Bells and Whistles - Safety Lights & Horns

All the Lights, Bells and Whistles to help keep you safe!

As we enter Marathon Season, many of us may be training before the sun comes up and even after it sets. While we are aware of the light restrictions, it does not keep us from running outdoors as opposed to using an indoor treadmill. Still there is a need to be both seen and heard while tripping the lights not so fantastic. I have a few suggestions for both runners, walkers and cyclists who want extra visibility and safety out there in the dark. Here is some new gear to consider this fall.

Vespertine NYC Vest

Vespertine Vests are made right in NYC and are extremely light and easy to incorporate with your current running gear. Folds into it's own little built in pouch so you can keep it with you in your bag. Easily fits over both fitness and outer-wear, i.e. bulkier coats and jackets. Gives you 360 degree reflectivity while walking, running or cycling. See them all at VespertineNYC.

Lights, Action!

Shoe Safety Clip Light - Power Spurs
Kick up and LIGHT UP your heels with these! These are very easy to use and clip securely to your running/walking or bicycle shoe heel. Choose steady green or flashing with just a press of a button.Weather resistant. I would not recommend these for use on leather running shoes as the little gripper could scratch the finish. Otherwise for most shoes these are a win. Cool runnings from www.4id.com

Heat & Sun Awareness: Upgrade Your Sunscreen

Springtime & sunnier days are just around the corner!

While we need sun protection all year round, now is the time to upgrade your solar guard.  Why? Well, the days are getting longer and brighter. That plus the warmer temps means we will be spending more time outdoors and exposing more skin to the harmful rays of the sun. While I'm not a fan of looking like a ghost, I know from walking, running and cycling that burned skin looks even worse! Still, I'm a fan of tinted moisturizers and airbrushed tans for a Victoria's Secret model glow and NO they don't tan either..

Sunscreen Issues
One of the problems I've had with sunscreens is that even the ones for the face are often greasy and cause your makeup to slide off or pill up. I hate that! I've purchased Bobbi Brown's Brightening SPF 50 UV Protective Face Base and found it to be good but at less than 2 oz in a tube, (1.7 to be exact), you'd go through it very quickly. What I like even better is G.M. Collin's High Protection Cream SPF 30.

Favorites for the road: SPF Tinted Moisturizer, Lip Moisturizer and Sunblock

High Protection Cream from G.M. Collin - Paris
This sunscreen comes in a convenient 4 oz twist dispenser topped bottle. Using natural sunscreens like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, it uniformly blocks both UVA & UVB rays by creating a gentle, transparent physical barrier. It is SO light that it doesn't mess with my makeup application. It leaves behind no white film and does not block pores. This super SPF 30 sunscreen also contains botanicals like Cassia Alata Leaf Extract to protect DNA from UV damage and antioxidants like vitamins E and C.

I wore it under my makeup while marching in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade this year and was very comfortable. My skin didn't get burned even though it was quite sunny along the parade route. High Protection Cream can be used on both the face and body. So rather than just settling for a high SPF, get sun protection that is more complete and actually good for your skin.

Get a jump on this season's best bets for solar protection and avoiding heat exhaustion at the Heat & Sun Awareness Project on Pinterest.

WildSkins Arm Warmers with a Wild Side

WildSkins Arm Warmers in Hey Hawaii add a splash of color to your darker kits.

The New York City Marathon kicks off TODAY!
Fall is here and while I do have a few long sleeved cycling jerseys, I'm not quite ready to put up the short sleeved ones yet. To extend the wear and visibility of your short sleeved cycling jerseys and running tops, consider WildSkins. Take a look at some of the stylish arm warmers worn by runners in the NYC Marathon today and you can be just as cool or actually warm!

Why WildSkins?
I consider WildSkins to be the Dior of Arm Warmers due to their beautiful design, fit and function. Each WildSkins pair has a little pocket on the wrist to store a little cash or a note for your run or ride. They effectively knock off the wind and offer solar protection as well.

Look to the left by the WildSkins logo and you'll see the hidden sleeve pocket! Spandex fabric stretches every which way.

Rev Up Your Kit
As the days are getting darker and more dreary, having arm warmers like these can give your spirits a super lift. Not only that, bright, bold colors like these help make you more visible to drivers too. If you have a dark or black top, why not add a burst of color with these crazy things? 

