Liberty Sports Magazine April/May 2011 by Liberty Sports Magazine

F R E E

Spring Guide to Road and Trail Running Shoes Collegiate Cycling Piranha Sports Tri

REGIONAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sponsored Editorial

TRAINING TOOLS Is a GPS System in Your Future? Kevin Fonger

ine years ago, I received a Timex Speed + Distance GPS system as a gift. And for the first six months, it simply sat on my bookshelf collecting dust. Being a long-time runner, I was skeptical about integrating this new piece of technology into my regimen. But a year after receiving the watch, I began to train for the Los Angeles Marathon. I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to see what a GPS system could do for me.

Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS Watch

EMS Multiple Locations ems.com

First Impressions Now, I’m not one to run with headphones or other items. So wearing an arm band that houses a GPS unit took some getting used to. The first time I ran with my GPS system, I kept looking at it each minute to see how far I had gone and how fast I was running. Before using the system, I had to use a treadmill to get that information. Of course, I only jumped on the treadmill when the weather forced me to take my running indoors.

system not only helped me gauge distance, it also helped with my training runs.

Never a Dull Moment

A Coach on Your Wrist

I assumed that the new-gadget excitement would wear off over time — that my time and splits wouldn’t seem so important. Ironically, things didn’t play out quite as I expected. At the start of each run, I checked my watch for my pace. This way, I could figure out my real pace, adjust and turn on cruise control. As I progressed deeper into my marathon-training program, the distance of my long runs continued to grow. My GPS system was incredibly helpful in keeping a steady pace.

Today, most GPS systems don’t require an armmounted sensor. New technology has allowed the GPS signal to reside within the watch. New GPS watches also come with optional heart rate monitors and software that can evaluate your training progress on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Running with a GPS system literally changed the way I train. If you’re looking to add a little more motivation and structure to your training, but don’t want a full-fledged coach, take a look at some of the GPS watches on the market. You won’t be sorry.

Speed and Distance With regard to speed workouts, heading to the local high school track became a thing of the past. With a GPS system, you can run on any street or sidewalk, and know your distance and speed precisely. This sure beats having to repeatedly run the same loop around the neighborhood or track to measure general running progress. When running my out-and-backs, I was able to run close to the exact mileage I needed on the way out. I also felt more comfortable exploring on my runs since I knew exactly how far I was going. Route variation is nice every once in a while. Do you travel? Being in a new place can throw you off a little, and it’s nice to have a GPS system to measure your distance and speed. After three months of training for my first marathon, I was hooked. Running with a GPS

REI Conshohocken rei.com ABOVE: Training with a GPS system can play a vital role in accomplishing goals and achieving success on race day.

GPS watches range from $200-$400, and can be found at most specialty running stores, as well as larger sporting good stores.

Features to consider when shopping for a GPS watch: - Battery life / rechargeable - Workout memory - Heart rate monitor compatible - Sync to computer (PC and/or Mac) - Split display to show desired metrics - Interval training (variable heart rate zones) - Route capture - Waypoint capture - Altitude sensor - Cross-functionality (i.e. bike computer)

National Sporting Goods Clarks Summit nationalrunningcenter.com

Bryn Mawr Running Store Bryn Mawr brynmawrrunningco.com

Elite Runners & Walkers McKees Rocks eliterunners.com

Philadelphia Runner Philadelphia philadelphiarunner.com

City Sports Multiple Locations citysports.com

Chester County Running Store West Chester runccrs.com

The Sports Authority Multiple Locations sportsauthority.com

timex.com

FOOD & NUTRITION CONT’D

You will only benefit from the sustained energy that protein provides if you have also consumed an adequate amount of carbohydrates and essential fats. Many endurance athletes mistakenly believe that they should consume as little food as possible each day so they can become lighter and faster. The counterpoint to this school of thought is that it’s better to be lean and strong than to just be light and emaciated. Trust me, that extra strength is going to come in handy when you encounter hills, start to fatigue, and as you charge towards the finish line! So how much and how often should you consume protein? Most research recommends a range of .55 grams per pound of body weight each day for females and .8 grams per pound of body weight each day for males. For example, a 150lb athlete would require 80 to 120 grams of protein per day (150 x .55 = 80 grams for females/ 150 x .8 = 120 grams for males). Of course, this is merely an estimate, so for more specific guidance, you might want to consult with a registered dietician or nutritionist. Once you’ve determined your daily protein requirements however, you’ll want to spread those grams over 5 or 6 meals to be consumed every two to three hours with an emphasis on breakfast and even more importantly, on your post workout meal. A high quality protein shake within 30 minutes of working out, followed by a balanced meal containing whole foods within 90 minutes is ideal for optimum recovery.

Proteins are vital for maintaining body tissue. Think of all of the miles you’ve ridden, swam or run last year and you can imagine the wear and tear that your body has endured during that time. You can’t keep breaking those muscle fibers down without giving your body the adequate tools to rebuild them. You wouldn’t ignore that kind of damage to your bike and you wouldn’t do that to your car, so why would you do that to your body?

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As you incorporate more protein into your diet, make sure to stay hydrated to avoid cramping. You may also want to forgo large quantities of protein on mornings before races. For the rest of your meals, especially on training days, you should aim to incorporate all of the essential nutrients. If you want to start taking your race times to the next level this year, no longer can you simply focus on fueling the tank without first making repairs to the engine! Darrell W. Butler has trained, managed and consulted for fitness centers and media outlets around the world and is a featured writer for Performance Food Centers, an industry leader in the supply of whole-food products including natural protein and supplements. For more information visit the Darrell Butler Personal Training website at www.dbptonline.com.

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WHO CARES WHAT TIME IT IS. ™

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AN ME D, GPS ME SPEE CE. I A T P ND EAL

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G WIT H T RAT E AND BIKE ORS L ET ME TRAC THE I K NFO I NEED .

HEAR

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Learn more and join the conversation at Facebook.com/TimexSports. OFFICIAL TIMING SPONSOR

CHRIS CHRIS ©2011 Timex Group USA, Inc. TIMEX, TRIATHLON, GLOBAL TRAINER, BODYLINK, WHO CARES WHAT TIME IT IS and INDIGLO are trademarks of Timex Group B.V. and its subsidiaries. IRONMAN and M-DOT are registered trademarks of World Triathlon Corporation. SiRF and SiRF LOGO are registered trademark of SiRF Technology, Inc. SiRFstarIII is a trademark of SiRF Technology, Inc. ANT+ and the ANT+ Logo are trademarks of Dynastream Innovations, Inc.

THOMAS THOMAS TIMEX MULTISPORT ATHLETE ATHLETE

Photo by Anthony Skorochod

L O C A L P RO F I L E

YOU NEED TO DO THIS! By Adam Bowers The bright lights beaming down onto the grand stand, the roaring of the crowd, the pounding of hands on the boards, the whoosh of the bikes as they fly by – this must be the scene from a cycling track in somewhere in France. Or is it? We here in the tri-state area are lucky enough to have our own magnificent velodrome, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center (VPCC), just an hour away from Philadelphia in the little town of Trexlertown, PA. This track isn’t just your small town race circuit though. This track produced an astounding peloton of cycling superstars: 140 national champions, seven world champions, seven Olympians, and two Olympic medals – a silver and a gold. You don’t have to be a track superstar to ride on this fabled track, though. In fact, a lot of the riders that made up those previous numbers started their track career when they were first getting off of training wheels. The Valley Preferred Cycling Center has several different programs in place to encourage residents to take advantage of such a world-renowned track that exists in their own backyard. With over three decades of history and experience, these programs ensure that the participants in all programs will receive world-class training, regardless of age or ability level. Helmets and bikes are provided free of charge as well for all programs except for the PeeWee Pedalers program, which requires children bring their own bicycles. Having five different programs means there’s something for everyone, even the adults. For the youngest of the crowd, the PeeWee Pedalers program is intended for 5 to 8 year olds who are able to ride without training wheels. Over the course of five Saturday-morning classes, children are taught the basics of bicycle and helmet safety. They learn to ride through obstacles and eventually make their way to the banked surface of the track itself. The course culminates with a ride under the lights on a Friday night at one of the World Series of Bicycling events. For those too old for the PeeWee Pedalers, children ages 9 to 16 can take part in the Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League (BRL). The BRL is offered in both the spring and fall, and follows a nine-week course. 20

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Throughout the nine weeks, participants will learn track racing skills and compete against each other in four teams. At the end of the course, the top racers in each category will compete against each other at the BRL All Star Finals, which will be held on a Friday night during a World Series of Bicycling event. The most popular program, the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program, has graduated over 15,000 participants. This is the program that has graduated many of the champions that came out of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, such as Marty Nothstein, Bobby Lea, Ben Barczewski, Andy Lakatosh, the late Nicole Reinhart, and more. The Air Products program is open to anybody 5 years and older, including adults. Each session lasts four weeks and is broken down into age and skill level specific categories, so that everybody is equal. Most classes meet during the week, however, adult classes are held on weekends. Top riders from each category and class will be invited to the Air Products Finals in August, and will race against each other to claim ultimate bragging rights and the Air Products Champion jersey. Interested in track racing but don’t want to dedicate the weeks required for the Air Products program? Don’t worry, you’re covered. The Try the Track! program meets three times a season for one four hour Sunday class at a time. Try the Track! is basically a condensed version of the Air Products program. Most participants are active road riders looking for more and people who are curious about the world of track racing. Finally, if your company could use some team-building through track racing, the Corporate Challenge may be just what the HR department ordered. Teams of 6 to 8 from your company meet once a week for five weeks and learn to work together as a track race team. After the five week training period, company teams go on to compete against other companies at a World Series of Cycling event. Regardless of your age or experience level, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center offers a program that can kick-start your or your child’s possible track racing career. For more information about the Valley Preferred Cycling Center’s Community Programs, visit www.thevelodrome.com.

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TRAINING

Photos by Michelle Evans-Chase

I THINK YOU’RE GOING TO NEED A BIGGER BAG By Bruckner Chase So referencing a shark movie may not be the best way to introduce a perspective switch on open water; however if you change what you pack and how you approach the water beyond the pool you can be the shark. Whether you want a faster swim split, a new endurance challenge or a dolphin encounter before work, the source for all that and more comes from combining the best practices of pool swimmers, lifeguards, marathon swimmers, surfers and paddlers. This season find room in your swim bag for some of the following: Goggles –Maybe you set a record in the 50 free wearing Swedish goggles, but if you are heading into the ocean, go bigger. You need to see flags, buoys, boats, wildlife and waves, so look for something with an unrestricted field of vision like the new Vision XL from Barracuda or the Kayenne from Aqua Sphere.

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Fins – Take a load off your shoulders, push the pace, or hang with your faster training partners. Lifeguards do it, and so should you. Check out open water specific fins like those from DaFin used by the US Lifeguard Association. www.dafin.com Caps – If your head is comfortable, the rest of you body will be too. Wear two caps or use a thin neoprene cap under a brighter latex cap to keep your head warm. Black may look cool, but in the open water, go bright and be seen. Rescue Cans – Think of it as dragging that pool wall with you wherever you swim. Towing a rescue can makes you visible, keeps you safe and could save others as well. Confidence comes from an ability to push the pace for a few minutes and then knowing the “wall” is always six feet away for a recovery before the next set. www.swimoutlet.com

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Boards – Stand-Up Paddling, or “SUP,” is one of the fastest growing water sports in the country and can give you access to water where swimming won’t work. Prone paddling can also get you into the water with the added benefit of improving your swimming. Paddling focuses on the power part of your swimming stroke and can give you the chance to go places and distances that swimming alone may not afford. Stealing from the land based “Ride & Ties” where two runners share one horse to cover long distances faster, two swimmers and one board can do the same thing. Spend an hour or so alternating between swimming and paddling with a partner for an experience you just can’t get between lane lines. Workouts – If every open water workout you do is like your long slow distance run, then that is exactly how every open water race or triathlon is going to go. The same workout you use in the pool can work in the ocean. Replace “yards” with “stroke cycles” and don’t be afraid to swim faster. Every time your right hand hits the water is a “cycle,” or if you have the luxury of a marked open-water course, treat the distance between buoys the same way you do the walls of the pool. The bottom line is that once you leave the pool you are no longer limited by a line on the bottom. Change how think and feel about the water this year, and watch for a positive impact on land as well. Watch for more information on ocean sports and open water training online under our “Water” section at libertysportsmag.com

