How to Beat Winter Hibernation

-Partner Up:  When left to our own devices on a cold day, we may find ourselves lying on the couch under a warm throw blanket watching television.  Having someone motivate you to get out and do something is key to breaking the hibernation cycle.  You can set up days where one person is responsible for getting you on the trail and vice versa.

-Dress Accordingly:  When you have the appropriate winter weather apparel to wear during your outdoor activities, it can make a huge difference in your attitude and motivation.  One mistake people often make when dressing for cold weather activities is that they bundle up so they are comfortable the second they step out of their front door.  Keep in mind that once you get moving, your body heat will rise and those layers you have piled on will start to overheat you.

-Keep moving after work:  The moment you sit down on your couch on a cold afternoon, your day is basically done.  If you walk in the door and immediately change into your workout clothes or start chores, you are more likely to get out and about.

-Mark your Calendar:  Keep you calendar marked up with your outdoor schedule.  If you have a work/personal calendar, you should be sure to include your weekly regimen.  It is not only a reminder, but it keeps you in an active mindset all day.

-Set a Winter Goal:  Setting a goal is one of the easiest ways to get motivated.  It gives you something to strive for, and it will create a pace at which your goal must be achieved.  This can be anything from reaching a weight goal or running Stanky Creek a certain amount of times in 3 months. When you are not working to reach your goal you may feel guilt as you sit on the couch, eating goldfish, and watching Judge Judy.

Hibernation can make getting back into your Spring/Summer routine difficult.  If you have spent the last several months napping and lounging around the house, it can be tough to break back in to running and biking on a regular basis.

Snow Days in Memphis…

It was a snowy weekend in Memphis

As we all know, snow in Memphis is a rarity.  It happens maybe once a year, if that, and it seldom sticks to the ground.  This year we actually got several inches of snow, enough to make an adequate snow angel and sled down steep hills.  We are hoping everyone is having a great time in the snow! Have fun and be safe out there!

Dress Right for the Liberty Bowl this Weekend

This weekend’s
forecast is a high of 69 with rain. How do you avoid missing
the Georgia versus UCF due to poor weather conditions? You dress
appropriately. Layering is the key in this type of
weather. There are many different combination you can go by,
but here are a couple of suggestions.

1. First
   Layer: A silkweight base layer like Capilene 1 would be ideal to keep you
   warm enough and still wick any sweat that might accumulate during
   your cheering frenzies.
2. Second Layer: A light
   fleece can be highly beneficial in a situation where it isn’t
   freezing cold, but you will be doing a lot of standing or
   sitting. It is good to have a jacket that will be well
   fitted, like the Patagonia R2 jacket for Men and
   Women. This jacket is lightweight and not bulky, but still
   offers up a good amount of warmth. Another option is the North Face Pumori jacket. It is
   a very basic, but warm fleece jacket with an excellent price point
   ($99).
3. Third Layer: A lightweight rain
   shell and pants (your team’s colors preferably) is a must in stormy
   weather, where the temperature is around the 60’s. You won’t
   want something that will weigh you down, so a thin shell will
   protect you from the rain and not get in your way. Make sure
   the hood is adjustable, so you have your peripheral view. We
   have several different lightweight rain shells for this very
   purpose. Try the North Face Venture Jacket or the Mountain Hardwear Cohesion
   Jacket. You can also refer to our previous blog on
   Lightweight
   rain shell options.

Other
necessities: – Socks: Standing
around doesn’t give your feet a good chance to warm up, especially
when it is raining. Whether you are going to wear a gore-tex
hiking boot or just rubber rain boots, you will need a nice, warm
sock nestled in your shoes. We suggest a Smartwool sock, medium cushion
hiking. This way your sock will dry quickly if you do get it
wet, but it will still retain its warming abilities.
- Hat: The wind can whip
around the Liberty Bowl pretty fiercely, so whether you are cold
natured or naturally warm, you will still need a hat that covers
your ears. You lose most of your body heat through the top of
your head. Keep it in with a wool or fleece hat.
- Have they created a special
umbrella for nachos yet? Have fun and Go your team name
here Go!

Outdoors Inc Sponsoring the Winter Cross Country Race Series

Outdoors Inc is the presenting sponsor of the Memphis Runners Track Club’s Winter Cross Country Race Series for the 3^rd year in a row.  This four race series takes runners around the Overton Park, Stanky Creek, and Shelby Farms trails.  The races vary in length, the first one being a 3k and the final race being a 10k.

This race series has been a staple in Memphis’ runners Winter regimen. If you are primarily a road runner, this race is a perfect way to ease into the Memphis trail running scene. If you are a strong competitor, this race offers lots of competition, as the turn out is always substantial.

Joe Royer, co-owner of Outdoors Inc, suggests “dress warm to train and light to race” for winter racing.  If you leave the house feeling comfortable in your clothes, you are probably overdressed.  Once you start your run, you will quickly feel your body temperature rise, therefore you will want to shed unnecessary layers.

All the proceeds from this race are given to the MRTC Running Scholarship Fund in Frank Horton’s name.

