Join in on this Cyber Monday deal you can't pass up

Alpha Performance Inserts is Veteran owned and the product is American made.  

Jump in on this deal I can offer you.  Use the code "HACK30" and get 30% off your purchase. 

When you order from their website Alpha Performance Inserts, use the promo code when checking out. 

I have used these inserts in my daily walking shoes, my road running shoes along with my trail running shoes. They swap out easily, or if you don't want to do that, get yourself two pairs. 

I have also worn them in my cycling and mountain bike shoes. They feel amazing inside the show while pedaling. 

More on the insert. 

The shoe insert was made to reduce injuries and strengthen your feet. 

I initially tested and used them three weeks in every situation I could throw at them.  

After wearing them I could feel myself on the way to recovering from a terrible situation with Plantar Fasciitis. 

The ALPHA shoe inserts have made a difference. I am able to walk, hike and run with no pain during or the next day. In the first two weeks of testing the inserts I logged just over 24 miles on a treadmill. 

The ALPHA inserts come in many sizes, so check the web site for your shoe/foot size. They also are available in four different colors. Orange, grey, blue and black.  I chose orange, so a quick glance down at my shoes before putting them on, seeing and knowing with the bright orange color they are inside the shoe. 

Here is the update my video and blog. 

By the way, if you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel, please do. 

Back on track with the ALPHA from Apex Gear Co.

The Apex Gear Company is Veteran owned and the product is American made.  

The shoe insert was made to reduce injuries and strengthen your feet. 

I have tested and used them over the past three weeks.  I am on the way to recovering from a terrible situation with Plantar Fasciitis. 

The ALPHA shoe inserts have made a difference. I am able to walk, hike and run with no pain during or the next day.  The two weeks of testing these inserts I logged just over 24 miles on a treadmill. 

The ALPHA inserts come in many sizes, so check the web site for your shoe/foot size. They also are available in four different colors. Orange, grey, blue and black.  I chose orange, so a quick glance down at my shoes before putting them on,, seeing and knowing with the bright orange color they are inside the shoe. 

Here is the update my video and blog. 

By the way, if you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel, please do. 

TraxFactory’s Hot Sockee’s, Keep Your Toes and Feet Warm

Keep your toes warm inside your cycling shoes.

There is nothing worse than being cold, let alone your feet or toes. Hot Sockee’s are the answer.  They really don't take up that much room inside your shoe. Thinner than wearing an extra pair of socks and just like socks, the neoprene is washable.  I would not place in the dryer but let air dry. 

Winter rides are here and heres the perfect way to keep your toes from getting cold while out riding. 
I am not a fan of cycling shoe covers, they seem to be a hassle to put on. If you like to switch up your riding from road to mountain bike trails, you have to purchase a separate set of covers for each type of riding shoe. Not so with TraxFactory’s Hot Sockee’s. These neoprene foot/toe covers slip on over your sock, then you slide your foot into your road cycling or mountain bike shoe and your off. They allow your feet to breathe yet keep out the drafty air rushing through the front of your shoe. Order the correct size for your shoe size. They will extend from the tip of your toes to about just past your foots arch. 

currexSole insole

I have used and loved and have come to depend on these currexSoles to support and cushion my feet while both running and walking. 

Needing and wanting to increase the comfort and performance of my running shoes I have replaced the liner inside with a currexSole insole, the RunPro with high profile to be exact. The majority of shoe manufactures simply just put a liner inside, as much of what they have designed is the outer shoe. Everyone’s foot, from the bottom, to the arch to the top is all different. First off, using the proper size to fit the inside of your shoe is a must.  The toe end of the insole can be trimmed with a scissors if needed. I have found the best way to measure this is to use the liner that came in the shoe to give a good estimate of how much, if any needs to be trimmed for the currexSole insole to fit properly. The currexSole insoles are designed with dynamic arch technology, shock absorption as well as heel fit and moisture/odor control. They are not stiff like other insoles on the market.  Much research and development go into currexSole insoles. 

currexSoles

Icing Made Easy Defines the Icy Feet Cold Packs

The constant pounding, stride after stride, mile after mile, a lot of runners suffer at one time or another with plantar fasciitis. What is plantar fasciitis? It is a straining or irritation of the muscles along the bottom of the foot and arch. I know that cryotherapy or applying cold (ice) to the area will decrease the inflammation and the pain. Craig Snyder, the owner and creator of Icy Feet developed just a product to help treat plantar fasciitis.  I was given a pair of Icy Feet by Craig to try out.  Ice treatments or ice baths are very common to help recovery time, and with Icy Feet you'll be getting back on your feet faster. Simply strap on molded devices, Left foot and Right foot specific,  with their two very simple Velcro enclosures and sit back, prop your feet up and relax for the next 20 minutes. Craig mentioned to me, as we spoke on the phone, that he made the velcro straps long enough to accommodate strapping an ice pack to the top of your foot, if you are wanting to treat that area also. The raised arch and heel cup are very comfortable and places the cold treatment right where it should be. It's recommended you wear socks while wearing Icy Feet. Remember you are wanting to help the muscles on the bottom of the foot, not cause freezer burn to your skin.  Relax and raise your feet. Don't walk around wearing Icy Feet as it will damage them and is not recommended.