Fredericksburg, Va

May 15

Arlington, VA

October 30

o N U R RELAY 13.1

www.MarineMarathon.com Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

April/May 2011 25

S P O RT S M E D I C I N E

STRESS FRACTURES IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES: DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT Brad J. Bernardini, MD, FAAOS The skeletal system is an amazing feat of biological engineering. Unfortunately, like many other structures, it is also prone to breakdown and mechanical failure. Stress fractures are an unfortunate reality in the world of endurance sports, especially in the lower extremities of runners. Running can result in forces applied to the bone and joints in excess of eight times an athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body weight. Over extended periods of time, and without proper recovery between workouts, these forces can result in stress fractures, most commonly in the pelvis, leg, and foot. Many people think of bones as the passive framework of the body. In reality, bones are dynamic and constantly changing structures. On a daily basis, bones are repairing microscopic damage that occurs as the result of normal wear and tear. In an ideal situation, the damage accumulated and the repairs made balance each other out. Stress fractures result when this remodeling system becomes unbalanced. Simply put, damage outweighs repair. The precipitating factors of stress fractures are multiple, but typically result from repetitive, high-impact activities, such as running- especially when there has been a sudden increase in intensity, duration, or frequency of workouts without proper recovery. Training errors such as poor running mechanics, improper shoe selection, and muscular fatigue can also predispose a runner to fractures. Each of these factors can cause excessive mechanical forces to be concentrated at key locations in the lower extremities, thereby exceeding the stress-bearing capacity of the bone. Other factors can also predispose an athlete to stress fractures. Hormonal and nutritional imbalances are thought to be responsible for the high rate of these injuries found in female athletes. This is often referred to as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;female athlete triadâ&#x20AC;?: Eating disorder, disruption of normal menstrual cycles, and osteoporosis. In the general athletic population, the incidence of stress fractures is reported to be around 1%, although in runners it may be up to 20%. The tibia (shin) is the most commonly involved bone, while the bones of the foot represented the next most common location. Stress fractures of the hip, although uncommon, are worth 26

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S P O RT S M E D I C I N E C O N T ’ D special mention. Hip stress fractures represent a “high risk” location for this injury as it can easily progress to a complete fracture which may require surgery, potentially resulting in significant disability.

to overuse and poor recovery. In these cases, strict avoidance of impact activity, dialing back your workout schedule, and using non-impact cross-training exercises to maintain fitness is usually successful in allowing the body to heal.

Diagnosis An evaluation with a sports medicine specialist is beneficial in providing an early, accurate diagnosis, and is essential for avoiding complications and a prolonged delay of return to competition. Symptoms are generally localized to the involved bone, are aggravated by activity, and relieved by rest. Athletes typically describe a progressive increase in pain that becomes more severe and localized over time. Eventually, the pain becomes severe enough to prevent continued participation in sports. Many times the symptoms prevent the athlete from running, but will allow relatively pain free walking.

Healing time is very dependent on the bone involved, but in most cases, six weeks of activity modification is sufficient. There are now “antigravity” treadmills and aqua-therapy programs that are designed specifically for the treatment of stress fractures. Pneumatic bracing has also shown promise in returning athletes to sport faster. Additionally, some “hard to treat” fractures may benefit from electrical or ultrasound stimulation, which has been shown to speed healing by up to 20%. Very rarely do stress fractures go on to become surgical problems. However, in cases of missed diagnosis, improper treatment, or fractures involving “high risk” bones such as the hip, the complication rate may be higher.

Bone tenderness is the most obvious finding on physical examination. Superficial bones like the shin may also demonstrate local swelling or feel warm to the touch. Bones that are close to joints may demonstrate tenderness with gentle range of motion. An evaluation of limb biomechanics and gait analysis are also important in identifying any additional risk factors such as muscular imbalance, limb length discrepancy, or excessive pronation. Although a stress fracture is usually suspected after a thorough history and physical examination, imaging studies are typically required to confirm the diagnosis. Plain X-rays of the involved bone are many times negative in identifying the fracture in the first 2-4 weeks. This is because bones do not show signs of healing on an X-ray until approximately 4-6 weeks after the onset of symptoms, and even then, the findings may be very subtle. In these cases, an MRI of the involved bone will usually provide early visual evidence of the fracture. MRI’s are more sensitive in the early phases, and have the ability to show inflammation at the site of the fracture that plain x-rays cannot see. Treatment Once diagnosed, the first step in treating stress fractures is to identify the cause. Hormonal imbalances and nutritional issues must be resolved. Training and equipment errors should also be addressed. Shoe selection, training conditions, workout intensity and volume should all be analyzed by an experienced trainer or coach. Most cases are directly related 28

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In summary, stress fractures are caused by repetitive overuse that exceeds the healing ability of bone. Training errors are the most common predisposing factors, although other factors such as hormonal and nutritional imbalances, poor equipment, and biomechanical abnormalities should not be overlooked. Early diagnosis is key for a rapid return to sport, and generally treatment involves little more than activity modification. That being said, prevention is the best medicine. Give yourself adequate rest and recovery time, and listen to your body. Whatever your sport, have a great season, and stay healthy! Dr. Bernardini is one of a small number of Double Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine in the region. Additionally, he is fellowship trained specialist in Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine. His surgical specialty is arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery with an emphasis on minimally invasive soft tissue joint reconstruction and cartilage restoration in both adults and children. Non-operative sports injuries from head to toe are also treated in his daily office practice. Dr. Bernardini is a competitive Triathlete and 2010 Lake Placid Ironman finisher. He is the co-founder of the Jersey Devils Multisport Club, and has achieved distinction as a USA Triathlon Certified Level I Coach. He currently sees patients at his Vineland and Washington Township Offices, and has privileges in both the South Jersey Healthcare, and Virtua Healthcare systems. facebook.com/LibertySportsMag

Ride of Dreams

by Patrick Engleman

Want to ride to the nations capital and help out two homegrown charities at the same time? Now you have the opportunity. The second annual Ride of Dreams will take 12 students from Neighborhood Bike Works program, a few women from the Gearing-Up organization, and a few lucky adults for a 200 mile ride to Washington D.C. with a fifty mile additional tour of D.C. on the last day. The Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW) program works with youth of underserved communities in Philadelphia and Norristown to develop educational, recreational and career opportunities using the medium of the bicycle. NBW teaches students bicycle mechanic and career skills through the building and maintenance of a bike they earn with sweat equity. Gearing-Up! Serves women in transition from drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and/or homelessness by providing them with a bicycle for exercise, transportation, and personal growth. The women riding in the Ride of Dreams have earned their bike along with students from NBW and through completing the personal growth missions of the program. This ride serves as a fundraiser for NBW, but is much more than that. According to NBW Board Member Howard Hochheiser, “the ride is about the experience for the kids, and the community development along the way”. Last summer, the students rode from Philadelphia to Harrisburg and were able to raise over $11,000 dollars to help NBW. 30

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Many of the teenage members of the NBW group on this trip have never left Philadelphia or the region, so this is a brand new experience for them. The students also help to build community relationships by visiting community centers and churches along the way where they spread the good news of the NBW program and all that it does for the community. The students on the bike tour are all members of the NBW race team in conjunction with the Cadence Foundation. The students fundraise, train, and ride to get ready for this long trip. According to Gearing-Up coordinator Kristin Gavin, “…these kids really ride! The are able to put in hard daily miles with a smile on their face.” The students on the ride this year range in age from 13 through 17 years old with two program graduates joining them for the event. Besides the students riding, this ride is also a family affair. Some parents of the students provide support through driving the SAG wagon and helping the fundraising efforts of NBW. Organizers of this ride talk about the deep connection students and adults feel after completing a ride such as this. They form a great bond through not only the miles on the road, but also the pre ride planning and community outreach. Registration for an additional 6-10 spots for adults will open in late march at the rideofdreams.org website. The recommended fundraising level for an adult rider is $500. If you are not able to make the ride, donations to NBW and the ride of dreams are available on their respective websites.

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Piranha sports will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this season by increasing the cash prizes in the 12-race Greater Atlantic Multisport Series and Greater Atlantic Club Challenge to over $10,000. Along with the full adult race schedule, Piranha will be hosting the four-race Escape From School Youth Series. Thanks to Piranha’s unique scoring system, every finisher in every event is part of the greater series. Every finisher gets at least one point, and individual and club series champions will be crowned at the end of the season. There’s a lot about the Piranha series that is unique. The scoring system gives racers a sense of being a part of something greater, it creates the healthy rivalries that make us want to go faster. The club competition also creates camaraderie through competition, and the youth series exposes children to healthy activity and sportsmanship. The prize money is excellent- $500 to the winner and money for the top three with an equal payout to men and women. While most of us aren’t schlepping our carloads of equipment to races for money, it does draw better competition, which makes for a more entertaining race. Thanks to the point system, those of us who do not finish in the money still have a reason to care. Piranha has plenty of seasoned athletes show up on race day, but the series is designed to be friendly and easy for first-timers and beginners. In 2011, the long awaited “Escape from Fort Delaware” is back, scheduled for May 22. This international distance triathlon is one of the Mid-Atlantic Region’s most prestigious and unique events around with the swim “escape” from Fort Delaware situated on Pea Patch Island in the middle of the Delaware River. Swimmers make their way from the island back to the mainland, where they continue to finish their race to freedom. The Pittsburgh Triathlon, which is not a points series event, will be held on July 31, 2011. The Pittsburgh

OFFICIAL 2011 PIRANHA SPORTS RACE GUIDE Triathlon was recently voted “3rd Best Urban Triathlon on Earth” by Competitor Magazine. Pittsburgh features an international distance, sprint distance and the unique paddle-bike-run adventure race. Pittsburgh’s race promises to fill up early once again and continues to be a favorite in America’s Most Livable City. At all events, race organizers also offer free digital photos of participants that don’t say “proof ” across the image. The pictures are free for you to use. Finishers can also get technical t-shirts, running hats, and finishers medals at every event. Races in the 2011 series will sell out- They’re already filling up quickly. Athletes can register for any Piranha Sports event, as well as the Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adventure Race at www.piranha-sports.com.

Piranha Sports provides an online profile for each athlete, along with their photos and results at all Piranha Sports owned events as a free, exclusive service

Sponsors

Ever thought of Trying a Tri or Doing a Du? Look to Piranha Sports® to get you Tri-ing and Du-ing!

2011 Greater Atlantic Multisport Series® Events New Jersey Devilman® Triathlon Half Lite 50™: 0.8 Mile Swim~40.3 Mile Bike~8.8 Mile Run Sprint: 0.4 Mile Swim~20.5 Mile Bike~4 Mile Run

2011 Escape from School® Youth Series For Kids Only-Aged 7-14

Cumberland County, NJ - May 7, 2011

Indian Valley Y Youth Triathlon Age 7-10: 75 Yd Pool Swim~1 Mile Bike~0.5 Mile Run Age 11-14: 175 Yd Pool Swim~3 Mile Bike~1 Mile Run

Cascade Lake Triathlon & Duathlon Tri: 0.31 Mile Swim~15 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run Du: 1.86 Mile Run~15 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run

Escape from School® Youth Triathlon 100 Yard Swim~2.4 Mile Bike~0.4 Mile Run

Cascade Lake Park in Hampstead, MD - May 15, 2011

Escape from Fort Delaware® Triathlon 1500 Meter~40K Bike~10K Run Delaware City, DE - May 22, 2011

Harleysville, PA - May 1, 2011

Bear, DE - June 11, 2011 Bring your Moms and Dads to the Tri-It Triathlon the next day.

KAY Good Kids Triathlon 125 Yard Pool Swim~2.2 Mile Bike~0.4 Mile Run Kennett Square, PA - TDB—July 24, 2011

Independence Triathlon 1/4 Mile Swim~10 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run Lake Nockamixon State Park—Quakertown, PA - June 5, 2011

Tri-It™ Triathlon 1/4 Mile Swim~10 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run Bear, DE - June 12, 2011 A Triathlon for First Timers. Open to all levels including “regular” triathletes. Bring your kids to Escape from School Youth Tri the day before.