If you are gearing up for this wintery race series, we would love for you to come see us.  We have plenty of cool weather running gear and experts to guide you to your perfect run.

Good luck out there!

Who Are You Giving to This Holiday?

The holiday season is not just about presents.  It is a great time of year to give back to the organizations that make your community a better place to live.  There are hundreds of great causes to give to in Memphis, but here are a few outdoor specific ones we really love.

1. Wolf River Conservancy:  The Wolf River Conservancy is responsible for protecting more than 18,000 acres of 42,000 acres within the 100-year flood plain within Tennessee forever. For every $100 donated by members, they receive $1000 in partnerships and grants.  The Conservancy has inspired Greenways in Germantown, Collierville, and Memphis that give bikers, skaters, and walkers a place to enjoy safe, scenic paths.
2. Shelby Farms Park Conservancy:  Shelby Farms is one of Memphis’ greatest resources for the outdoor enthusiast.  It is home to a multitude of fauna and flora.  Through the Shelby Farms Conservancy you can make a donation that goes to protecting and preserving the Park or you can adopt a buffalo on the grounds.  Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is also responsible for maintaining the Shelby Farms Greenline trail that we all love so much.  Donations to the conservancy not only help keep the park clean and safe, but also the Greenline.
3. Greater Memphis Greenline:  This organization is helping “rails to trails” projects pop up all over town.  The first successful project from Greater Memphis Greenline was the Shelby Farms Greenline, which has brought outdoor enthusiasts together all across the city, linking midtown to Cordova.  Future plans include linking present greenlines to a downtown trail that leads to the river.  These projects require funding and helpful volunteers year round.
4. Sierra Club: Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. They are the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.  The Chickasaw chapter in Memphis is always looking for new members and donations.  This is a wonderful group to get involved with in your city.
5. Peopleforbikes.org:  This may not be a local organization, but it is one that can help Memphis receive grants and funding for bike lanes and other bicycle friendly endeavors.  Get involved by signing the pledge saying you are for bikes, or make a donation that helps fund bike initiatives and create a more bike compatible America.
6. Mississippi River Trail: A trail worthy of everyone’s bucket list, the MRT is comprised of over 3,000 miles of greenways and trails that stretch from Lake Itasca in Minnesota, all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.  When donating to MRT, inc, you are helping fund, develop, expand, and preserve the bicycle-friendly, multi-use trails that connect 10 states.
7. Mississippi River Corridor:  This project focuses on conserving and improving unique natural beauty and rich history of the wilderness, recreation lands, working farms and forests, parks, and wildlife habitat in the 650,000-acre area from the River to the famous Chickasaw Bluffs. Supporting this cause helps preserve, protect, and enhance the Mississippi River Corridor so that many people will enjoy it far into the future.
8. Friends for our Riverfront:  If you have picnicked alongside the river, or watched the sun set over the river from the grass lining the Great Mississippi, you will be excited to support Friends for our Riverfront.  They were created in 2003 to oppose the Riverfront Development Corporation’s plan to let private interests develop public land at the taxpayers’ expense.  The Friends of our Riverfront have a vision that includes revitalization of the river front and public park areas.  You can either make a donation through their website, or you can purchase the Save Our Riverfront CD.  All profit from the CD benefits FOOR.

There are plenty of ways to spend you money this holiday season, but why not do some good?  We’d love to hear from you.  What are your favorite causes?

*If we left out your outdoors specific cause, please forgive us.  There are so many amazing organizations; it’s hard to name them all

Fall/Winter Trail Runner’s Gear Guide (Staff Picks)

You can throw on road running shoes, some long pants, and a wicking shirt to go running, sure.  That doesn’t necessarily make for a great experience though.  The clothes and gear you wear for trail running should change with the seasons.  Here are a couple of things we have in the stores to make your trail running times enjoyable.

