My Gear

Here is a list of my gear that I use:

Shoes:   Montrail Sabino

After blowing out my Montrail Badrocks, I decided to choose a more rugged trail shoe but didn't want something bulky.  I came across the Montrail Sabino and haven't looked back since.  Shoe weighs in at 12.8 oz and has a three quarter length rock plate in the soles to help protect the bottom of the foot.  The shoe has a nice 19mm heel with 9mm toe which provides a low center of gravity that is vital during trail running because it give you a lower center of gravity and helps stability on rocky terrain.  The position of the lugs on the bottom of the shoe really help in gripping while running up and down hill.  There is also a toe bumper to help save toenails!!  Check out iRunFar's video review for more specs

Sunglasses:  Julbo Dust

Dust is designed for mountain biking and outdoor racing enthusiasts. A snug fit on the face is ensured with grip nose and grip tech temples. The slim and flexible frame can be slipped comfortably under a hat or helmet. The wide field of vision is combined with excellent venting thanks to the technical size of the suspended lenses..  For more information check out their website.

Socks:  Drymax

These are the only socks I wear.  I have only had occasional blisters when I have worn these socks (actually only twice).  They keep your feet dry even when you have been running through streams all day.  Don't believe me then check out their blog and see what the top runners are saying about Drymax.



Compression Shorts:  Zensah

 These compressions shorts are good ones.  Compression shorts cut down on unwanted chaffing and help keep muscles warm.  I chose these shorts because they have a great reputation for high quality products.  Many times during ultras I get certain hot spots, once I switched over to Zensah compression shorts the hot spots disappeared.  http://www.zensah.com/compression-shorts.html



  



Compression Calf Sleeves:  2XU
The compression sleeves I wear for recovery and for road races.  They help with blood circulation and help minimize muscle trauma during the race.  2XU is a great company with great products.  (Salomon has recently come out with some compression shorts with pockets specifically made for running) 



Nutrition:  Vespa

I have been using this product since summer of last year (2010).  I can't say once you take this it makes you feel any different and magically makes you run faster.  I have noticed that I do recover faster and I don't bonk out from lack of calories (also helps fight mental fatigue too).  The premise behind this product is that you take it before your race/workout and every 3-4 during (I take mine every 3 hours) and the amino acid in the product allows your body to metabolize fat more easily.  For all the details on what this product  does visit their website.

                S! Caps

This is a must have product regardless of distance.  I use this product all seasons of the year.  During the summer I will take at least 1 per hour and sometimes during extreme heat I will take 2 per hour.  This product contains sodium and potassium which will help retain fluids and helps fight hyponatremia.  I always have this product on me and strongly recommend it to any endurance athlete.  Here is the website.


          

          Endurance Cubes

These are the only thing I eat while I am training or during my  long       races.  They provide me the necessary calories I need and most importantly they are tasty!!!  I have had too many GU's go bad before and the due date and most of the time they taste terrible. Everyone has different preferences, but these cubes are made from quality ingredients and have a good blend of potassium, sodium, carbs and don't upset your stomach (at least not mine).  Here is more info on this product .  I sell these cubes on my online health store, if you would like to sample a package send me an email and I would be more then happy to ship a sample package out to you.






            Meal Replacement Shakes:

I use these replacement shakes during my long races (50 miles and over).  These shakes don't upset my stomach and provide me with all the necessary nutrients I need to replacement the ones lost during a long endurance race.  Most important thing in choosing a supplement/carb drink to use during an endurance race is to choose one that doesn't upset your stomach.  Here is more info on this product.  I sell these shakes on my online health store, if you would like a sample shake send me an email and I would be more then happy to ship a sample shake out to you.

            


              EFS Shot:

I came across this product on Karl Meltzer's blog and decided to give it a try.  It was very easy on my stomach and it gives me 400 calories per 5oz bottle, which is much better then having to each 15-20 GUs during 50+ mile races.  Not too many flavors to choose from but I like them both.  Check out their website for more product information.







          Vitargo:

Vitargo®S2 is the super-soluble form of Vitargo®, a patented, molecular carbohydrate with ZERO SUGAR. Only Vitargo®’s low osmolality, molecular carbohydrate form is university-research proven to move through the stomach more than twice as fast as the carbohydrates (e.g. maltodextrin and sugars) found in other sport drinks and powders. That means faster carbohydrate digestion and absorption into the body. It also means no bloating or that “heavy stomach” feeling common to ordinary carbohydrate-based products. Furthermore, Vitargo®S2 IVg technology is the only product of its kind that is university-research proven to deliver carbohydrate to muscle and the rest of the body 2X faster after exhaustive exercise and to accelerate glycogen refueling and recovery.