Diamond in the Rough® Triathlon 1 Mile Swim~27 Mile Bike~5 Mile Run Perryville, MD - July 9, 2011

Patriot’s Triathlon Half Lite 50™: 1300 Meter Swim~38 Mile Bike~7 Mile Run Sprint: 650 Meter Swim~13.5 Mile Bike~3 Mile Run Bath, PA - July 17, 2011

Lums Pond Triathlon & Duathlon Tri: 0.5 Mile Swim~19.5 Mile Bike~3 Mile Run Du: 2 Mile Run~19.5 Mile Bike~3 Mile run

Lums Pond Youth Triathlon 100 Yard Swim~2.4 Mile Bike~0.4 Mile Run Bear, DE - August 13, 2011 Bring your Moms and Dads to the Lums Pond Tri and Du the next day

Other 2011 Piranha Events Tri for Our Veterans IV—In Memory of Matt McCulley

Tri: 1/4 Mile Swim~8.3 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run Du: 2 Mile Run~8.3 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run Sea Isle City, NJ - May 28, 2011 Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adv Race Tri: 1500 Meter Swim~40K Bike~10K Run Sprint Tri: 600 Meter Swim~20K Bike~5K Run Adv: 2 Mile Paddle~20K Bike~5K Mile Run Pittsburgh, PA - July 31, 2011

Bear, DE - August 14, 2011

Bring your kids to the Lums Pond Youth Tri the day before Cannonman® Triathlon Half: 1.2 Mile Swim~54 Mile Bike~13.1 Mile Run

Sprint: 0.31 Mile Swim~10.5 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run Shawnee State Park, Bedford County, PA - August 21, 2011

Delaware Diamondman® Triathlon Half: 1.2 Mile Swim~56 Mile Bike~13.1 Mile Run Sprint: 0.6 Mile Swim~16 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run Bear, DE - September 11, 2011

Marshman™ Triathlon 1/4 Mile Swim~12.5 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run Marsh Creek State Park, Downingtown, PA - Sept. 18, 2011

Cape Henlopen Triathlon & Duathlon Tri: 1/4 Mile Swim~14 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run Du: 1.5 Mile Run~14 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run

Piranha Sports is a full Multi-Sport Event Management company. We provide Chip timing for Triathlons and Running Events; Race Directing; Online Registration, and Consulting Services. Visit www.piranha-sports.com for more information.

Lewes, DE - October 9, 2011

Visit www.piranha-sports.com frequently for updated information about our races, sponsors, and specials.

OFFICIAL 2011 PIRANHA SPORTS RACE GUIDE Cash and Prizes for 2011

Total Cash and Prizes valued at over $10,000 At each Greater Atlantic Multisport Series Event (adults only), there will be a Greater Atlantic Club Speed Challengeâ&#x201E;˘ in which the 1st place Overall Club wins $100. The scoring consists of the top 2 men and top 2 women (representing their respective club) overall individual place. The overall individual place overall is the point index. The lowest combined overall point index determines the winner. Total Cash and Prizes valued at over $10,000 Series

1st Overall Male and Female

2nd Overall Male and Female

3rd Overall Male and Female

1st Place Overall Club

2nd Place Overall Club

3rd Place Overall Club

4th Place Overall Club

5th Place Overall Club

End of Series Cash and Prizes $500 cash each

$300 cash $150 cash each each

New this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;top 5 clubs win cash.

Top Winner in each Division wins 1 free comp entry at a Series Race for 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201D;valued at $100+ each

$2,500 cash

$1,500 cash

$1,000 cash

$750 cash $500 cash

Top Winner in each Division wins Series Medal. No cash prizes for youth events. To be awarded after last Series Race (Lums Pond Youth Triathlon on 8/13/11).

Total Cash and Prizes valued at over $10,000

Ranking Point System

Race Distance (Triathlon and Duathlon are considered separate races.) Sprint

1st Overall nd

International (Olympic)

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Each individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s point value to be assigned from each Greater Atlantic Multisport Series, Escape from School Youth Series, and applied to the Greater Atlantic Club Challenge. All individual points apply towards their respective clubs in the Greater Atlantic Club Challenge. Relays do not count towards rankings. USAT and non-USAT members welcomed to compete. The Greater Atlantic Multisport Series (GAMS), Escape from School Youth Series (EFSYS), and Greater Atlantic Club Challenge (GACC) winners will be announced at the last series races, respectfully. Top 3 overall in each gender and first overall in each division win awards with the exception of EFSYS where only the first overall in each age group/division wins. Awards are given to the Top 3 overall in each gender and first overall in each division with the exception of EFSYS where only the first overall in each age group/division wins. Two requirements for awarding the winners of GAMS are as follows: Winning the division AND having finished in 4+ GAMS events. Two requirements for awarding the winners of EFSYS are as follows: Winning the division AND having finished in 2+ EFSYS Events. Need not be present to accept awards. Winner for any of the prizes mentioned on this page are responsible for any taxes, delivery, and installations that may occur. In addition, Piranha Sports, LLC and their participating sponsors are not responsible for any misprints or additional expenses related to these prizes. They also reserve the right to change rules and packages as deemed necessary. Duplication of prizes allowed in the series where applicable.

ÂŠ 2011 Piranha Sports, LLC. All Rights reserved. No part ofinformation these concepts mayour be used without written permission. Visit www.piranha-sports.com frequently for updated about races, sponsors, and specials. ÂŠ 2011 Piranha Sports, LLC. All Rights reserved. No part of these concepts may be used without written permission.

Yoga on the Steps is an outdoor interactive yoga class for people of all ages and skill levels! Join us on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art among hundreds of others in support of Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). You can help us reach our fundraising goal of $250,000 for LBBC's educational programs for women who are at all stages of breast cancer and their families. Participate as an individual or as part of a fundraising team.

PARTICIPATE CONNECT SUPPORT Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Breathe, stretch and relax at LBBC's 9th annual yoga fundraising event. Visit yogaonthesteps.org for more information and to register.

354 West Lancaster Ave., Suite 224 Haverford, PA 19041

Presented by:

Talk to someone who knows what you're feeling. Call LBBC's Survivors' Helpline: 888.753.LBBC (5222)

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SPRING 2011

SHOE GUIDE The popularity of barefoot running and minimalist footwear is on the rise. Runners and shoe companies alike are reevaluating running form and running shoes. And many shoe manufacturers have reacted by making lighter shoes. But, while lightweight running shoes are all the rage, they aren’t right for everyone. That’s why we’ve reviewed a mix of minimalist, lightweight and traditional running shoes. Remember: Your ideal shoe depends on your running style and your terrain of choice. So do your research, and make sure you try before you buy to make the most of your running adventures.

by Kevin Fonger

Brooks Trance 10 WEIGHT Men’s 11.9 oz. | Women’s 10 oz. CATEGORY Support PRICE $140

Top PIcks

brooksrunning.com The Brooks Trance 10 is a great option if you need support and want a nice, cushioned ride. Past versions of the Brooks Trance have provided a more rigid ride. But with changes and upgrades such as the injection of the Brooks DNA cushioning system, this shoe has a softer ride without sacrificed support. Brooks DNA is a gel-like material that works with all weights and foot types. It spans the entire shoe, from heel to toe. The Trance 10 midsole has a progressive diagonal roll bar that incorporates a lighter and softer EVA than previous models. Pair that with the Brooks DNA, and you get a soft ride and a supportive shoe.

SPRING 2011

New Balance Minimus MR10 WEIGHT Men’s 8.2 oz. | Women’s: 6.6 oz. CATEGORY Minimalist PRICE $100

newbalance.com Introducing the New Balance Minimus MR10. While not a barefoot running shoe, this is a great compromise between barefoot shoes and traditional running shoes. What sets this shoe apart from your standard running shoe? It’s all in the heel-to-toe drop. In the Minimus MR10, the drop goes from 11mm in the heel to 7mm in the toe—that’s a 4mm drop (the standard drop in most running shoes is 12mm from heel to toe). If you’re looking to make the transition to barefoot running or simply want to increase your running efficiency, the New Balance Minimus line may be just what the running coach ordered.

SPRING 2011

Puma Faas 500 WEIGHT Men’s 9.4 oz. | Women’s 8.9 oz. CATEGORY Neutral PRICE $100

puma.com/running The Puma Faas 500 was constructed with three categories in mind: rocker, flex and groove—all of which make up the BioRide Technology midsole. The rocker helps propel the foot in a forward motion (from heel to toe), the flex allows your foot to do a little more work with each foot strike, and the small grooves allow the shoe to contour the ground. The midsole has plenty of cushion on mid- to long-distance runs. But heavy pronators, beware. The shoe’s heel cup has no hard plastic for structure, although testers didn’t find this to be a problem while running. The rest of the shoe lacks the plastic or synthetic reinforcement that most running shoes have, but the Faas 500 held up surprisingly well. We were happy with the performance of the Puma Faas 500, and we recommend giving them a spin.

Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

SPRING 2011

April/May 2011 37

SPRING 2011

SHOE GUIDE

continued

adidas Supernova Glide 3

Nike Lunar Elite +2

WEIGHT Men’s 12.3 oz. | Women’s 10.9 oz. CATEGORY Neutral PRICE $105

WEIGHT Men’s 10 oz. | Women’s 8.2 oz. CATEGORY Neutral PRICE $100

adidas.com

nike.com

The adidas Supernova Glide 3 is a neutral trainer that packs a punch when it comes to cushioning. The shoe features adiPRENE® in the heel for ample cushioning during heel strike, and adiPRENE® + in the forefoot region to provide a responsive and smooth toe push off. These trainers are rather rigid and encourage the heel-toe transition, so they may be a great selection for runners with a high arch, or for heavier runners craving cushion with added control. The Supernova Glide 3 offers mild support for runners with slight overpronation, thanks to the three-stripe midfoot wrap and beefy midsole on the inside of the shoe.

The Nike Lunar Elite +2 is lighter, better fitting, and more flexible than its predecessor. This cushiony shoe provides moderate support through Nike’s Dynamic Support, which adjusts for each individual foot strike. It’s best for mild pronators or supinators. An ultra-light nylon mesh (called Flywire) wraps around the foot for added stability. Our testers enjoyed running in the Nike Lunar Elite +2. And we recommend them for runners looking for a lightweight trainer.

Karhu Fast2 fulcrum_ride ECCO BIOM B 2.2

WEIGHT Men’s 10 oz. | Women’s 8.1 oz. CATEGORY Performance Neutral PRICE $130

WEIGHT Men’s 12 oz. | Women’s 8.8 oz. CATEGORY Neutral PRICE $195

eccousa.com ECCO is known for making quality footwear. The BIOM B 2.2 has a tendon-like shank that spans the shoe and allows the foot to use its natural motion while running. It has a TPU/rubber outsole combined with a polyurethane midsole that gives the shoe structure and offers your foot anatomical support. The BIOM B 2.2 has a breathable mesh upper (they also offer a version made of Yak leather), which increases breathability and decreases weight. Although the BIOM B 2.2 does perform a little differently than most running shoes on the market, we don’t feel it constitutes a $195 price tag.

karhu.com The Karhu Fast2 fulcrum_ride is a performance neutral shoe designed for runners with efficient biomechanics, and features Karhu’s new mid fulcrum technology to guide the foot in a forward motion. The upper is made of a breathable mesh that’s sure to keep your foot well-ventilated and has a limited number of seams, thereby reducing shoe weight and blister potential. Except for a small patch of rubber, the toe box is made primarily of breathable mesh. We’d love to see a little more form and protection in the toe box. And while Karhu shoe technology makes sense on paper, we’re not sure the average runner will see a difference when comparing the FastÐ fulcrum_ride to other shoes on the market.

Mizuno Wave Rider 14

Asics Gel Speedstar 5

WEIGHT Men’s 10.6 oz. | Women’s 9 oz. CATEGORY Neutral PRICE $100

WEIGHT Men’s 8.9 oz. | Women’s 7.3 oz. CATEGORY Lightweight Trainer PRICE $89

mizunousa.com

asicsamerica.com

The wave technology in the Mizuno Wave Rider 14 is consistent with previous models, allowing for a smooth heel-to-toe transition for neutral runners. The addition of AP+ to the entire midsole platform provides for a more cushioned ride, yet the weight is slightly less than its predecessor. The shoe is wellventilated with a mesh outer. One of the newer technologies used in the Wave Rider 14 is the Dynamotion Fit—the padding and fabric surrounding the heel cup that keeps your foot in place while running, and keeps your heel in the shoe. We noticed a couple more changes in the Wave Rider 14. The new version has shaved off an ounce from the previous model, and testers found the toe box to be a tad narrower this time around. One of the best parts about the Mizuno Wave Rider 14 is the price. With so many shoes hitting the $150 mark, it’s nice to find a $100 shoe that doesn’t sacrifice quality.

The Asics Gel Speedstar 5 is a fast trainer for speed workouts, tempo runs and racing. The neutral shoe’s upper is made from a solid piece of polyurethane layered over mesh with hexagon-shaped cutouts. Despite the upper being 100-percent mesh, our testers didn’t find it all that breathable (even in cooler temps). These shoes have a close-to-ground feel, but still have a heel height of 21mm. The heel-to-forefoot drop is approximately 10mm, allowing for an easy heel-toe transition. The midsole features Asics’ lightest compound (Solyte EVA) for ample cushioning. The outsole is comprised of Asics’ High Abrasion Rubber in the heel region and DuraSponge in the forefoot area, creating a flexible shoe with a degree of springiness. With an $89 price tag and excellent performance, we think the Asics Gel Speedstar 5 is worth a trip to your local running store.