1. A good watch with heart rate capabilities:  Did you know a watch could track your distance, heart rate, calories burned, speed and more?  Well, they can.  We have several different brands of Heart rate monitoring watches, but one that seems to be a stand out is the Suunto T4-D.  This watch can do it all.  For the specs of this watch you can go to their website.  If you have ever wondered mid-workout how hard your body is working, this is the watch for you.  The Suunto T4-D watch has a real-time Training Effect option where you can look at an accurate measure of your workout and adjust your pace as needed.  This can actually help you design a training regime to fit the results you seek.  Pretty cool, huh?
   Honorable Mention: Garmin Forerunner 301
2. A good pair of tights:  We have an abundance of cool weather tights for running and cycling in our stores.  One stands out with a technology only scientists could invent.  The CW-X tights were developed with kinesiology, the study of human movement, in mind.  The scientists at Wacoal Human Science Research Center in Kyoto, Japan studied 35,000 people’s injuries that occurred from warm-up and cool-down periods of exercise.  The CW-X tights and shorts were created to mirror kineseo tape that you might see professional athletes sporting when they have injured muscles.  It offers support for your joints and muscles by creating an exoskeleton support system that improves bio-mechanics during motion.  If you are prone to running related injuries, these are the tights for you.
   Honorable Mention- Patagonia Cool Weather Tights
3. A fine pair of stable shoes:  No, you cannot just use your road running shoes on the trails.  On a trail, your ankle is more susceptible to injury; therefore you need a shoe that performs differently.  Salomon makes a variety of great trail running shoes with extreme stability and comfort.  One stands out to our staff as a favorite: The SpeedCross 2.  It is an ultra-light, race-ready shoe with aggressive tread that works great year round.  One of the unique features of Salomon shoes is the uni-lacing system.  The laces are made of Kevlar (that’s right, just like bulletproof vests) and it is all one consecutive lace.  Because approximately 80% of people over-pronate when walking and running, this lacing system offers extra support on the inner section of your foot.  A lightweight, stable trail running shoe.  What more could you want?
   Honorable Mention- The North Face Ultra 104 (Gore-Tex Optional)
4. A warm, lightweight jacket with wind protection:  When you are out in the elements running, the last thing you would want is a bulky fleece that lets wind pass right through.  Wind is a strong factor in how cold you get when out running.  What you really need is a thin, windproof jacket with a light lining.  The North Face Flight Apex Climate Jacket is the perfect combo.  This is a slim, windproof jacket that gives you all the wind protection you need and no extra bulk to get in your way.   When paired with the proper layering, this jacket is perfect for a cool day on the trails.
   Honorable Mention-Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover
5. A water bottle that doesn’t get in the way:  For a long time, people were wearing Camelbacks on long trail runs.  There is nothing wrong with a Camelback, if you don’t mind the weight and warm material on your back.  Ultimate Direction offers a different way to carry your drink of choice.  The Fastdraw Xtreme fits perfectly in your hand and offers a zippered stash pocket for a key, money, or gel.  The only downside to this in opposition of a camelbak is that you cannot carry as much water with you.  The Fastdraw Xtreme is perfect for a short to medium distance run.
   Honorable Mention: Ultimate Direction Access Gel Waist Pack

Other Must Haves:
-Long sleeved wicking shirt
-Polarized Sunglasses
-A lightweight hat
-Energy gel or bars

Product pictured on Robin Kendall, Union Avenue Store Manager
Watch: Suunto T4-D
Pants: CW-X Stabilyx Tights
Shirt: The North Face Impulse ¼ zip shirt
Vest: Patagonia R2 Vest
Sunglasses: Oakley Endure
Water Bottle: Ultimate Direction Fastdraw Xtreme
Hat: The North Face Vaporwick Endurance Cap
Black Jacket: The North Face Flight Apex Climate Jacket
Blue Jacket: The North Face Torpedo Jacket
Shoes: Salomon Speedcross 2

Memphis Celebrates the Longest Running Cyclocross Race in the Nation

A winding bike course stretches down Memphis’ Greenbelt Park lined by the Great Mississippi River on an early Sunday morning.  On-lookers stand atop a hill above the course waving cowbells with the passing of each cyclist.  The 24^th

Annual Outdoors Inc Cyclocross Championship Race is in full swing.

The race, which is the longest running Cyclocross race in the United States, was created to give cyclists an alternative training option in the colder months.  Once the temperatures begin to drop, not every cyclist is keen on riding long distance in freezing weather.  Cyclocross provides the right amount of physical challenge for the perfect amount of time when the weather is less than ideal.  Unlike road races that take place in warmer weather, riders compete by time instead of distance.  This actually makes the race spectator-friendly, because you can have a great view of the entire course.

Race director and co-owner of Outdoors Inc, Joe Royer, spent over 20 years racing in cyclocross, road and mountain bike races all over Europe and America.  With each race he gained the knowledge and experience to bring the highest quality bike race possible to his hometown of Memphis, TN.

The course wraps around the Park, taking the riders up hills and over barricades where they have to dismount from their bikes and carry them as they jump over and remount.  Cyclocross is a physically demanding sport that requires balance, as well as speed.

For a unique twist this year, the barriers were constructed from Cottonwood trees pulled right out of the Mississippi River. Over the years the race has been held in many different locations around Memphis, but Joe Royer, race director and co-owner of Outdoors Inc, says people just love the race being located along the Mississippi River.

Riders sweep around a 1.5 mile loop for 10 to 50 minutes depending on age and category.  The C race starts off the festivities with children, ages 3 to 14.  The youngest, 3-5 year olds, take off down a 50 yard dash, followed by the older kids riding around a shortened track for 10 minutes. The B race is for beginners, while the A race is rapid paced with Nathan Rice and Katherine Williams leading the men’s and women’s divisions.

In previous years, the winners have been renown cyclists from all over the United States including National Cyclocross Champions Paul Curley, Steve Tilford, and Frank McCormick.  Needless to say, the 2010 racers were in good company.

For the race to run smoothly, it takes attention to detail from all the Outdoors Inc staff handling the event.  “Everything from registration to the take down of the course has to be perfect,” says Royer.  The company dedicates extra time for the take down after the race to guarantee that the race site is left cleaner than they found it. This could be a detail that will ensure the race will stand the test of time.