Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 55, February 2014 | Page 33

Reviews TRIED & TESTED Wintergreen Ice Spray As a commentator on several trail running stage races, I have seen plenty of tired, sore runners stop for a spray and rub at the Wintergreen Ice station, because this product is that good. We all know that icing of muscles and joints has long been advised to help reduce swelling and joint inflammation, so what better to spray onto sore legs when you’re taking strain in a hard run up a mountain? Added to that, the minty smell really makes runners perk up. So, the other day when I was struggling with my calf, I whipped out the Ice Spray, rubbed the offending muscle a wee bit, and soon I felt good to go again. Another great idea is to spray it on after a run, to give your muscles an instant soothing cool-down. – Sean Falconer GET IT: R54.99 at selected Alpha Pharmacies, Sportsmans Warehouse & sports stores. More info: www.wintergreen.co.za or [email protected]. K-Way Kamit MoistureManager Tee All right, I will admit it, I was first drawn to the Kamit by its colour – just love this blue! But once I had it on and was running in it, I saw exactly why K-Way-sponsored trail running star AJ Calitz raves about this shirt, both for training and racing. The moisture-wicking properties are very effective in keeping you dry and comfy, but then you add the Cool Touch microfibre technology that actually slows the speed at which the fabric heats up, thus keeping you cooler for longer. Yes, you will still get hot, but I definitely feel cooler for longer in this shirt. Also, since I am not exactly the tallest, most visible runner, I always appreciate reflective logo detailing, so that I feel more visible and safer when it gets darker and I am still out running. – Sean Falconer GET IT:R199 from all Cape Union Mart stores. More info at www.capeunionmart.co.za. Great new gear, products and other bits and bobs put to the test by the Modern Athlete team. Tom Cottrell’s Cyclists’ Guide 2014 As a keen cyclist, I love paging through the Cyclists’ Guide, because it shows you all the route profiles, so that you know what to expect on your races, which allows you to plan ahead, not only in terms of racing strategy, but also feeding strategy. It really is a very informative book, and one that I simply cannot do without each year – I now have the latest one on my desk and the previous five on the bookshelf! Also, as somebody who has been mostly a roadie up till now, I appreciate that the road and mountain biking races are split per province, making the guide easier to use… but that said, I have just started mountain-biking, so being able to find the beginner-friendly courses is a real bonus for me. – Nicole De Villiers GET IT: R180 at www.in2sports.co.za, the exclusive online retail partner to Tom Cottrell’s Guide Book Publications. Rush Endurance Bar or Training Bar Ancient Ican warriors ate the maca root for stamina. In Born to Run, chia seeds are hailed as the food of choice if stranded on a desert island. And the Amazonian camu camu fruit is extraordinarily high in vitamin C. RUSH endurance bars contain all three, added to Spirulina and Quinoa and other high-fibre, low GI ingredients for a natural boost that will help you perform better in your chosen sport. The bars make an ideal snack on the go – easy to chew, but the dates, almonds and gluten-free oats also provide a satisfying crunch! It’s not sickly sweet, and it’s free of eggs, dairy, wheat, gluten, preservatives and refined sugar, thus giving your body and mind an extremely healthy option to fuel your sport. Also available in a Training Bar that is slightly higher in fibre and protein. – Lauren van der Vyver GET IT: R150 for a box of 10 bars at www.in2sports.co.za. (See page 31 for more details about limited offer sprint deals with a superb discount.) 33