If you don't love EMS, you should.

I did it again. I went into an EMS store unprepared. On Thursday night I signed up for a bike maintenance class at my local EMS. Even though I haven't been riding lately, and probably won't ride outside again until the spring, I still wanted to go to a bike maintenance class. I had been meaning to go to a class like this since I got my bike in April 2011. As you can see, I don't procrastinate or anything. During a newbie night event a few days before my triathlon, I watched someone change a flat. Thank God I did not get a flat during my triathlon, because I still had no idea how to change my flat. I figured my luck might not hold out for two seasons in a row, so I needed to learn how to change a flat. Or at least watch someone do it again.

I am a member of a meet up group called CHAOS. They are all about doing outdoorsy (and indoorsy) crazy things. I'm not all that crazy when it comes to adventure type things, but when I saw an event pop up for a bicycle maintenance class, I sure as heck decided to be crazy. A member of the group, Jeff, works at the new EMS in Northborough,MA. He graciously offered to give the members of CHAOS, as well as EMS customers, a chance to attend this bike maintenance class for no charge.

Even though the weather was uncooperative, giving us snow in October, a few of us still showed up. In fact, one of the employees, Stephen, from the Marlborough store was there for the class. He works at the Northborough store now and even though Jeff taught the class, he still had a few helpful things to add here and there. Seriously, if I haven’t said it before (and I have, you just might not have been paying attention) EMS is pretty awesome.

Jeff showed us how to change a tire, front and back, how to tighten brakes, check for worn brake pads, fix minor problems with the gears, and bike cleaning do’s and don’ts, among other things. He was extremely patient and listed to all of our questions. He answered everything and was crazy good at what he does. An EMS employee told me later, that when the Northborough store was opened, they only hired the best of the best because they wanted good quality employees who know what they are talking about. That’s good to know! The next time I need a tune up for my bike, or I’m having problems with it, I’m bringing it to Jeff at EMS in Northborough!

In addition to the bike maintenance class, I was searching for some hiking supplies since I was supposed to go hiking this weekend. Thanks to 6-10 inches of snow half way up the mountain, that didn’t happen. However, on Thursday night, I didn’t know that yet, so I talked with yet another EMS employee, Ed, about hiking gear and what I might need to bring with me. Yet again, another amazingly positive experience! Ed was extremely helpful. He informed me of the right types of materials to wear while hiking and found some pants that might be helpful for me not only during the hike, but also for outside runs during the winter. While I was in the dressing room trying things on, he kept searching for things for me and brought me more things to try on. He was on his game! After I had decided on the pants, we talked about jackets, fleeces, outerwear, and other things that could keep me warm in freezing weather. He helped me look for gloves, then went down a list of things I might need for a hike. I’m pretty sure that if, in the future, I gave him a date, time, and place I was going to be, he’d have an entire outfit with gear waiting for me by the time I got to the store.

I’m definitely impressed with EMS and their customer service in the stores. Their employees are not only knowledgeable, but they are also active in their respective sports so they have the experience behind the knowledge. I definitely stand behind EMS and their products.

In fact, I just joined the EMS Affiliate program and I am waiting for them to review my application. If all goes well, I'll be an affiliate and you can get all your gear through me!!

So seriously folks, if you have an EMS in your area, check it out. If you don’t, come visit Massachusetts and check out my local stores. The people in there are fantabulous and they are worth the trip!

Are you Pure? A Crystal Light Pure Review and Giveaway!

A little over a month ago I was contacted by Caitlin about the Crystal Light Pure product. She says that she thought the readers of my blog (that's you guys) along with myself might be interested in some hydration tips from Crystal Light. This email came to me about a week after my triathlon, so I was very interested. She also informed me that two of the flavors - Grape and Strawberry Kiwi – have electrolytes. Being new to running, I'm still learning about electrolytes, when I need them, if I should take them, and how they help me at all. I'm also a complete lover of all Crystal Light products, so of course I jumped at the chance.

Caitlin sent me three flavors to try: Grape, Strawberry Kiwi, and Lemonade.

Strawberry Kiwi, Lemonade, Grape

The Pure line also has Tropical Blend and Mixed Berry flavors available.

I had planned to ask her what the difference between Crystal Light and Crystal Light Pure was until I re-checked the e-mail she had sent me and I found this: 

“Crystal Light Pure, is naturally sweetened with sugar and Truvia, a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It also has no artificial flavors or preservatives.” 

The other difference I noticed was Crystal Light Pure has 10 more calories per serving than the regular variety. While that may be a smart idea for fitness and electrolyte reasons, I don’t think I’d choose Pure over my regular Crystal Light for everyday drinking.