Now why would you be doing this you might ask?  The goal is to help the muscles, tendons, bones, nerves and all the different tissues used by your foot to recover.

Wearing Icy Feet causes your blood vessels to tighten, therefore draining the blood out of your feet.  When the time is up, your feet will begin to fill up with 'new' blood that invigorates the muscles with oxygen to help the cells function better. 

Although it is really a first-aid term R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) it also applies when recovering. 

Keep the Icy Feet conveniently stored in the freezer for use after your run or workout, or just a hard day standing on your feet.

Click the link below to find out more about Icy Feet

Icing Made Easy defines the Icy Feet cold packs

SOLE Footbeds a cure for "hot feet"

 I use SOLE footbeds to replace, literally, "the liners" shoe companies put inside their shoes. The liners in both running shoes and everyday walking shoes really provide no support I have found.  However, replacing them with SOLE footbeds provides the comfort and support your foot needs.  I replace even my cycling shoes (both road and mountain bike) with SOLE footbeds.  I used to suffer from what cyclist call "hot foot".  It was a burning pain in the ball of my foot moving towards my toes. To me it occurred on long rides or rides with a lot of climbing. The burning is really not heat but rather pressure on nerves in the foot that create a burning like sensation. Dumping or squirting water on your feet will not put the "fire" out. The sensation is caused from wearing too tight of shoe. Here are a few tips of how you can remedy the "hot foot" burning pain.
    1. Use a Thin Sport SOLE custom footbeds and/or thinner socks such as the Lightweight Sport SOLE sock.  This will give your foot more room to swell with out restriction. 
    2. Adjust your shoe straps. Keep the straps closest to your toes (near the bottom of the shoe) the loosest for more room.
    3. Sometimes re-focusing the pressure helps.  Do this by moving your cleats to the rear by as much as 8 mm which sometimes means drilling new holes in the bottom of your cycling shoe. You will want to lower your saddle about the same distance you have moved the cleat back. 
    4. With shoes coming from European manufacturers, sometimes the toe box runs small.  Look for a pair with a wide toe box and a stiff sole.

SOLE Sport Flips

So here is the low down on the SOLE Sport Flips.  Other sandals or flip flops may be comfortable for the first 20 minutes or so of wearing, but the SOLE Sport Flips are just what your feet and body are craving for.  I have enjoyed these arch supportive flip flops after long training rides or runs.  They contour to your foot, normally after wearing them for a few days. With the arch support and the contoured foot bed, you'll be walking around this summer in comfort.  I really like them after my feet have been cramped up in cycling shoes or just getting more air to my feet after running. Because the SOLE Sport Flips are molded then to your feet, don't let others wear them.  The contour of the foot bed can help alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis.

Swiftwick Socks put to the test

I have worn and tested three pairs of Swiftwick socks over the past two months, training (running and cycling) and here are my findings.  First of all, they are all great socks and are all antimicrobial.  To break it down,  here are the socks that were part of my test.  I wore them all equally.

Up first was the Performance "The Four"  (blue writing on package) -  Very light and well ventilated great compression.  This sock uses olefin an impressive fabric for wicking sweat away.
Next up was the Aspire "The Twelve"  (red writing on package) -  These were similar to the Performance in the ventilation and compression, however with these being "The Twelve"s they offered and delivered support about to my mid calf.  I only wore them while working out, but these would be great recovery socks too with the nice compression, also uses olefin an impressive fabric for wicking sweat away. 
The last of the three was the Pursuit "The Four" (green writing on package) - I need to explain first off that these were my favorite. They are made with merino wool which has great wicking properties. Unlike regular wool, merino wool is not itchy like one would think wool is,  and helps regulate temperature. Like the others, the Pursuit provided great compression support throughout.  They offered a little more cushion along the bottom of the foot but not to much to make them thick and bulky.
 
All three socks performed perfectly, no slipping or gathering and offered great compression and breatheablity.  The socks can be rolled down or cuffed if the wearer does not like to pull them all the way up. The conform to your foot giving support all around.
I look forward to wearing the Pursuit with merino wool this summer on some of the hotter rides and seeing how it performs then. The moisture wicking compression socks are made in the USA and offer the wearer a guarantee to perform to your satisfaction. 

Swiftwick Socks

Just the right amount of compression in these socks along with fast drying Olefin fiber keeping my feet very comfortable and worry free of getting blisters. The compression is not only found in the foot part of the sock, but the ankle too. The thin, not bulky feel is perfect inside my running shoes and even my cycling cleats. I used to like a thicker cushion in my running socks but those days are gone.  If you have not tried a pair, you need to.  With the holidays just around the corner, get a pair for yourself and give them away as gifts.

Dry feet are happy feet

Swiftwick makes awesome socks for keeping your feet dry no matter how long your ride or run may be.  I love the compression feel helping my feet fight fatigue.  I have begun to run through my transition from swim to bike.  For my next race, a half-iron distance I will be wearing socks on the bike, due to the distance.  A tip I do with socks make them just a bit easier to put on in transition is to wear the socks I will race in the day before and the morning of the race.  It's a trick that has worked for me, trying to keep my transitions as quick as possible.