high visibility equestrian wear

I've posted before about some some instances of civilians making funny errors with a niche market like equstrian and cycling sports. I found another one today with a company that makes reflective gear for activities like running and cycling. I think the products are actually really cool, but it's clear they are new to marketing their gear towards horse people: 

 

 

I had to google "spats" to see what they were going for.

And the "necklace" cracks me up.

But hey, great product, so check out Proviz for reflective gear for all your activities!

Fit-tastic! Friday Links (weird news edition)

Three links today, all weird, one completely unrelated to health and fitness:

#hotguysonthenyhalf -- Huffington Post

Courtney Love found the missing Malaysian plane! -- cnet.com

"Ugliest Runners' Feet" (click at your own risk...) -- Runner's World (Seriously. Only view if you're prepared for some really nasty blister shots.)

a cringe-inducing picture for your Thursday

a poem

 

 

blowdrying and straightening your hair

is so much harder

on strength training days

Fit-tastic Valentines

from Greatist and Runner's World

 

 

 

why I can't buy avocados from Costco

Why running is especially beneficial during the holidays...

"The Color of Pee" Infographic

Is my urine healthy?

 

 

Russian Subway Accepts Squats as Payment

Pinterest Masterpieces aka WTF THIS ISN'T REAL FOOD

I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest. I love finding new recipes. I hate logging on for a minute and finding myself craving a rich dessert immediately. I love seeing witty posters and word art other people pin. I hate feeling like I'm wasting time scrolling through a jumble of makeup tutorials and meticulous wedding ideas. I love getting quick workout ideas. I hate the "5 minutes to flat abs!" captions.

What mostly makes me laugh, more than a picture of a cat with a funny caption, is when I see someone pin "clean eating ideas!" and "10 moves to shed pounds fast!" followed directly by a recipe for a sugary processed dessert monstrosity.

Why? Why would you submit yourself to this?

Please no. "But it's sooo good!" Of COURSE it tastes good. Look at it. YOU CAN'T EAT ALL THE THINGS.

None of this is even real food. So you want cheesy bread? Sure, go use some wheat dough and some real cheese. But this? This isn't food.

 

Caption: "Candy corn stuck in cookie dough center for candy corn on the cob!"

 

 

Just remember, friends don't let friends eat chemicals pretending to be food.

Celebrities: they're just like us! (Marathon Edition)

Can You Beat These Celebrity Marathoners? -- Runner's World

Celebrity Marathon Times -- Men's Health

Knowing my marathon time is faster than Shia LeBeouf's gives me great satisfaction. That guy seems like a jerk.

I can't help myself

"When Comfort is Your #1 Priority"...

...maybe you should just stay home.

PRANCERCISE

A month without posting? That's how I roll.

If I'm not at work, I'm at the barn or running or on the AT or at the gym or scrambling trying to get something, just something, done.

I wish I could take a week off, go to an empty house on the beach, and just read and cook and run and be alone. Second best: tell everyone I'm gone for a week and just hide.

Anyway, if that won't do, prancercise surely will!

Prance it out, people. I already did a lap around my office and it was a hit.

Kitten is ready for the AT!

One year ago today, I stepped foot on Springer Mountain and began my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. In honor of this glorious anniversary, I present to you REI's April Fool's Day contribution:

 

 

As expected, I dearly miss the trail and think about my hike constantly. One thing that helps is reading blogs from this year's crop of thru hikers. I have several blogs that I’m reading and it has been so fun to read about their first couple of weeks. I love seeing the different attitudes and perspectives each hiker has while experiencing the same trail. While I'm rooting for all of them, there are sure to be some that don't finish. Husband and I may or may not have some bets going on, creating our own Fantasy Thru Hike.

If you’re interested in following along, see this list I've compiled on my personal blog.

The only cure for thru hiker fever is to plan another one, right? PCT 2013 anyone?

Biggest Loser - Season 14 (!)

Wanted to share this, but it gets a little weird on my personal blog when all I do is talk about health & fitness.

So.

Biggest Loser is returning on January 6th and THIS GIRL is excited!

Article here from the LA times about each contestant and trainer. I love that everyone looks nice and normal in their photos... and then you get to Alison Sweeny. "This is my intense face! See? I'm a soap star!"

Two things:

1) Jillian Michaels is back. Yeah, she bugs me. But it makes for a good show.

2) Check out the contestants:

So instead of doing the usual "this is our biggest season yet!" they're going in a different direction. Kids and young adults!

Maybe it won't be so fun watching Jillian make someone cry when it's an 13 year old kid.

ridiculousity

Recent observations of human intelligence:


I stopped by a favorite consignment shop after being at the barn all day. I kept getting inquisitive looks from a mother/daughter pair, something that happens pretty regularly when I go anywhere in public in my riding garb. And usually dirty and covered in horse hair. We were both near the front about to purchase our items when the daughter finally said to me, "Those leg cover things are really cute! Where did you get them?"

I was caught off guard, never having been complimented on any riding gear by a non-horsey person, so I responded, "Uh... well they're half chaps. For riding. They're in any riding catalog or tack store... I mean they're not really a fashion thing, they're for riding." "Well they're really cute!" The mom butted in and said, to the daughter, "Well you like riding bikes, right?".

What? Have you ever seen anyone riding a bike? Do they wear tan pants and heeled leather boots and a 'leg cover'?

"No, not bikes, for horses."

Blank stare.

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As seen on ebay:

"2011 NEW MODE JP BRAND cycling Jersey bib shorts set"

In their defense, the Pearl Izumi logo does look like a J and a P...

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I love love love REI- they have a wide range of products and their garage sales have AMAZING deals. However, they may not be the best people to go to as far as product knowledge goes. Their employees are expected to be masters of way too many things and it can be hit or miss on who you get.

Case in point:
REI worker asked me if I had any bicycle brand preference. I responded that my other bike was a Specialized, so I have some attachment to that brand. He told me this may prove to be difficult because Specialized went out of business.

"What?! Are you sure?" "Yep, the whole company went under." "Huh. You'd think I would have heard about that." "Yeah it happened about 4 or 5 years ago."

Interesting, considering the Transition I had was only 2 years old. And that the other stores we went to that day were stocked with the new 2011 models. Way to be, REI guy, way to be.