Four Hydration Systems
By Susie Pontefract

Hydration systems should be every walker’s best friend. When walking an hour or more, it’s important to stay hydrated in order to keep cool and prevent injury. Even during the most walker-friendly races, where aid stations are two to three miles apart, it’s impossible for a walker to meet their hydration needs. Therefore, walkers should carry their own hydration systems. Here we review four of the most popular systems in the walking world based on comfort, convenience, and price.

Fuel Belt
Comfort
One of the most comfortable systems available. The multiple bottle design allows an even distribution of weight, eliminating almost all bounce.
Convenience
The multiple bottle design allows one to carry a variety of drinks or gels. The only drawback is in race conditions, when you must unscrew and fill up several bottles instead of just one.
$32

Amphipod
Comfort
Very comfortable. The water bottle pack fits snuggly in the small of the back. No bounce detected when we gave it a try.
Convenience
Only an Amphipod bottle can be used with their packs, which isn’t terrible considering the bottle design is one of the reasons the pack is so stable. However, it can be inconvenient if you forgot to clean your bottle.
$36

Camelback
Comfort
The pack is bigger than most, but it carries three times as much fluid. When full, the pack can be a bit heavy. However, when you need lots of fluid for a long hike or event, you can’t beat a Camelback.
Convenience
Drinking from the pack is convenient as the mouth piece is accessible from the front. However, cleaning and drying the bladder can be a task. And, if you forget to do so, then you’ll have your very own science experiment growing where your drink has been. If this happens, replacement bladders are a little spendy.
$40

Ultimate
Comfort
A bit more bouncy than the Amphipod, but honestly not enough to even worry about. The pack is lightweight and comfortable.
Convenience
The most economical of the bunch. Almost all bottle types fit in the Ultimate holder. The pocket in the back is also a great size for keys, gel packs, and other small necessities.
$20

Thanks to Portland Running & Walking Company for providing us with our test models.

Wear Your Gym Masai Barefoot Technology

MASAI warriors with their wonderfully natural posture were the inspiration to Masai Barefoot Technology (mBT). Swiss engineer Karl Müller invented mBT over 10 years ago to ease his own back and joint pain.

The shoes have a multi-layered sole that recreates natural uneven walking surfaces and forces the body to work as nature intended using all the major and stabilizing muscle groups. Four styles are currently offered. For more information logon to www.swissmasaius.com.

Walk About’s Web Pick

www.smallstep.gov

Approximately two-thirds (64%) of American adults are currently either overweight or obese, and the obesity rates have increased by more than 60% among adults over the last 10 years, according to recent statistics released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Obesity and overweight is the second-leading cause of preventable deaths in America. Logon for information on behavioral changes, physical activity, and healthier eating.

River City Track Club

Watch out racewalkers there are some new girls in town. River City Track Club is proud to brag about its racewalking contingency. Julie Stevens coaches these young ladies during the track season and now during the cross-country season. The club has around 40 members and has an all-volunteer coaching staff. It holds practice sessions during the week at various locations in town and travels to meets on the weekends. River City Track Club (RCTC), is a USATF- sanctioned youth team with members from all over the Portland Metro area. They range in age from 6 to 18. All abilities are welcome in this family-oriented environment. The cross-country session has just started. For further information contact Julie or Jim Stevens at 503-735-0290 or email rctcpdx@aol.com.

Evolution Now in Northwest

There’s a new juice in town. Evolution has 42 juices to choose from including lots of organics. It cracks coconuts to put fresh coconut milk into its smoothies. Its orange and grapefruit juices are fresh squeezed and a true raw juice. Also offered are pure watermelon juice (nothing added), pure pomegranate, and six different veggie juices such as carrot parsley spinach juice and carrot celery beet juice just to name a few. This company has been able to capture the flavor of each fruit and vegetable in a bottle.

Evolution also offers cut fruits, salsa, and cut veggies. You can find Evolution juices and many fresh Evolution products at most health food stores as well as at your local health or athletic club. Look for this healthy product and join the juice Evolution!

Volunteer Opportunities

Walking dogs*: Every pup deserves a chance to get outside, breathe some fresh air, and feel the ground beneath their paws Ñ all while learning how to walk safely on a leash or receiving a refresher course on how to heel, sit, and stay. Join the crew at the Oregon Humane Society and walk a dog.

Take a dog for a run or hike*: Weekend mornings a group of volunteers selects dogs to take running or hiking around Portland.

*These volunteer opportunities require attending an orientation/training class prior to participating at OHS.

Roadrunner Sports
Opens Second Store in NW

We are all familiar with the RoadRunner catalog. The catalog has been around since 1983 with a retail store in San Diego. The retail store did so well that a second location was sought, thus settling on the Northwest location. This store will carry shoes and clothing from Asics, New Balance, NIKE, Brooks, Mizuno, Saucony, Adidas, and others. Opening on September 1, 2004 with a grand opening in October, located in the Green Lake area of Seattle. Visit them at 7020 Woodlawn Avenue N.E., Seattle WA 98115, or call for more information at
206-517-5100.