Neutral

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Minimalist Merrell Barefoot

Cushioning Reebok Premier Zigfly

WEIGHT Men’s 6.2 oz. | Women’s 4.7 oz. CATEGORY Minimalist PRICE $100-$110

WEIGHT Men’s 11 oz. | Women’s 9.2 oz. CATEGORY Cushioning PRICE $100

merrell.com

reebok.com

Dreaming of barefoot shoes? The Merrell Barefoot line might be just what you’re looking for. The upper is made of a synthetic material blend that’s rough to the touch, but the upper interior is extremely smooth and comfortable. This is important for long runs since nearly all barefoot shoes are designed to be worn sans socks. To combat smell, Merrell included an Aegis anti-microbial footbed. The Merrell Barefoot line offers a generous toe box and narrow heel to allow your toes to splay while keeping the heel in place. The heel-to-toe drop is 0mm. The only odd feature is the additional rubber lugs beneath the front portion of your toes. Overall, testers liked running in this shoe a couple of times a week, but weren’t ready to make the complete transition to everyday barefoot training.

Pearl Izumi Streak II

Many running shoe companies are following the less-is-more trend. But Reebok is taking a different approach with ZigTech Technology. The Reebok Premier ZigFly is plush, snug and cushiony. There’s plenty of padding around the heel cup to keep your foot secure and comfortable. The inside of the shoe is almost seamless thanks to Reebok’s SmoothFit (similar to sealing tape). The upper is made up of an airy mesh that’s well-ventilated. So, whether you’re running in cool spring temperatures or during the hot summer, your feet should stay cool. Much of the Premier ZigFly’s outsole is a slick blown rubber. Reebok has added a sticky durable carbon rubber to the outsole for traction on almost any surface. Our testers admitted they were a little skeptical about Reebok ZigTech Technology’s unconventional appearance. But they were happy with the shoe’s performance.

WEIGHT Men’s 7.9 oz. | Women’s 6.8 oz. CATEGORY Minimalist PRICE $110

K-Swiss Kwicky Blade Light

pearlizumi.com

WEIGHT Men’s 9.0 oz. | Women’s 8.0 oz. CATEGORY Stability PRICE $130

The Peal Izumi Streak II is the perfect shoe for racing, speed training, or just transitioning to a shoe with a little less material. The shoe is extremely lightweight: Pearl Izumi knocked off a whole ounce from its 2010 Streak model! Testers immediately noticed the comfort and stability of the new low-profile Streak II. The forefoot was redesigned with Energy Foam to absorb shock and return the energy back to the runner to reduce fatigue. The first couple of times testers tried the Streak II, they noticed some aches and pains they didn’t encounter in traditional running shoes. But these pains subsided with time. This everyday performance shoe doesn’t sacrifice comfort or style, and is a nice option if you want to head in the minimalist or barefoot direction.

Saucony Progrid Mirage WEIGHT Men’s 8.9 oz. | Women’s 7.9 oz. CATEGORY Minimalist PRICE $100

kswiss.com Introducing K-Swiss’ stability-specific running shoe with a triathlon focus. The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade Light has five drainage holes in the bottom of the shoe to keep water from building up. To prevent water from entering the shoe, there’s an Ion Hydro Phobic Mask that’s water-resistant. It does a great job at keeping small doses of water out. Since many triathletes prefer to run sockless, the K-Swiss Kwicky Blade Light has heat-welded seems to prevent friction points—thereby reducing blister possibility. These shoes feel light on your feet, comfortable and stable. If you’re a triathlete looking for some of the latest and greatest shoe technology, take a look at Kwicky Blade Light by K-Swiss.

Stability

saucony.com With its minimalist design, the Saucony Progrid Mirage is a nice option for speed workouts or those looking to shave off a little shoe weight. The shoe provides comfort and mild stability for those looking for a neutral to mild-pronation running shoe. The outsole is made of a blown-rubber material that’s lightweight, flexible and cushioned. The XT-900 carbon rubber outsole offers good traction without sacrificing durability. And the memory-foam heel pods provide heel pockets for a snug, comfortable fit that keeps your heel in place for a secure ride and blister prevention. Testers enjoyed the Progrid Mirage on short- to middle-distance runs, but found the shoe lacking on long training runs.

For more information

about

the shoes included in this guide, or to find the model that is best suited to your needs, visit your local specialty running store.

2011 TRAIL

SHOE GUIDE As the days grow longer and the trails dry out, it’s time to lace up your trail shoes again. There’s just something about running on trails. It may take a little extra time to get there, but it’s almost always worth the wait. We’ve seen a few different trends among trail running shoes for spring 2011. Many shoe manufacturers are shaving weight off their trail shoes. And there’s a growing trend in hybrid road/trail running shoes and trail running shoes with added stability. As trail running grows and runners change the way they run, manufacturers will continue to respond to customer request. And trail running shoes will continue to evolve.

by Kevin Fonger

Brooks Cascadia 6 WEIGHT Men’s 11.2 oz. | Women’s 9.3 oz. PRICE $110

Top PIcks

brooksrunning.com Cascadia lovers, rejoice! Brooks has come out with its sixth version of the Cascadia and nailed it. The Brooks Cascadia is a favorite among many trail runners, so Brooks has to be careful with changes. Testers noticed the updated Cascadia 6 version has Brooks DNA from heel to toe. With Brooks DNA spanning the entire midsole, the Cascadia 6 offers a fluid and responsive ride. The shoe comes with bi-directional lugs that allow the shoe to grip going uphill, downhill, or from side to side. The toe box of the Cascadia 6 has a light rubber covering that helps keep water and mud out, while providing a bit of a toe guard. To accommodate runners with different sized feet, there is an adjustable piece of fabric on the upper that allows the lacing to expand and contract as needed. Overall, testers were extremely happy with the new Brooks Cascadia 6. We highly suggest it for faithful Cascadia lovers and those looking for a change.

Salomon XR Crossmax WEIGHT Men’s 11.4 oz. | Women’s 9.3 oz. PRICE $130

salomon.com Known for its solid line of trail running shoes, Salomon has come out with a hybrid trail running shoe that works on road and trail. Of course, a shoe that works well on pavement is typically not going to perform great on super technical trails. But if you know that before you make your purchase, you won’t be disappointed with the Salomon XR Crossmax. To adjust to running on hard concrete, Salomon has given the XR Crossmax a softer midsole. This is where setting appropriate expectations comes into play. A softer ride won’t always perform well on technical trails. But if you only run into a few rocks and ruts along the way, you should be in good shape. The outsole has a semi-aggressive lug system; to give the shoe a smooth road ride, Salomon couldn’t make the lugs too burly. To help the XR Crossmax adjust to different forefoot widths, Salomon equipped the outer with SensiFLEX — a rubberlike material that helps give the shoe some form, and also flexes as your foot expands on longer runs.

La Sportiva Crosslite 2.0 WEIGHT Men’s 10.4 oz. | Women’s 8.3 oz. PRICE $100

sportiva.com If you’re into running technical trails with rock, ruts, mud, ice, snow, or other gnarly obstacles, La Sportiva’s Crosslite 2.0 may be a gift straight from heaven. One of the features that sets the Crosslite 2.0 apart from many other trail running shoes on the market is its lug system. These lugs provide amazing traction on technical terrain. Testers tried to find terrain in the Rocky Mountains that would give this shoe a challenge, but couldn’t. The Crosslite 2.0 provided great stability and traction in snow, ice, mud, rocks, etc. The upper is made of a tightly woven mesh that keeps pretty much all debris out, while still allowing for breathability. To prevent dirt and debris from getting in near the tongue, La Sportiva used a flexible fabric that covers up to the top two lacing holes. The midsole of the La Sportiva Crosslite 2.0 is best for neutral runners, as there is no posting in this shoe. To allow for a small amount of stability, the shoes uses a small piece of hard plastic that wraps the shoe from the back of the heel to the midfoot.

Columbia Ravenous Stability Omni-Tech WEIGHT Men’s 12.4 oz. | Women’s 10.8 oz. PRICE $110

columbia.com

An expansion of its ever-popular Ravenous trail running shoe, Columbia introduces the Did you like the Ravenous, but want a tad more stability? Columbia has responded to your request, and also added a waterproof layer. Testers found the shoe to have a ride similar to its neutral counterpart, but thought the Ravenous Stability was a little heavier and definitely offered more stability. The primary reason for the added weight is the waterproof layer called Omni-Tech. The stability comes from a denser EVA that keeps your foot from rolling in (for those with pronation problems). For traction, the Ravenous Stability has a multi-directional lug pattern that kept testers on their feet no matter what terrain they encountered. While testers had high hopes for the Ravenous Stability with Omni-Tech, they weren’t entirely thrilled with the changes to the Ravenous.

Montrail Rogue Racer WEIGHT Men’s 8.8 oz. | Women’s 7.4 oz. PRICE $110

montrail.com

Patagonia Specter WEIGHT Men’s 11.1 oz. | Women’s 8.6 oz. PRICE $130

patagonia.com

Continuing with the Patagonia tradition of simple styling and technical features, Patagonia presents the Specter trail running shoe. Although the Specter might look a little basic as far as its midsole and outer goes, don’t let that fool you. The technical features are there. The midsole of the Patagonia Specter is made of 20-percent recycled EVA and is 25 percent lighter than standard EVA. To keep rocks from pushing through the forefront EVA, there is a shock absorption plate that takes the brunt of the blow on rocky technical trails. The upper is made of 100-percent recycled polyester moisture-wicking mesh for breathability, and synthetic leather for form and durability. Along the inside of the mesh lining, there are fabric bands that give the upper additional structure. We give the green light to check out the Patagonia Specter.

Presenting the Montrail Rogue Racer, a lightweight trail running shoe that’s best for trail runners looking to shave weight and stay on less technical terrain. The Rogue Racer has a micro three-point lug system that helps shave weight, but sacrifices a bit of traction. This shoe comes with a lightweight shank that provides some foot protection. And, while testers did feel rocks from time to time, that’s to be expected with a lightweight trail running shoe. Product testers liked the look and feel of the Rogue Racer, but they felt it lacked enough traction to feel secure and stable on loose dirt.

Saucony Progrid Peregrine WEIGHT Men’s 9.1 oz. / Women’s 8.2 oz. PRICE $90 saucony.com

New Balance 915 WEIGHT Men’s 12.5 oz. | Women’s 9.1 oz. PRICE $125

newbalance.com

The New Balance 915 is a low-profile stability trail running shoe that’s excellent on fire roads or rocky, rutty technical terrain. New Balance’s Stabilcore puts this one in the stability category for trail shoes, and offers stiffer posting than traditional trail running shoes. But both neutral and pronating runners thought the shoe performed well. Looking for a low-cut running shoe? The 915 is just that. The heel cup stays low on your ankle, giving your foot a good sense of the terrain. And the tread system on the New Balance 915 gets the job done on pretty much every surface. To keep rocks from penetrating the midsole, New Balance used a reinforced plastic plate that works well on rocky technical trails. Testers would like to see a beefier toe guard. But, overall, the New Balance 915 is a good performer with a little added stability.

The Peregrine is an excellent choice for trail running enthusiasts who think less is more. It’s built on the same last as the popular Kinvara road running shoe, and features a 4mm heel drop. The multi-directional sticky lug pattern provided plenty of grip for product testers on technical and non-technical trails. And the Peregrine’s minimalist shoe design makes it ideal for light-onthe-feet types who like to hop from rock to rock on technical terrain. The low-profile design also features memory foam heel pods for customized cushioning. Although testers said the shoe wasn’t super cushiony, they also said it had a little more cushion than other minimalist shoes on the market. And while the shoe was well received by lighter weight runners, heavier runners wanted a little more support and cushioning.

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April/May 2011 43

philly phlyer

Bringing the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference to Philly by Joe Kopena

March saw the sixth edition of the annual Philly Phlyer collegiate cycling race in Philadelphia as week three of the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC) 2011 spring road racing season, organized by the cycling teams of Drexel University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania. The event featured its now classic circuit race and team time trial in West Fairmount Park, as well as a new, wildly successful criterium on the Temple University campus, all made possible by support from Temple University, Breakaway Bikes, Stuart Leon Bicycle Crash Law, and Trophy Bikes.