In my past experience, my favorite Crystal Light flavor is Lemonade. However, out of the flavors that were sent to me, Grape was my favorite. I enjoyed the Kiwi Strawberry and of course the Lemonade, but I tended to grab the Grape flavor more often.

 After ripping one open within moments of getting my package, I tried these little packets of joy over the course of about a month. I wanted to see how much I enjoyed them, how they affected my performance and if I’d stick with them once my samples ran out.

I drank Pure during my speed work runs on the treadmill, hot yoga class that supposedly weren’t hot, outdoor runs in the cold, “long runs”, and finally my most recent 5K race. I have to say, if the point of Crystal Light Pure is to get people hydrated, then it worked. It is tastier than water and got me to keep drinking.

Hey, Crystal Light, I could be your spokesperson!

I don’t exactly know how electrolytes work, but if you work out hard, you sweat, and you lose salt. You need something more than water to keep you going. That’s where electrolytes come in; they help you stay hydrated. Or something like that. I don’t really know. Which is why these hydration tips that were sent to me were very helpful to me and they might be helpful to you. So here they are.

Hydration Tips from Crystal Light Pure Spokesperson Molly Kimball, RD

1. Keep a Tally

We can’t actually tell how well we’re hydrated by how thirsty we feel. For many of us, by the time we start to feel thirsty, we’re already dehydrated, but just how much water is enough when it comes to staying hydrated? Keep a running tally of how much fluid you’re getting and aim for half of your body weight in ounces of fluid per day, plus an extra 16 ounces for every pound of sweat lost during exercise or work in the heat. 

2. Flavor Up to Drink Up

Want to drink water to stay hydrated, but hate the boring taste? Add the flavor you want and none of what you don’t by sipping on naturally sweetened Crystal Light Pure. It’s got no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives and is sweetened with sugar and Truvia, a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It’ll give your water light, refreshing flavor with just 15 calories and 4 grams of sugar per serving. And the Grape and Strawberry Kiwi flavors have the added bonus of electrolytes!

3. Don’t Forget about Food

Staying well-hydrated is essential for maintaining optimal energy levels, preventing muscle cramping and headaches, and more serious issues like heatstroke. But that doesn’t mean you have to force down gallons of water or bottles of sugary sports drinks. Any type of alcohol-free beverage can count toward your fluid intake – and even some foods! Some of the top electrolyte-rich, hydrating foods include all types of fresh fruit, soups like gazpacho and Greek yogurt.

4. Watch the Caffeine

For years, the widely-held belief was that caffeinated beverages were dehydrating. An abundance of research has proven otherwise, however. The amount of caffeine typically found in standard servings of tea, coffee, and soft drinks appears to have no diuretic effect, meaning that these beverages don’t cause us to lose more fluid than they provide. But remember that you don’t want the majority of your fluids to come from caffeinated drinks since most health organizations recommend we limit our caffeine intake. Instead, try to vary what you’re drinking.

What is your favorite way to stay hydrated? Do you like Crystal light? What do you drink on long runs? Water? Gatorade? NUUN?

And most importantly: Would you like to try Crystal Light Pure??

Contest has ended!!

Winner posted here!

At this time, Crystal Light was unable to sponsor a giveaway, but I have a bunch of samples left and I'd love to share some with one lucky winner!

The winner will get a sample pack with all three flavors that I was given to try.

• Strawberry Kiwi
• Lemonade
• Grape

All you have to do is:

• Leave me a comment telling me your favorite way to stay hydrated while working out. (mandatory)
• Follow Crystal Light Pure on Facebook and tell them I sent you! (Bonus entry)
• Be a follower of my blog (Bonus entry)
• Follow me on twitter (@runaroundsara) and/or Facebook (Run Around Sara) (Bonus entry)
• Tweet about this review & giveaway: I entered @runaroundsara's giveaway for a sample pack of @CrystalLight Pure here: http://tinyurl.com/5u4t72z  (Bonus entry)

You have 5 chances to win, so leave a comment for each method of entry  and I will pick a random winner on Saturday November 6 at 10pm.

If you've tried Crystal Light in the past for refreshment reasons, I have no doubt you'll like these travel sized packs of Crystal Light Pure! You have no reason not to enter!!

Contest has ended!!

Winner posted here!

*For disclosure reasons, I need to inform you that I received samples of Crystal Light Pure from Kraft Foods and the opinions I provided are based on my own experience with the product. The giveaway in this post is sponsored by me not Kraft Foods. Please do not contact them for your sample if you win. Contact me at runaroundsara (at) gmail (dot) com. Thank you!*