Be Visible
I took these Hey Hawaii Design Arm Warmers out for a test drive the over the weekend. Not only did they LOOK fantastic, people actually saw me and did not cut me off. This was despite the fact that I had no flashing headlight as it was left home on the charger.

Fashion Points
As some of you may know, I'm also a contributing editor for Lucky Magazine's Community section. I love fashion and design so I see no reason to stop when it comes to my fitness gear. It may sound a bit shallow to say but it's true that if you are dressed beautifully on your bicycle, people tend to give you more space and respect on the road. Here are some styles I've put together with some of my favorite cycling and running kits from Rudy Project, Gore Bike Wear and Bluey Australia who makes the softest Merino wool outdoor wear around.

WildSkins Orange Burst has beautiful yellow - metallic details in a swirling pattern with Rudy Project's Team Jersey. Perfect for an autumn ride!

 

WildSkins in Indie Gold. These are so beautiful and completely set off the red flatlock stitching this Outdoor 160 Merino Wool top by Bluey Australia.

 

WildSkins Hey Hawaii is paired with this Gore Bike Wear Women's Oxygen Kit featuring their amazing WindStopper fabric.

Lots of Uses
I think you get the idea! Mix or match, break up a black kit with a roaring cascade of color and metallic hues. These are also just practical to have in your backpack for hiking when the temperatures drop. Use them for mountain biking to keep your arms from getting thrashed by foliage. Runners will love how these can be peeled off once you warm up. Early morning walkers too. So many uses! Ultra lightweight and packable, there's no reason not to carry a pair or two. Visit WildSkins online to see more styles & colors.

NEW for 2014! Sketchers Nite-Owl Go-Run-Ride2 Athletic Shoes that Glow in the Dark
In addition to our all things bright and beautiful theme for fall, check out these new multi - sport athletic shoes from Sketchers. They absorb light during the day to release glow in the dark visibility for your night run, walk or bicycle ride. Full review coming up!

 

Arm Warmers c/o WildSkins Co.

Cool Runnings: Carve Designs

Carve Design's new Zipper Line Hoodie in Graphite is cool cover for hot workouts.

I really love this time of year. It's so unlike the summer heat when I have to get up before dawn to workout because it gets blazing hot by 10 am.  Usually a tank top is perfect but I want to be sure to keep my skin protected from the harmful rays of the sun.  I use sunblock but sweat and rubbing often leaves you less protected than you think.  So I've found walking, running and cycling in the hours of predawn and twilight to be my best bet at beating the the sun and heat.

Taking Cover: Carve Design's Zipper Line Hoodie

Zipper Line Hoodie & Pearl Izumi running shoes.

I don't just mist...I sweat during my workouts.  Most of my hoodies and cover ups are just too thick and heavy for any serious exercise.  That's why Carve Design's super lightweight cotton Zipper Line Hoodie was such a cool change.

Zipper Line in Thistle

Carve Designs of California specializes in surf-wear for active woman.  So they know a thing or two about staying comfortable despite the sun's heat. In a slub jersey knit, it's just the right weight with a semi fitted cut that looks feminine.  The Zipper Line Hoodie is very soft and sheer, so it lets the breezes through.  It can also be used as a beach cover.  One of the lovely accents of this piece is the contrast print lined hood.  Just taking a walk in the Zipper Line was so comfortable and NO sweat buildup underneath.  I came home refreshed, not damp from perspiration.  The full length zipper allowed me to regulate my body temperature while the cover itself gave me some sun protection.  This is where fashion meets function. 

Road ID's Firefly Supernova - visibility before dawn, after dark

See the Light: Road ID's Firefly Supernova
 
As the season heats up, you may find yourself walking, running or cycling before the sun rises or after dark.  Aside from being comfortable, the one thing you want to be out there is visible.  Walking or running near traffic can be much safer if drivers can see you.  That's why in addition to reflective panels on my athletic shoes, I would recommend clipping on a blinkie like the Road ID Firefly Supernova.

It is small so it can clip onto your wrist, hoodie, cycling jersey or helmet.  It is also VERY BRIGHT.  You can see this thing from about a mile away.  Available in clear, blue, green and red, you decide which colors to attach to what.  It uses a little watch battery that runs for about 250 hours on flashing and weighs only 1 ounce. Be sure to have a few of these on board and your Road ID Medical / Identification tags.  It could save your life.

Road ID Fixx ID Tags

Road ID's Blue Firefly Supernova wrist model.  Be seen out there!