Early in the planning process, Joe Wentzell, owner and head coach of Breakaway Bikes and strong supporter of the Temple and UPenn teams, pitched a proposal to host the weekend's criterium on Temple's campus. Also highly invested in that idea was Glenn Eck, Grounds Superintendent of Temple University and member of Temple Cycling. Although hesitant to set aside the low cost, highly exciting and challenging Philadelphia Naval Yard course the Phlyer established in 2010, the teams committed to moving the race if feasible in order to gain significant university support and an exciting downtown venue.

With most of the longstanding organizational core unavailable for the first time, the possibility existed that the 2011 edition would not live up to the race's exceptionally high standard of planning and execution. However, all three teams pulled together in a true joint effort with many new leaders stepping forward. Among those were Charles Rumford (Drexel) as lead promoter organizing the entire effort; Matt Furlow (UPenn) and Ross Marklein (UPenn) in the critical role of course marshal coordinators; Sean Butler (Temple) and Charlie Zamastil (Temple) as criterium contacts; Tim Manzella (Drexel) managing finances; Anthony Altimore (UPenn) arranging host housing; and Brendan Diener (Drexel) and Jay Gurcsik (Temple) overseeing course setup and control for both days.

Placed directly in the heart of campus around Main Square, the proposed course featured a lengthy 1.1 miles of downtown, urban racing, posing a number of challenges. However, together, Wentzell and Eck were able to leverage the Bike Temple campus cycling advocacy coalition and assemble widespread support. Temple University's strong commitment to promoting bicycle use on campus enabled them to gather the necessary political and financial support for closing the roads and clearing parked vehicles to make the new course viable.

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Come race day, nature blessed those efforts with a slight chill but sunshine and clear skies, a far cry from the feared rain or snow. Racers from almost fifty schools descended on

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Chris Hamlin (UVM), Charlie Zamastil (Temple), and Garrett Olson (Villanova) lead the Men's A crit up the front stretch. Photo by Rob Brothers

Philadelphia for the event, spanning the entire Eastern Conference range from Delaware to Maine, as well as a number of out-of-conference teams from Maryland and Virgina. The final count was 380 student competitors, below average for the Phlyer but in line with season participation dampened by the long, snow filled winter of limited riding. Last minute good weather and the Phlyer's ever-growing reputation, however, spurred non-collegiate entries, with almost 150 local racers in the open team time trial and Men's category 3/4 circuit and criterium races. In addition, another 40 cyclists competed in the second Bromption Folding Bicycle National Championship, organized by Trophy Bikes as a one-lap race of the circuit course. Following an intensive week long effort to sweep away the winter's debris and grit and a successful, months-long push to enlist the substantial numbers of course marshals required by the ambitious 6.2+ mile time trial and circuit courses, riders in Saturday's events were treated to an excellent day of racing on Fairmount Park's beautiful roads around Memorial Hall, Martin Luther King Drive, and Strawberry Mansion Bridge. The eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s execution was exceptional and featured a notably low number of flats and crashes on the courseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great combination of technical corners, climbs, and high speed sections.

Local racer highlights included Franklin & Marshall College from Lancaster, PA, stunning the field in the Men's A team time trial, besting the elite time trial specialists of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University by a mere two seconds. Tri State Velo also nabbed first place in the open team time trial over a deep field of 17 local clubs. Both the Men's and Women's B circuit races were won by Shippensburg University from central Pennsylvania and Millersville University from Lancaster, PA. The very competitive Men's 3/4 circuit race of over 75 starters was won in a hotly contested field sprint by Mark Flis of Human Zoom. Finally, Aaron Ritz of Breakawaybikes.com/iFractal won the Brompton Folding Bicycle National Championship for the second year in a row. Complementing a fantastic Saturday, Sunday's inaugural Temple University criterium was also a resounding success. An extraordinary effort from Temple University police and towing cleared more than 65 cars off the course in the predawn hours before the race. Temple grounds crews then immediately swept the course in rapid but intense fashion to provide a completely clean, wide open course just in time. Despite the appearance of simplicity, the new campus criterium produced uniformly excellent racing. High speeds and slight but deceptive inclines combined with sharp 90

Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

April/May 2011 45

Author Joe Kopena goes over the rules before the start of the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s field. Photo by Robert Muller

degree corners to produce highly dynamic racing, with a number of significant breakaways in each race. Local racer highlights included Bucknell University from central Pennsylvania winning the Women's B race, while Max Korus of the University of Pennsylvania made his debut for the season as the defending 2010 ECCC champion and won the Men's A criterium in a close field sprint ahead of Robert Abramo from Villanova University in third. Jimmy Guardino from Breakawaybikes.com/iFractal sealed his biggest win yet, taking the Men's 3/4 in a decisive solo breakaway. For the third week in a row Pennsylvania State University won the weekend overall, solidifying their lead in the 2011 ECCC standings. In addition to a fantastic course, the new Temple criterium proved an excellent venue, with many riders and spectators watching. Breakaway Bike's Temple campus shop trailer did brisk service all day providing free fixes, while Richie's Deli in the course interior literally sold out. Bike Temple and Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia stands also attracted steady attention for their cycling advocacy programs. With so much excellent racing and activity, this year's Philly Phlyer was one of the best editions in a growing history of great events. The extraordinary debut of the Temple campus criterium only cemented the event's position as a leader in amateur race promotion in this region, having now pioneered a number of highly successful and ambitious courses in and around Philadelphia. Charles Rumford (Drexel), the lead race promoter. Photo by Rob Brothers

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Photo by Rob Brothers

by Joe Kopena

Part of USA Cycling's Collegiate program, the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC) encompasses all schools from Delaware to Maine and is the leader of the eleven regional conferences. With nearly seventy schools and a thousand students competing each year in road, mountain bike, track, and cyclocross, the ECCC has by far the most riders and extensive schedule of events, consistently holding 24% of the roughly 4200 USA Cycling Collegiate licenses sold annually, and racing every weekend in March and April and September to December. The ECCC also hosts the largest collegiate races, many of which are large by any race standards. The annual Columbia University Grant's Tomb criterium in New York City routinely boasts 600 or more collegiate and non-collegiate racers. The largest collegiate fields ever held were also both in the ECCC, with the 2007 Boston Beanpot and Philly Phlyer hosting over 525 students, in addition to noncollegiate racers. The conference also has substantial representation on the USA Cycling Collegiate Board of Trustees, establishing national collegiate directions. Many rules, policies, and initiatives that begin in the ECCC eventually become national standards, such as the recent restriction against aero equipment to lower team and rider costs. Much of the ECCC's steady growth and development comes from that commitment to innovation and positive change in cycling. As a sign of this, the previous president and current vice president of USA Cycling's Board of Directors, Mark Abramson, hails from the ECCC, first as a rider from Tufts University, then as conference director. One critical development pioneered in the ECCC is its Introduction to Bicycle Racing category, which features a unique format with half an hour of pre-race drills or discussions, followed by half a race held under controlled, coached conditions, and concluded by a second half held as a traditional race but with coaches monitoring safety. This structure guarantees safe, educational, accessible first race experiences for new riders and has been a remarkable success, greatly reducing the learning curve and boosting rider safety and quality. Another important aspect of the conference is its focus on

ensuring high quality, equal opportunities for women racers. Women make up 20--25% of ECCC road race weekends, well above national averages, with each weekend typically hosting 75--100 competitors across its four womensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; categories. In 2010, the conference also expanded its Women's Intro category to welcome new non-collegiate women racers as part of its continuing efforts to grow all of women's cycling. All of that activity is rooted in the collegiate cycling mission of developing team oriented, low cost bicycle racing for students of all riding abilities. Each racer in the Eastern Conference is a full time student, from wide-eyed freshmen to veteran graduate students, ranging from complete beginners to seasoned elite riders. Current top women's rider Anna McLoon, for example, balances racing and volunteering in the ECCC alongside professional racing as well as completing her PhD in microbiology from Harvard University. The conference also highly values leadership development: Every team is organized as a club sport and student run, as are all of the conference's road and mountain bike events. The ECCC's excellent promoters routinely put on some of the most ambitious events in the region under extremely tight budgets; registration fees are capped at just $15. Similarly, all teams must organize and fundraise to manage significant travel logistics and expenses; most spend two nights away and drive ten hours or more on average each weekend. That collegiate approach to management also extends to conference leadership, all of whom are volunteers. Conference Director Joe Kopena is a computer science PhD student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Assistant Director Caitlin Thompson teaches mathematics at the Science Leadership Academy public high school in Philadelphia. Assistant Director and Mountain Bike Season Coordinator Ian Sullivan is a full time student at the Vermont Law School. Road Season Coordinator Alan Atwood is widely known in the region for his extensive officiating and road, track, and cyclocross race promotion. More information on the conference is available on its website: collegiatecycling.org/eccc

Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

April/May 2011 47

If you build it they will come. The phrase is ripped right off the silver screen, but appies directly to the Ray’s Mountain Bike Park. If you travel in the mountain bike circles, you would have heard of this magical place in a far off but not so magical land of Cleveland, OH. Ray’s bike park is that- It is just magical. The former WWII parachute warehouse was purchased by long-time mountain biker Ray Petro and turned into a one hundred thousand square foot mountain biking palace. This warehouse, complete with a jump room, foam pit, pump track, cross country loop, skinnies, and drops also offers riders the chance to advance their skill with leveled rooms for all types of riders.

one room with half pipe style ramps and a foam pit while the other room has more of a street feel. Interlaced through the park is a jump line that has a half bowl turnaround point that is fifteen feet in the air! With riders skying into this section and then making the large bermed turn you will find many spectators hang out there and just watch everyone ride. There is an entirely separate room of the park, which is a large jump room. The jumps almost totally fill the room, with some of them causing a rider to skim the ceiling. There is a steep drop-in ramp to make sure you have the speed to get through any of the three available lines. The last part of the facility is the cross-country loop, which will make any rider love life. You think that you can’t get a good cross-country ride indoors? You have not ridden this course. A few turns of this will feel like an hour or two out in the woods. The temperature change, challenging terrain, leg-busting climbs, twists, and turns make you fully rely on your senses.

The beginner room is a great place to start a warm up with skinnies to practice on that are only a few inches off the ground. The room also has some ramps and obstacles that will still give you a thrill, but will keep you close to the ground. There is even a decent climb-to and drop-in from the ceiling! Part of the cross-country loop also comes through the beginner room.

When you are whipped and cannot ride any longer, Ray’s has a lounge area with a full shop, fireplaces, and a DIY tool stand.

The larger room is split off into an intermediate section with higher, more complicated skinnies, a pump track, and a jump line that will keep you entertained all day long. The other parts of the main room are the expert skinnies and obstacles complete with teeter totters, sliding ramps, rock gardens, and drops that will make any rider think twice about the waiver they signed. The last two parts of the main room consists of

The park is not just for hucksters and everyone there is generally very relaxed. The park does get busy mid day on the weekends, but that makes for a perfect rest time. The park has pad, helmet, bike, and even GO Pro camera rentals. Twoday weekend passes are $40, which gets you over 12 hours of ride time each day. For a seven-hour car ride, you get something pretty good!

