X-Training Diary: Park Ride, My Menu and Kit of the Day

Kit of the Day: Lazer Helium in Flash Flouro, XX2i France1 Eye Wear, Gore Bike Wear Countdown Lady AS Vest, Victoria Thermal Jersey and Spinnaker Capris by Terry.

RAPHA WOMEN'S 100, NJ: What a beautiful weekend! I started with a bit of cross-training on Saturday by doing some curls and chest presses on my Nordic Flex machine. Many cyclists neglect the upper arms but you do need a certain level of strength and tone for steering and quick handling.

Sunday morning started off right with a new multi grain cereal. Hodgson Mill Multigrain with milled flaxseed & soy.  It is a hot cereal and takes a little less time to cook than my Irish oatmeal.  It contains oats, wheat bran, milled flaxseed, soy grits, untoasted wheat germ and cracked whole wheat. It is SO delicious and is rich in Omega 3 oils due to the flaxseed. Complex carbohydrates like these were just what I needed for my training ride. Today, I went to my local park to avoid weekend street traffic.

My training buddy. Fully loaded Nishiki Sport Touring

A Ride in the Park
I find riding to my local park to be a cross-training adventure in itself. Once I arrived, there is a fitness trail that you can either hike or bike. It's about a 7 mile loop around the park and past meadows and marshy areas. 
The bright sunshine and blooming flowers and trees we amazing. I stayed on the main road and pulled into this bike rack here to stretch and take a few sips of water. I would have stayed longer but the wind and low temps were making it difficult to extend my training session.

My Menu for the Day
I was glad to have had the multi-grain cereal under my belt. I also had a cup of Rainbow Light's Chocolate Protein Energizer with a shot of coffee added to it. This gave me a bit more alertness and energy. I only did about 5 miles but after bucking the wind most of the time, I was a bit hungry when I got home.  Here is my menu for the day, not including dinner which will most likely be rotisserie chicken and mixed vegetables:

Chocolate milk is a great recovery drink. This is even better!

Breakfast
1 Cup Multi Grain Hot Cereal
1 tsp Butter + Canola oil
Splash of Milk

1 Cup Rainbow Light's Chocolate Protein Energizer

Lunch
15 Small Shrimp fried in Coconut Oil
1 cup mixed organic spring greens
3 marinated mushrooms
1/2 fresh avocado
1 tsp lemon juice
1/3 cup ramen noodles 

I try to keep anti-inflammatory foods like avocado & shrimp high on my training table list.

Kit of the Day
It was only about 48 degrees when I went out just before noon. Add in the wind chill factor and it felt more like 42. I prefer it a little warmer if I can get it of course but it was dry and sunny so I took a chance.  Here is my "weekend kit" which has more visibility due to the flashy green Lazer Helium helmet and white vest. My jersey and knickers are mostly black so I wanted to be sure and stand out for those Sunday drivers.

This thermal kit is good for between 44-48 degrees.

Lazer Helium Lid in Flash Flouro Yellow and XX2i France1 Eye Wear.

Terry's Victoria Jersey had a mandarin collar and is soft brush lined. Terry's Spinnaker Tights have minimum padding as they are more suited for spinning class.
With the added Gore Bike Wear Vest, I was very comfortable despite the wind. That's due in part to the built in Windstopper fabric. You want to keep your core warm.

In the 40's, I prefer full fingered gloves. These soft, fitted Pittards by Pearl Izumi are perfect and I also have a fingerless pair.  That's how much I like them! So this kit offers adequate to good comfort for between 44-48 degrees outdoors.

Last but not least, I always wear my RoadID FIXX ID tags just in case of an emergency. These go on with every kit and I pray I'll never need them.

Activewear Vests: ExOfficio Storm Logic & GBW Countdown AS Lady

Cool spring mornings call for a cozy vest to get you moving. PHOTO: ExOfficio's Storm Logic Vest in Jade, Muse Scarf in Mint by Pistil

Wow, it's still cooler than normal for this time of year in the northeast! Going forward into spring, I've found a few transitional pieces that have helped me make the temperature change. These are actually three season items everyone should have.

ExOfficio's Storm Logic Vest

Storm Logic Vest goes from winter to spring!

This is my favorite insulated vest for a lot of reasons. First off are the cozy lined pockets that zip. Often times I have my camera on board and it's just great not having to worry about it flying out during a run or hike.

Hidden Assets
The coolness of this cozy vest doesn't stop there though. Inside, you also have lined open pouches for your sunglasses, tickets and boarding pass. Zippered pockets for your cell, passport and keys (with clip).

Travel Pillow
Another feature is how it can roll up into a little travel pillow. There is a pocket in the rear of the vest so you can tuck it into itself.  Sort of like Origami! The outer shell material is made of a silky feeling polyester and is water repellent. 


GORE BIKE WEAR Cycling Vest

GBW Countdown AS Lady Vest & Terry's Victoria Thermal Jersey

As the weather gets warmer and I'm doing more aerobic activities, I find that an insulated vest like the Storm Logic to be a little too hot. That's where a cycling vest like this Gore Bike Wear -Countdown AS Lady Vest comes in. While it may not have padding and insulation, it does have Windstopper Active Shell that makes it ultralight to wear and keeps the cool air from chilling your core. This is especially helpful when you're bucking headwinds that can slice right through your clothing.

The Countdown Lady has invisible zippered pockets that I really like. The lining is mesh and continues through to the back.  This allows warmth and coverage in the front but open airy venting in the back. This is where sweat tends to build up when running or cycling. Built for road work, it has reflective piping but the white also offers added visibility. It gives me just a little extra warmth when popped over my long sleeved thermal jerseys like the Victoria by Terry shown above.  

Once I warm up, the Countdown Lady is packable enough to fit in one of my rear jersey pockets for the walk or ride. Water resistant, it will keep those April showers from chilling you down. So really there is no reason NOT to take this vest along for your morning walk, run or bicycle ride.  Follow me as I train for the Rapha Women's 100 this summer with tips, meal plans and cross training techniques to get in shape!

Gore Bike Wear's Countdown AS Lady Vest packs easily in your rear jersey pouch.