness! The flavor components are provided by legitimate lemon and lime juice, not some artificial flavoring cooked up in a lab. You can tell the difference big time! The flavor is not overpowering and remains pleasant throughout the bottle. In fact, this is the first product that I have easily consumed the entire bottle of and that speaks volumes to me.
In the end, I love Skratch Lemons + Limes. It's delicious, the single serving packs are so easy to use, and I have zero gastrointestinal issues during training and racing when using this product. I've already ordered and started sharing a case of singles!
Gold medal awarded for: convenience, flavor, effectiveness
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Product Review: 2XU Active Tri Short
Product: 2XU Active Tri Short
Manufacturer: 2XU
Where to Buy: 2XU or your friendly local triathlon store
Price: $35-70
Utilization: clothing
Rating: gold medal
When I started doing triathlons a few years ago, I wore a bathing suit for the swim and added some cheap shorts for the bike and run. Truthfully, after the disaster that was my first triathlon, I said I'd never do another! A year later, I was signed up for an Olympic to get my redemption. At that point, I accepted that some legitimate tri clothing would be smart. I bought a tri top and left it at that, swearing I'd never wear those goofy padded shorts. I don't wear cycling shorts, why would I wear tri shorts?! Ha! We know how this goes...
I made a trip to Tru Tri Sports on the recommendation of a fellow Athena. I've been burned enough buying things online that are "XL" or "2XL" but were surely cut for a child. I asked the salesperson for assistance finding any XL or 2XL tri shorts and he rather dismissively pointed me to a meager selection of 2XU products. "This is probably the only thing we have in that size." Thanks. I picked up a couple of items in each size.
Now this is key - always try on multiple products and sizes. The first item I tried was a 2XL and fit like an undersized girdle. That was disheartening. Then, I tried on the Active Tri Short in XL and they fit beautifully. I strutted around the dressing room for a bit, admiring my padded heiny, before declaring them a success.
Overall fit is great. They are compressive but not oppressive. The leg openings make a slight muffin top, but definitely nothing bad or ugly. The padding is small enough to be comfortable but large enough to be beneficial. I've raced in them several times with great comfort. The legs don't creep at all, even over my thunder thighs. I wash them on delicate or regular and hang to dry, and they haven't changed a bit in size, shape, or compression.
Gold medal awarded for: comfort, fit, compression
Manufacturer: 2XU
Where to Buy: 2XU or your friendly local triathlon store
Price: $35-70
Utilization: clothing
Rating: gold medal
When I started doing triathlons a few years ago, I wore a bathing suit for the swim and added some cheap shorts for the bike and run. Truthfully, after the disaster that was my first triathlon, I said I'd never do another! A year later, I was signed up for an Olympic to get my redemption. At that point, I accepted that some legitimate tri clothing would be smart. I bought a tri top and left it at that, swearing I'd never wear those goofy padded shorts. I don't wear cycling shorts, why would I wear tri shorts?! Ha! We know how this goes...
I made a trip to Tru Tri Sports on the recommendation of a fellow Athena. I've been burned enough buying things online that are "XL" or "2XL" but were surely cut for a child. I asked the salesperson for assistance finding any XL or 2XL tri shorts and he rather dismissively pointed me to a meager selection of 2XU products. "This is probably the only thing we have in that size." Thanks. I picked up a couple of items in each size.
Now this is key - always try on multiple products and sizes. The first item I tried was a 2XL and fit like an undersized girdle. That was disheartening. Then, I tried on the Active Tri Short in XL and they fit beautifully. I strutted around the dressing room for a bit, admiring my padded heiny, before declaring them a success.
Overall fit is great. They are compressive but not oppressive. The leg openings make a slight muffin top, but definitely nothing bad or ugly. The padding is small enough to be comfortable but large enough to be beneficial. I've raced in them several times with great comfort. The legs don't creep at all, even over my thunder thighs. I wash them on delicate or regular and hang to dry, and they haven't changed a bit in size, shape, or compression.
Gold medal awarded for: comfort, fit, compression
Product Review: 2XU Compression Shorts
Product: 2XU Compression Shorts
Manufacturer: 2XU
Where to Buy: 2XU or your fabulous local running store
Price: $65
Utilization: clothing
Rating: gold medal
I bought these shorts online after falling in love with 2XU tri shorts that I purchased at Tru Tri Sports. I have large thighs - 25" circumference and 14" inseam to knee bend - so finding shorts that accommodate girth and provide a decent amount of coverage are like unicorns. The size chart seemed similar enough, so I took a leap of faith and got the size XL compression shorts.
The shorts arrived quickly and in basic packaging. I ripped them open and gave the small appearance a sideways glance, but moved on. I'm used to running and triathlon apparel being super tight anyway, so this was to be expected. I tried them on and was immediately transformed into a super hero! The shorts are very compressive without being tight. What I mean is that I can slip into them comfortably and feel very supported, but I don't have little muffin tops at the legs.
In terms of performance, I'm very pleased with these shorts. I've worn them for everything from 45 minute to two hour runs, treadmills and on the road, moderate conditions to sweltering Texas summer heat. They stay comfortable in every single environment and help maintain muscular endurance. They do not creep up a single inch, which tends to be an issue with other shorts. There is a small waistband pocket, which I have used for a key. I've also used my RooSport pouch on these shorts with zero issues.
I've been running in these shorts for a few months now. They get washed regular or delicate cycle and hung to dry. No change in compression, size, or shape has been noticed. And I still feel like a super hero every time I slide into them!
Gold medal awarded for: comfort, fit, compression
Manufacturer: 2XU
Where to Buy: 2XU or your fabulous local running store
Price: $65
Utilization: clothing
Rating: gold medal
I bought these shorts online after falling in love with 2XU tri shorts that I purchased at Tru Tri Sports. I have large thighs - 25" circumference and 14" inseam to knee bend - so finding shorts that accommodate girth and provide a decent amount of coverage are like unicorns. The size chart seemed similar enough, so I took a leap of faith and got the size XL compression shorts.
The shorts arrived quickly and in basic packaging. I ripped them open and gave the small appearance a sideways glance, but moved on. I'm used to running and triathlon apparel being super tight anyway, so this was to be expected. I tried them on and was immediately transformed into a super hero! The shorts are very compressive without being tight. What I mean is that I can slip into them comfortably and feel very supported, but I don't have little muffin tops at the legs.
In terms of performance, I'm very pleased with these shorts. I've worn them for everything from 45 minute to two hour runs, treadmills and on the road, moderate conditions to sweltering Texas summer heat. They stay comfortable in every single environment and help maintain muscular endurance. They do not creep up a single inch, which tends to be an issue with other shorts. There is a small waistband pocket, which I have used for a key. I've also used my RooSport pouch on these shorts with zero issues.
I've been running in these shorts for a few months now. They get washed regular or delicate cycle and hung to dry. No change in compression, size, or shape has been noticed. And I still feel like a super hero every time I slide into them!
Gold medal awarded for: comfort, fit, compression
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