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS SPONSORED BY

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The Performance Lab, Powered By Rothman Institute visit www.theperformancelabnj.com ADVENTURE RACING EVENTS April 4/16 The Savage Adventure Race. PA. goalsara.org 4/17 The Classic Harley-Davidson Cushion Peak Adventure Race. PA. makebreak.com

4/23 Easter Egg Enduro. PA. fastforwardracingproductions.com May 5/1 Andrew Mein’s Excellent Adventure at Granogue. DE. masuperseries.com 5/1 Michaux Maximus. PA. gettysburgbmx.ipower.com/michaux 5/1 Wawayanda Spring Cleaning. NJ. h2hrace.com

4/30 Metro Dash. NJ. metrodash.com

5/7 On the Rocks at French Creek. PA. masuperseries.com

4/30 Yough Xtreme A.R. PA. americanadventuresports.com

5/22 Greenbrier Challenge MTB Race. MD. potomacvelo.com

May 5/14 The Cradle of Liberty. PA. goalsara.org 5/14 Jerry Hanclich Pinelands Triple. NJ. shorecycleclub.org

5/29-6/4 The Transylvania Epic. PA. tsepic.com Cycling - Road

CYCLING

Ongoing Feb-Dec. Advanced Performance Cycling Classes. Narberth, PA. toddparkertrainingprograms.com

EVENTS

Feb-Dec. Bike King Monday Night Ride. bikeking.com

Cycling - Mountain and Cross

Feb-Dec. Bike King Thursday Night Cycling Basics. bikeking.com

Ongoing Feb-Dec. Bikesport Wednesday Evening Dinner Ride. 5:30 PM. Lower Perkiomen Valley Park, Oaks, PA. bikesportbikes.com Feb-Dec. Bikesport Mountain Bike Ride. Sun, 9:00 AM. Green Lane (Knight Road) parking lot. PA. bikesportbikes.com Feb-Dec. Keswick Cycle Sunday Morning Mountain Bike Rides. Valley Green Inn in the Wissahickon Park. PA. keswickcycle.com April 4/2 PAValleys.com MASS Team Relay PA. PA. masuperseries.com 4/10 Bike Line Race at Fair Hill. MD. masuperseries.com 4/16 PMBA’s 5th Annual Rally in the Valley. PA. phillymtb.org 4/16 Tour de Tykes. PA. masuperseries.com 4/16 Chester County Bicycles Grand Opening Mountain Bike Ride. PA. ccbicycles.com

Feb-Oct. Bikesport Fast-paced Road Bike Ride. Sun 9 AM bikesportbikes.com

Dec-Jan. Highroad Cycles Group Rides. Sat 9 AM. Doylestown and Wayne. PA. highroadcycles.com

4/17 Girls with Gears: A Women's Cycling Event. PA. carolforheart.org

Apr-Dec. Thursday Night Training Series. lehighwheelmen.org

4/23 Farmersville Road Race. PA. proamcycling.com

Feb-Oct. Northwest Philly Rides: Start times vary. Sat & Sun. Northwest Philly. phillybikeclub.org

4/23 Fleche Buffoon. PA. flechebuffoon.com

May-Sep. Tuesday Night 24-7 Fitness Pro-AM Series. Tues, 7:30 PM Valley Preferred Cycling Center. thevelodrome.com

4/23 Princeton 200k. NJ. njrando.com 4/30 State Police Benefit Bicycle Ride. PA. pspbenefitride.com 4/30-5/1 Tour de Ephrata Stage Race. PA. roadcyclingleague.com

May-Sep. World Series of Bicycling Friday Night Pro Racing. Valley Preferred Cycling Center. thevelodrome.com

May 5/7 Cadence EP Group Ride. PA. cadencecycling.com

Jun-Aug. Saturday Masters and Rookies Series. Valley Preferred Cycling Center. thevelodrome.com

5/7 Valley Preferred Cycling Spring Flea Market. PA. thevelodrome.com

April 4/2 Cadence EP Group Ride. PA. cadencecycling.com 4/2 Fools Classic. PA. foolsclassic.com

4/3 Cranbury 200k. NJ. njrando.com

Feb-Dec. Bikesport Friday Morning Road Bike Ride for Women. Fri 10 AM. bikesportbikes.com

4/14-17 Cadence's West Virginia Team Cycling Camp. WV. cadencecycling.com

Feb-Dec. High Roads Tuesday Evening Ride. Tues, 5:30 pm. Wayne and Doylestown stores. highroadcycles.com

4/2 Salisbury Road Race. PA. proamcycling.com

Feb-Dec. Bikesport Free Fix-a-flat Clinic. 1st Sat, 9:30 AM. bikesportbikes.com

4/9 Martins Corner Road Race. NJ. roadcyclingleague.com

5/7 Turkey Hill. PA. pacycling.org

5/13-15 Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's Spring-n2-Cycling Weekend. PA. phillybikeclub.org 5/14 Dan Spencer Memorial Road Race. PA. pacycling.org 5/14 Need To Feed Bike Ride. PA. cpwchurch.org 5/14 Princeton 300k. NJ. njrando.com 5/14 Smoketown Airport Criterium. PA. pa.christiancycling.com

Feb-Dec. Keswick Cycle Cherry Hill Road Ride. Sat. 7:45. NJ. www.keswickcycle.com Feb-Dec. Cadence EP Group Ride. Sat. Cadence Cycling, Philadelphia, PA. cadencecycling.com Feb-Dec. Cadence Group Ride. 1st Sat. Cadence Cycling & Multisport, Philadelphia, PA. cadencecycling.com Feb-Dec. D&Q Tuesday Evening Ride. Cherry Hill, NJ. dandq.com Feb-Dec. The Harrisburg Bicycle Club. Sat & Sun 8 AM. Sun 1:00 and 1:30 PM harrisburgbicycleclub.org

Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

April/May 2011 51

Fast Forward Racing Productions 2011 Season Calendar

5/14 Tour De Cure Newark. NJ. tour.diabetes.org 5/15 Bike MS Crankin for Cure. DE. bikeded.nationalmssociety.org 5/18 2011 Ride of Silence Philadelphia. PA. rideofsilence.org

4/17 Riverwinds Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike & Kids Race. NJ. imathlete.com/events/RiverWindsTriathlon2011 4/17 Upper Main Line YMCA Triathlon. PA. umly.org/tri

5/18 2011 Ride of Silence Trappe. PA. bikesportbikes.com

Michaux Half and Full Marathon Trail Run

May 5/1 Bassman Half Distance Triathlon. NJ. citytri.com

5/18-22 Cadence's Tour of California Camp. CA. cadencecycling.com

Iron Cross Training Camp

5/1 Bassman Sprint Distance Triathlon. NJ. citytri.com

5/20-22 Wilmington Grand Prix. DE. wilmgrandprix.com

5/1 Indian Valley Y Youth Triathlon. PA. piranha-sports.com

Oct 22-23 Rockville Bridge CX Classic Festival

5/21 75 Miles of Mon-Tour 2011. PA. montour75.com

5/1 Nanticoke River Swim & Triathlon. MD. nanticokeriverswimandtri.com

Oct 23

Rockville Bridge 5k

5/21 Bike MS Coast the Coast Ride. NJ. bikenjm.nationalMSsociety.org

5/7 LCCM Duathlon. PA. lccm.us/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.duathlon

Dec 24

Christmas Cross

5/21 Oxford Road Race. PA. roadcyclingleague.com

5/7 NJ Devilman Triathlon. NJ. piranha-sports.com

5/22 Bike MS Coast the Coast Ride. NJ. bikenjm.nationalMSsociety.org

5/7-8 Spring Poconos Triathlon Camp: Racing Technique & Strength. PA. cadencecycling.com

Apr 23

Easter Egg Enduro

Jun 12 Sep 9-11

www.fastforwardracingproductions.com

5/22 Bloomsburg Town Park Criterium. PA. pacycling.org 5/22 Jersey Shore Time Trial. NJ. jsmultisport.com 5/27 Manville Madness. PA. tourofsomerville.org 5/28 Hightstown 400k. NJ. njrando.com 5/28 NEPA Tunkhannock Criterium. PA. pacycling.org

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5/14 Tri Rock Annapolis. MD. trirock.competitor.com 5/14-15 Jersey Shore Kick-off Sprint Triathlon. NJ. jsmultisport.com 5/15 Cascade Lake Triathlon & Duathlon. MD. piranha-sports.com

5/28 Saturday Classic. NJ. tourofsomerville.org

5/15 Patanella's King of the Hill Off Road Triathlon/Duathlon. NJ. greenbrookracing.com

5/29 NEPA Clarks Summit Criterium. PA. pacycling.org

5/15 Red Bank Triathlon and Aquabike. NJ. raceforum.com/RedBank

5/29 Sunday's Bound Brook Criterium. NJ. tourofsomerville.org

5/21 Got the Nerve Triathlon. PA. getupandmove.org

5/30 Monday's Tour of Somerville. NJ. tourofsomerville.org

5/21-22 Jerseyman Triathlon Festival. NJ. paceracing.org

MULTISPORT (TRIATHLON AND DUATHLON) EVENTS Ongoing Feb-Dec. Mid-Atlantic Multisport Triathlon 101 Class. Sundays 8:30-10:00am. www.midatlanticmultisport.com

G? G? NIN WIN? N RU RO-ING I TR

4/9 Doylestown Duathlon. PA. doylestowndu.com

Feb-Dec. Mid-Atlantic Multisport Ladies Night Indoor Cycling Class. Mon, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Upper Main Line YMCA www.midatlanticmultisport.com

5/22 Escape from Fort Delaware Triathlon. DE. piranha-sports.com 5/22 KidzTri3 Youth Triathlon Series. PA. kidztri3.com 5/25 Mid-Atlantic Multisport Open Water Swim Clinic. PA. midatlanticmultisport.com 5/27 Lake Placid Training Camp. NY. toddwileysports.com 5/28 Hammonton Recreation Department Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon NJ. dqtridu.com 5/28 Tri for Our Veterans IV NJ. piranha-sports.com 5/30 Cheap, Fast & Not-So-Easy Sprint Triathlon. NJ. jsmultisport.com

Feb-Dec. Triathlon Swim Skills Training. Wed, 9:30 - 10:30 AM. Upper Main Line YMCA www.midatlanticmultisport.com

10% off your meal when you show your number on race day! Located at the 20 mile marker of the Philadelphia Marathon

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Feb-Dec. Mid-Atlantic Multisport Class: Triathlon Swimming. Thurs, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Upper Main Line YMCA www.midatlanticmultisport.com April 4/10 Tri for Life. PA. hempfieldtriclub.blogspot.com/p/tri-forlife.html

There are many more rides and races with details online at libertysportsmag.com

4/17 Hibernia Off-Road Duathlon. PA. mid-atlanticevents.com

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4/9 Inaugural Coach Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation 5k run/walk. PA. races2run.com

RUNNING

4/2 Brave the Race 5k/10k. PA. thebraverace.com

EVENTS

4/2 Inaugural Optimum Health Group 5k. DE. races2run.com

Ongoing

4/2 Kutztown Fool's Run. PA. kutztownfoolsrun.com

4/9 Ridley Run. PA. cyedc.org

Feb-Dec. Jenkintown Running Co. Group Run. Wed, 6:00 PM. Jenkintown, PA. jenkrun.com

4/2 Lost Brook Trail Race. NJ. lostbrookrun.com

4/9 Stroehmann Bakeries Walk/Run Against Hunger. PA. hungercoalition.org

4/2 Pump & Run. NJ. hobokenpumpandrun.com

4/9 Trot for Trykes 10k. PA. cindymiles.com

4/2 Tyler Arboretum 10k Trail Run. PA. tylertrailrun.com

4/10 2nd Annual Prompt & Play 5k run walk. DE. races2run.com

Feb-Dec. Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club Run. Wed, 6:00 PM. Locations vary. pagodapacers.com

4/3 2011 Kevin Cain Make My Day 5k. PA. kevincain.org

4/10 3rd Annual Run Over Violence 5k. NJ. riderrunners.webs.com

4/3 April Fools' Run. NJ. acmarathon.org

Feb-Dec. PCVRC Wednesday Evening Run. Wed, 6:00 PM. Delcastle Rec. pcvrc.com

4/3 Bucks County Half Marathon. PA. buckscountymarathon.com

4/10 3rd Annual UNIVEST CAPITAL Inc 5K. PA. uc5k.com

Feb-Dec. Manayunk Running Club. Tues & Thurs, 6:30 PM. Bryn Mawr Running Company. Manayunk, PA. manayunkrunningclub.com

Feb-Dec. Philadelphia Runner Group Run Thurs, 6:00 PM. Philadelphia Runner. www.philadelphiarunner.com Feb-Dec. South Philly Striders Running Club. Tues & Thurs, 6:00 AM. Genoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steaks. southphillystriders.com

4/3 Inaugural Back on Your Feet 5k. DE. races2run.com 4/6 2nd DVRTF One Step at a Time 5k. DE. races2run.com

4/7 Inaugural Thin Mint 5k. DE. races2run.com

April 4/1 First Annual Manayunk Fools Run. NJ. manayunkfoolsrun.com

4/9 Essential2Life 5k. NJ. oymp.net/Raceinfo/Essential.htm

4/2 13th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K. NJ. oymp.net 4/2 9th Connie Dietrich Memorial 5k & Kiddie Run. DE. races2run.com

4/10 7th Annual Amy's Fund 5K Run & Fun Walk for Cervical Cancer. PA. amysfund.org 4/10 Five & Dime 5 Mile & 10 Mile race. PA. pretzelcitysports.com

4/9 15th Annual Gloucester Twp Scholarship Run-2011. NJ. lin-mark.com

4/9 Garden Spot Village 2011 Marathon. PA. GardenSpotVillageMarathon.org

4/10 4th Annual Cheltenham Phys Ed 5kThe Run for Jake. PA. runforjake.com

4/10 Emmaus 4 Mile Classic. PA. lvrr.org

4/7 2nd No Heart Left Behind. DE. races2run.com

Feb-Dec. The North Face Trail Run. Thurs, 6:00 PM. Valley Forge National Park. TNFKingofPrussiaStore@vfc.com

4/9 Inaugural Race Judicata 5k run walk. DE. races2run.com

4/10 Legs Against Arms 5K. PA. legsagainstarms.org

4/16 2011 5K Run for Clean Air. PA. 5KRunforCleanAir.org 4/16 29th Flower Market 5k run walk. DE. races2run.com 4/16 2nd Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma 5k Run/Walk & One mile fun walk. DE. races2run.com 4/16 7th Henry C. Conrad School of Science 5k. DE. races2run.com 4/16 9th Annual Red Cross Walk and Run to Save Lives. PA. redcross-philly.org 4/16 Asbury Park Half Marathon. NJ. runapalooza.org 4/16 BPW Wellness 5k Run/Walk. PA. pretzelcitysports.com 4/16 Gener8tion Run. PA. generationrun.com 4/16 Jersey Shore Relay Marathon. NJ. runapalooza.org 4/17 14th Annual Miles for Matheny 5k. NJ. milesformatheny.org 4/17 2nd Annual Race to Give Back 5k. DE. races2run.com 4/17 Hibernia 5k Trail Run. PA. midatlanticevents.com 4/17 Sweat For a Net 5K Run. NJ. sweatforanet.com

4/10 MAPS Walk & Seashore Gardens Living Center 5K Run. NJ. seashoregardens.org

4/17 Unite Half Marathon. NJ. unite.cgiracing.com

4/10 RACC 5k Run. PA. pretzelcitysports.com

4/17 Valley Forge Revolutionary 5 Mile Run. PA. revolutionaryrun.org

4/14 11th Annual ThinkFirst 5K Run/Walk & Children's 1K Fun Run. DE. christianacare.org

4/21 Third Thirsty Thursday Evening 5k. PA. pretzelcitysports.com

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-AY T H 0HILADELPHIA !REA * UNE T H 7ILMINGTON !REA * UNE T H *ERSEY 3HORE * UL Y T H *ERSEY 3HORE 3EPT T H 0HILADELPHIA !REA -I D !T L ANT I C -UL T I S POR T C OAC HES WI L L DEMONS T R AT E KEY OPEN WAT ER S WI MMI NG S KI L L S AND PR OVI DE YOU WI T H PL ENT Y OF T I ME T O PR AC T I C E C OUR S E S I GHT I NG

T UR NI NG AR OUND BUOYS

DR AF T I NG AND MAS S S T AR T S 9OU WI L L AL S O L EAR N S T R AT EGI ES F OR DEAL I NG WI T H PR E R AC E J I T T ER S

POS I T I ONI NG YOUR S EL F AT T HE S T AR T OF A R AC E

S WI MMI NG I N A WET S UI T AND R EMAI NI NG C AL M I N T HE WAT ER %AC H C L I NI C WI L L BE F OL L OWED BY OPT I ONAL MI L E

MI L E AND MI L E R AC E S I MU L AT I ONS WHER E YOU WI L L HAVE T HE OPPOR T UNI T Y T O PR AC T I C E EVER YT HI NG YOU L EAR NED

7 7 7 - )$!4,! . 4)#- 5 ,4)30/ 24 #/ - \ Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

April/May 2011 53

4/23 22nd Ronald McDonald House of DE. 5k. DE. races2run.com

5/1 Gettysburg North-South Marathon. PA. gettysburgnorthsouthmarathon.com

5/13-15 3 Days at the Fair. NJ. njtrailseries.com

5/21 Xterra Trail Run Pocono Series Race #2. PA. wilkesbarreracing.com

4/23 4th Annual NBD 5K Run For Life Benefitting SIDS. NJ. NBD5K.com

5/1 New Jersey Marathon and Festival. NJ. njmarathon.org

5/14 Broad Street ReRun 5 Mile Run. PA. broadstreetrerun.com

5/22 11th Annual Run For Rachel. NJ. oymp.net

4/23 Mt Penn Mudfest 15k Trail Run. PA. pretzelcitysports.com

5/1 St. Luke's Half Marathon, 5K, 1.5 Mile Fun Walk, & Kid's Race. PA. lehighvalleyhalfmarathon.com

5/14 Dark & Dirty 6.66 Mile Nighttime Trail Run. PA. pretzelcitysports.com

5/22 3rd Race For A Better Delaware First In Service 5k. DE. races2run.com

5/14 Need to Feed 5k. PA. cpwchurch.org/need-to-feed-event/need-tofeed-5k

5/22 9th Annual Run for ALD. NJ. run4ald.org

4/23 Narberth Cystic Fibrosis Run. PA. narberthrun.com 4/28 UCP Life Without Limits 5K Walk/Run PA. ucpphila.org

5/4 Kick-Off for Galloway Half & Full Marathon Training Program. PA. jeffgalloway.com

4/29-30 American Odyssey Relay PA. americanodysseyrelay.com

5/7 15th Race Against Domestic Violence 5k. DE. races2run.com

4/30 2ndAnnual Covenant Wealth Strategies Run Walk 5k for Kids DE. races2run.com

5/7 5K Run/Walk for a Cure of Childhood Alzheimer's. PA. raceforadam.org

4/30 5th Annual Pat Pack 5k. PA. patpack5k.org

5/7 Delaware County Suicide Prevention & Awareness 5k Run & Walk. PA. delcosuicideprevention.org

4/30 Muddy Marathon. NJ. njtrailseries.com 4/30 Run for Aaron 5k and 1 Mile Walk. NJ. runforaaron.com 4/30 Trail Triple Crown 10k Run. DE. triplecrowntrailrun.org

5/7 Frederick Running Festival. MD. frederickrunfest.com 5/7 Freedom Valley Survive the 5k Run. PA. pretzelcitysports.com 5/7 Rivertown Marathon & Half Marathon. PA. rtmarathon.com

May 5/1 12th Annual Our House 5-Milr. NJ. oymp.net

5/7 The First Tee of Delaware Pre Mother's Day 5K for Healthy Families. DE. races2run.com

5/1 7th DOCF Teal Ribbon 5K Run/Walk to Fight Ovarian Cancer 5k. DE. races2run.com

5/7 The Town Square 5k. PA. pretzelcitysports.com

5/1 Blue Cross Broad Street Run. PA. broadstreetrun.com 5/1 Freedom Steps 5k. PA. freedomsteps5k.com

5/7 University City 5K Run. PA. drexel.edu/alumni/weekend_5k.asp 5/7 Xterra Trail Run Pocono Series Race #1. PA. wilkesbarreracing.com 5/8 3rd Mom's on a Mission 5k. DE. races2run.com

5/15 Haddon Glen Swim Club 5k. NJ. lmsports.com 5/15 2011 Delaware Marathon. DE. delawaremarathon.org 5/15 Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon & 5k. PA. pretzelcitysports.com 5/15 Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk. PA. charityrun2011.com 5/15 Pocono Marathon. PA. poconomarathon.org

5/22 Dirty German Endurance Fest. PA. uberendurancesports.com 5/22 Hair of the Dog 5K. NJ. hairofthedog5k.com 5/22 ODDyssey Half Marathon. PA. ODDysseyHalfMarathon.com 5/25 XTERRA Warwick Park Ruckus 5K Trail Run. PA. mid-atlanticevents.com 5/28 3rd Run for Kay's Kamp 5k. DE. races2run.com

5/18 5th Kids Kickin' Cancer 5k run walk. DE. races2run.com

5/28 Coopersburg 5K and Kids' Fun Run, Health & Wellness Expo. PA. coopersburg.org

5/19 Third Thirsty Thursday Evening 5k. PA. pretzelcitysports.com

5/29 Charlie Horse Half Marathon Trail Race. PA. pagodapacers.com

5/21 10th Annual Victory Run. PA. berwynveteransmemorial.com

5/29 MASSER 5 Miler. DE. seashorestriders.com

5/21 3rd Annual Hear We Go 5K Run/Walk. DE. medsci.udel.edu/cpass/events.html

5/30 2nd Annual Run for the Ages 5k. DE. races2run.com

5/21 5th ANNUAL WALK n' ROLL. NJ. oymp.net 5/21 Freedom from Seizures 5k run walk. DE. races2run.com 5/21 Pennsylvania Wilds Relay. PA. pawildsrelay.com

5/31 Tuesday in the Park 5k Series. PA. runccrs.com

Find more runs at libertysportsmag.com

Bridgeton Exchange Club Sunset Challenge

4BUVSEBZ +VMZ t #SJEHFUPO Awards Post Race Pasta Lunch Olympic 1 mile S, 25 mile B, 10k R Sprint ¼ mile S, 13 mile B, 5k R Du 2 mile R, 13 mile B, 5k R Aqua bike Olympic & Sprint

Prize $ $ Olympic – 1st, 2nd, 3rd Sprint – 1st, 2nd, 3rd Du – 1st, 2nd, 3rd

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CHOICE GEAR

Fi'zi:k Cyrano Seatpost By Laurence Kelly Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really no great reason to get into a discussion over a seatpost. It could be machined really well, and end up beautiful for the care that went into it. Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light, and absorbs vibration. Any way you look at it, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not talking about the sexiest part of a bike. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a seatpost. Does it hold my saddle up? Check. Will it stay in one piece when my skinny butt lands on it? Check. Does the color accent the highlights on my gorgeous steed? Check. This is how I thought until I got the Fi'zi:k Cyrano post into my hands. This little baby has a mount that makes me want to buy new saddles, just so I can mount them. It features a wheel you can hand crank for a quick mount. Once you figure out where you want it, bust out your allen wrench and make a commitment. Oh, I think my saddle is a third of a millimeter too far forward, better adjust it. Nope thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not it, better adjust it. This comes from somebody that hates fooling around with saddles. Hates it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather practice multiplication problems in the rain while listening to Kid â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;N Play. Other features, like the height marker ring, the ability to mount standard 7mm round rails as well as rails with oval cross section up to 10.3mm height, are great; but the quick mounting wins in my book. Oh, and this seatpost is damn sexy. www.fizik.com

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Carb BOOM By Nathan Baker There are a lot of energy gels out there. A lot. Most of them do what they claim. Most of them are edible, but also far from delectable. No energy gel is going to change the world, and if you find one that does, you’ll probably find the WADA on your doorstep in no time. In most regards, Carb BOOM is just another sports gel. I’ll be honest. It costs the same as the others. It works as well as the others. It won’t give me Ryan Hall speed or a Macca tan. It tastes good, but I won’t serve it to my family at our annual Baker Family Banjo & Lebanon Balogna Weekend. It doesn’t come in any awesome flavors like Peanut Butter Bacon or Bacon Bacon, but the flavors it does come in- Strawberry Kiwi, Apple Cinnamon, and a few others that would work just as well as scented candles- are certainly palatable. So Carb BOOM isn’t so noteworthy as a revolution- moreover, it is noteworthy as a devolution. Carb BOOM does the same job as everybody else, but with a much simpler, devolved ingredient list, which includes real fruit purees and no refined sugars or artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. Thanks to the simple approach to ingredients, Carb BOOM has become wildly popular among athletes who get stomach issues from the other popular gels. That’s where the stuff really shines. If you are an athlete whose stomach is sensitive to the other energy gels on the market, you should take an honest look at this stuff. It works, it tastes decent, and it may not upset your stomach. It is also naturally gluten-free and vegan, and each packet has only 2-4 grams of simple sugars. Carb BOOM isn’t going to change the world, but for the hundreds of thousands of athletes with upset stomachs full of energy gels, it may make reaching the finish line a little more enjoyable. www.carbboom.com

Kryptonite Skins By Laurence Kelly If you have ever noticed a fixie secured by a small, orange and black lock, you can probably bet it was the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-5. This 5-inch shackle u-lock has been the gold standard for bike messengers for some time. That’s with good reasonThe lock is tough as nails, yet light as a feather. Throw it in your belt, and head out for a beer, you’ll forget it’s there. Put it in your shoulder bag, and go for some groceries, you’ll love the space it doesn’t take up. The Mini-5 includes three keys (one doubles a flashlight), and a frame mount. Kryptonite is offering a new twist on this old favorite. Skins! That’s right, stop accidentally grabbing your roommate's lock, only to be in a jam when you get to your chosen parking meter. Now you can personalize your lock. Make it one color, two-tone, striped or anything in between. The Color Skin Kit includes shackle and crossbar covers along with dustcover parts. They are offered in five colors - pink, purple, blue, red and white. Go ahead, decorate your lock for your favorite holiday, we won’t judge. www.kryptonite.com

Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

April/May 2011 57

CHOICE GEAR

2011 Raleigh Prestige By Adam Bowers

Five years ago if you were to tell me I’d be reviewing a $3,000 Raleigh bike, I’d say you were out of your mind. A $3,000 Trek, Cannondale, or Specialized – sure, those are definitely something I could wrap my mind around. But a Raleigh – for 3 grand? – no way. Well, I’m writing this review a changed man. This is more than just another bike review; this is a history lesson as well. I can now tell you why a $3,000 Raleigh bike is completely worth it. Raleigh’s history is quite a confusing one – many mergers, name changes, and brand acquisitions. This is perhaps why my and others’ first impression of Raleigh bikes is that Raleigh bikes are just mass produced big-box store bikes. And in reality, that is sort of the truth. As it turns out, the Raleigh brand name was purchased by Huffy in 1982 (yes, THAT Huffy), and this is why most of us just toss Raleigh off as a non-competitor. Before this little experiment with Huffy, though, Raleighs were being ridden to victory in international races, including the Team TI-Raleigh victory at the Tour de France of 1980. The name deal with Huffy expired in 1985, and in the years following to 2001, Raleigh underwent even more brand acquisitions and sellings. This, however, is only from an American standpoint. You see - up until recently, Raleigh had two different markets: America and the rest of the world. While Americans were getting subpar bicycles branded as Raleighs, the rest of the world was getting the “real deal” from Raleigh – the high-end bikes that were handmade in the UK and the lower end but still quality bikes from the Far East. In 2001 the parent company of Raleigh, Derby International, went bankrupt. Alan Finden-Crofts purchased several of their assets including the Raleigh brand, and in 2002 the new and improved Raleigh emerged. It is from this new and improved Raleigh that bikes similar to the Trek Madone and Cannondale Supersix began emerging - the Competition, Prestige, and Team. It takes only one look at the “HM2 High Modulus Monocoque Carbon” frame, the basis for these three bikes, to know that Raleigh means some serious business. The head tube and down 58

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tube meet in a ridiculously sharp angle and the seat tube is slanted way back over the drive train. These bikes are clearly not meant for a leisurely cruise down into the city; no, these bikes are meant to go fast. When I got my hands on a Prestige, that is exactly what I did. I went fast. Very, very, fast. I’d be lying if I said the ride was comfortable – it wasn’t. It wasn’t painfully uncomfortable but this certainly wasn’t the most enjoyable ride I’ve ever had. Then again, this bike wasn’t designed for joy rides. What was a joy, however, was the ability to hammer like crazy on the cranks and have every ounce of my energy transferred to the wheels via the massive BB30 bottom bracket. From a standstill, I was able to rocket to full speed with relative ease. Having a SRAM Force drive train certainly didn’t take away from the bike’s potential, either. The only part that wasn’t Force on the bike was the brake set, which was Rival – according to Raleigh, they used the money saved to use in other more important matters such as fame development. Really, though, the difference is unnoticeable; the Rival brakes have just as much stopping power as the Force brakes and they weigh only 7 grams more. The Prestige is equipped with Mavic Aksiums, the same wheels found on the lower priced Competition. Now don’t get me wrong, Aksiums are not bad wheels. They’re fantastic training and racing wheels. There are some lighter and flashier wheels out there, but, once again, Raleigh had a reason for putting Aksiums on the Prestige. Most people who buy race bikes don’t use the stock wheels; generally speaking, wheels are one of the first things to get upgraded. So Raleigh figured why bother putting higher price wheels on the bike and raising the overall price when the Aksiums are great wheels that will probably just be replaced on race day anyway. The bottom line is this: if you want a bike that has a rich history that was perhaps bit marred in the 80s and 90s (and hey, who’s history wasn’t?), then the Raleigh Prestige is a sure hit. It isn’t just another Trek or Cannondale, and you’ll definitely stand out in the bike crowd. So is a $3000 Raleigh worth it? In one resounding word: yes. For Raleigh’s complete bike lineup, visit www.raleighusa.com.

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DIOS ARTIST STU onth $ 100 per m

RMILL at The PAPE 215.687.8391

Pool-Mate

By Stephen Brown If you are anything like me, counting swim strokes can become quite an effort. As you become fatigued and bored, your mind wanders, and the next thing you know you have lost total recall of your lap count. What you need is a personal coach strolling the pool deck, keeping you honest and keeping your count. Or, what you need is the Pool-Mate by Swimovate. Pool-Mate is a fully automatic lap and stroke counter for swimmers which will work with all pool lengths, all swim strokes, and all swim levels, with virtually no calibration. The Pool-Mate will display lap count, time, average strokes per lap, speed, distance, calories, and efficiency, all completely automatically. The watch also stores workout details in a large memory for recall and analysis. I tested Pool-Mate in a couple of different types of swim sets and workouts and was impressed with the accuracy that it tracked. Another plus was how easy it was to set my watch and go, and the pause feature added the flexibility of briefly grabbing my deck side water bottle without losing any data. Pool-Mate also serves as a fully functional watch and chronograph to meet most of your racing and training needs. The Pro package also includes the ability to download your data into your computer via USB port to track and monitor your workouts. Swimovate was founded in November 2007 by triathletes in the United Kingdom, developing innovative, affordable electronic training products for sports. For more details visit them at www.swimovate.com.

Your Local Guide to Cycling, Running and Triathlon

April/May 2011 59

CHOICE GEAR

Sugoi Hydrolite Jacket and RSE Jersey By Nathan Baker Ten years ago I fell into a job at Downhill From Here, a new local bike shop in Palmyra, PA. I had no clue what I was doing. None of us did. We weren’t qualified to make any decisions of any importance- we were the crowd that rode in cutoff Army pants and sleeveless Weezer shirts. We didn’t know how to buy clothes for ourselves, let alone an entire bike shop. I once walked in on my boss, a little Pennsylvania Dutch dude named Bo who slept at the shop, selling a pair of bikes to a young couple early in the morning before going to the trouble to put his pants on. We were those guys. When we finally caved in and started carrying clothes, our decision was 100% based on the fact that we liked the Sugoi rep, a tall, humble guy named Shawn Withers. We knew enough to know we knew nothing about clothing, so we put our faith in a rep we liked. It has been ten years. I don’t know if Shawn still works at Sugoi. I have long since moved on through half a dozen new jobs in half a dozen new cities. Bo doesn’t sleep on the shop floor anymore. But of the three Sugoi pieces I bought ten years ago, I still have all three, and I still use them all regularly. Recently two new Sugoi pieces came across my desk for review. Before I tried either of them on, I knew what I had to say. In the new pieces- a cycling top and a light rain jacket- there are ten years of new materials and methods, but the quality remains the same. I picked up the RSE Jersey first because it was the prettiest. I’m not ashamed, I like pretty things. The cycling jersey oozes quality- from

the moment you pick it up, you know it is a serious cycling garment. The seams are flat-stitched, it has a seriously slim fit, and the sleeve and hem have a dramatic 4cm compression cuff for all-day comfort. The jersey is made with Sugoi’s Gobi fabric, which has a light feel and excellent moisture-transfer properties, as well as an SPF of 50. The Gobi fabric feels like a light mesh, but is not see-through. The fabric’s breathability makes this a great jersey for stuffy indoor cycling classes as well as hot outdoor riding. The zipper runs the full length of the jersey, also ideal for the hottest conditions. The styling is subtle and timeless, which is good, because you’re going to have this piece for a long time. The RSE only falls short at the zipper. It doesn’t have a locking zipper, which I’ve come to expect on a $120 jersey. Locking zippers aren’t important to everybody, but they are to me. Beyond the zipper, it’s a very high quality piece, which looks great, has quality to last years, and is worth the price tag. A few days later I ran in the HydroLite jacket in an afternoon rain shower. Sugoi claims the HydroLite material becomes waterproof when it comes in contact with water. I’ll have to take their word for it, but the jacket did keep me dry on my run. My biggest problem with waterproof jackets stems from my own body heat. My body’s engine runs hot, it always has. When I wear a waterproof layer, I always end up soaked in my own sweat anyway, rendering the jacket pointless. The HydroLite’s best feature seemed to be its ability to ventilate my body’s excessive heat. Granted, I still got pretty warm, but between the HydroLite fabric and the huge mesh vents in the underarms, it was the first time I ever felt like there was a benefit to wearing a rain layer. The HydroLite also boasts plenty of reflective piping and enough packability to stuff the jacket into your back jersey pocket. Sugoi pitches the HydroLite as a cycling or running piece, and it will work for both. As a cycling garment, the butt flap (the one that protects you from the water kicked up off your rear tire) is a little short, but still very functional. If it were any longer, it would look ridiculous and penguin-like on a runner. Like the RSE Jersey, the HydroLite Jacket retails for $120. I’ve come to accept that good cycling apparel is not cheap. The Sugoi garments are not cheap, but they’re high quality and worth the cost. That, and I always liked Shawn. www.sugoi.com

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REWARD For Reader Feedback

REWARD FOR READER FEEDBACK We want to hear from you! We ask for feedback from our readers every year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and we maintain that Liberty Sports Magazine is YOUR magazine. We want to cover the stories and topics that interest you. The feedback we have received from people across the Northwest has helped us continue to shape our magazine to better serve your needs and interests.

ZYM

By Patrick Engleman Chemicals, gels, and other unnatural foods were not generally part of my riding or training regimen- I am more of a banana and peanut butter kind of guy. I have found a few of the products out there that I like, and these tablets from ZYM seem like they may make it into the rotation this season. Each of the 10 tablets packs between 4 and 7 calories with 1 gram of sugar and 1 gram of carbohydrates, which is slightly less than the Camelback Elixir that I have used before. Endurance tablets like this have often left me with distended belly syndrome due to the amount of sodium bicarbonate in them. The same compound that made your seventh grade volcano â&#x20AC;&#x153;eruptâ&#x20AC;? is not what you are looking for 12 miles into a 24-hour race, or at any time, for that matter. The ZYM tabs seemed like they had a bit less sodium bicarbonate than the comparable tablets I have used. As far as the flavor goes, they passed the test. They had a flavor that would keep your attention when you took a swig of it, but not distract you with a film or an aftertaste while completing your event. My wife even tried it at spinning class, and said that the flavor was good, and she is repulsed by most â&#x20AC;&#x153;endurance food.â&#x20AC;? Speaking from a cyclist and chemist experience, you need to keep the lid tight on the resealable, water resistant container because any moisture that creeps in will cause the tablets to start to break down. At approximately $0.89 for each tab, they are slightly more expensive than the competition, but a difference of $0.06 a tab probably doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter as long as your stomach feels good through your activity and you avoid the bonk. One great benefit to these tablets is that you could bring them on out to your activity and drop them in on the course. Try doing that with a powder! I look forward to testing out some ZYM product this season when the temperatures and distances require an endurance tablet. www.gozym.com

Our friends at Rudy Project have been kind enough to help us out with this special offer once again for 2011. If we select your idea as a topic to be published in Liberty Sports Magazine, you will receive your choice of either the new pair of Prestige Erik Zabel Special Edition sunglasses ($175 MSRP) or a Rudy Project Cycling Kit (jersey and shorts; $170 MSRP). Just email your idea to info@ libertysportsmag.com Learn more about Rudy Project Special Offers. To see their complete award-winning product lineup or find a dealer near you, visit www.e-rudy.com.

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April/May 2011 61

CHOICE GEAR

Platypus SoftBottle By Adam Bowers The first thing I noticed about the water bottles from Platypus Hydration is that they’re really not bottles - they reminded me more of IV bags than anything else. They’re rigid enough to stand up on their own, but they can be rolled up, folded, and crushed, and still return to their original form. It’s because of this innovative take on the standard bottle that really sets Platypus water bottles apart from the rest of the hydration crowd. Running with a water bottle before was kind of a nuisance - after the bottle was empty, it was still kind of heavy. My Platypus water bottle, however, weighs 80% less than the standard water bottle. Even better, when I was done with it, I just rolled it up and shoved it in one of my pockets. When I didn’t have pockets in my running shorts, I was able to roll the bottle up tight and small enough to just run with it in my fist. Another great thing about Platypus water bottles is that they can double as a backpack hydration system. Screw one of Platypus’s own drinking tubes onto the bottle instead of a cap and, voila, instant hydration pack. Then just stuff this bottle into a backpack and you have hands free hydration. All of the Platypus water bottles are BPA free and made in the USA. Platypus offers bottles in different types and sizes: the Softbottle, which comes in .5 liter and 1 liter sizes, the 2 liter Platy Bottle, and the 1 liter plusBottle. Each bottle is compatible with all of their accessories including a variety of caps and drinking tubes. The bottles range from $8 to $15, and you can find more information about the bottles at cascadedesigns.com/platypus.

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