Gear Review: Terramar Climasense 2.0 Thermolator (Pant, 1/2 zip, and mock)

As an ambassador for Terramar Sports, I've been able to get out in the winter months and continue training and racing without issue. This time around, I was fortunate enough to receive their Climasense 2.0 Thermolator Pant, 1/2 zip and mock shirt. Let me tell you, I really love my TXO 2.0 layers and my Terrmar SmartSilk layers, but the Climasense/thermolator set is top notch. Hands down, it's the best baselayer set I have in my repertoire.

I couldn't really tell you how cold this base layer set can withstand, but as a trail runner, this set is absolutely perfect for anything above 25, especially when you couple it together with some Terramar Smart Silk glove liners and a Terramar beanie. This base layer set moves with you and never bunches up. It's like a second skin almost. The sleeves of the mock and 1/2 zip have thumb holes. With these layers on, I've done runs in 30 degree weather without issue. I've yet to make it out in below 30 this season but I can tell you, I wouldn't hesitate to use my Thermolator layers. When I'm cold, these layers provide a warming effect and if I'm hot, they provide a cooling effect. 

Gear Review: Terramar Body-Sensors Thermolator II Jersey

As most of you are aware, and for those of you who aren't, I am a brand ambassador for Terramar Sports. What is this Terramar Sports you ask? Well let me tell you, only the best base layers you can find to fit all sorts of bills for outdoors activity regardless of season. It's been over a year since I've been stumping for Terramar and still to this day it's a brand I love and believe in.



For this season, I've been outfitted with a great assortment of gear to keep the running going through the winter, and let me just say, they didn't disappoint. One of my favorite pieces this time around is the Body-Sensors Thermolator II Jersey. On those 30 something degree days with the sun shining, you better believe I'll be wearing it under some running jersey that I've acquired over the past year. This baselayer is awesome. Very warm, yet breathable, long sleeves, and it even has thumb holes, not something I've seen a lot of in men's clothing. I've been on a few trail runs with this top so far, and I've not been disappointed.

Gear Review: Terramar Body-Sensor Helix Shirts

Some of you may know that I am a proud member of the Terramar Tribe. For those of you who don't, well now you do. What's the Terramar Tribe you ask? That's the brand ambassador program for Terramar Sports. Terramar Sports is the maker of wonderful base-layers that help to fuel our adventures by keeping us warm in the winter and cool in the hot summer. Regardless of the fact that I'm a member of the Tribe, I have to say that I'm in total love with all of my Terramar gear. It's yet to have let me down.

Anyway, so shortly after becoming a member of the "Tribe", I was sent two of the Men's Helix Mountain Tee Body-Sensors t-shirt, a long sleeve and a short sleeve. Having recently converted to being a trail runner, as opposed to a road runner (insert looney tune pic here), I can honestly say that both of these shirts have become my go-to shirts for training and racing alike. Not only are they functional, they are also rather stylish as I've had absolutely no problem wearing them out to town. They also serve their original function of being a base layer quite well.

Trail Race Report: Wanderer's Trail Race 1/20/2013

I've been a road runner for most of my running life. That was until this year. Actually, back in late November of last year I started my training to run the Dark Hollow Wallow (an 11 mile trail race) at our "home" park Big Ridge State Park. The Dark Hollow Wallow is put on by The Knoxville Track Club and is part of their Treadin' Trodden' Trail series. Last year was the first year of the race and I would have loved to run it then but was in no shape to run 11 miles on tough trails. So I made it my goal to run it this year.

As mentioned, I started my training towards the end of November. I had run a couple trails prior to this point but I didn't dare call myself a trail runner as it wasn't my normal mode of running. Of course if you run and run on a trail then you're a trail runner. Up until this point I usually ran on the roads and on tracks to train for 5k's, 10k's and a couple of half marathons. During my training, I thought it would be a good idea to get some trail racing experience prior to the Dark Hollow Wallow before I bit off more than I could chew. The Treadin' Trodden' Trail series starts off every year with the Wanderer's Trail Race on the Maryville College campus. It's a 4 mile trail race and I thought with where my training was already, this would be the perfect opportunity to find out what it's like to run in a trail race.

Living Under a Rock?

We're pretty certain most of you have given up on us and figured we've caved in and took solace under a rock with having a new member of the family. That really couldn't be further from the truth. While taxing, raising our wee-little one hasn't completely kept us from getting out and about. It has however, really limited us from having any quality "sit down in front of a computer to get something done other than bills" time. Also considering work, regular run of the mill household tasks and upkeep, and a nagging an all out painful back issue, we have been somewhat limited in what we've been able to do in the out of doors arena.

So what have we been up to other than wrangling babies, playing taxi driver, and battling a fiery hip/back/leg due to a herniated disk impinging on a nerve? Long story short, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We've been on some walks, playing on playgrounds here and there when the weather permits it, a short hike, plenty of scenic drives, and for Tim, quite a bit of running including two trail races as he converts from a road runner to a trail runner. There's also been a couple impromptu trips to Mississippi to visit Tim's father in the hospital. He's suffered a couple heart attacks back in February and Cardiac arrest while in the hospital. We ask that y'all keep his dad and family in your prayers.

So as time rolls and my goodness does it, we can't believe that March is already almost half way over, you can look forward to more posts of what we've done in the past few months. We have some gear reviews that are long over due, a couple of race reports, a failed hike and lesson in risk management on the trail, among several others. What's more is Tim is now also a proud member of the Terramar Tribe so you can be certain to see some reviews on some Terramar gear. Tim can honestly say that the base layers he currently has from Terramar are awesome. He's in love with them.

Friday's Giveaway Roundup

Okay, so I know last week I said something about doing this on Thursdays, however, it seems I can never meet my own deadlines. At this rate, it appears I'll be late to my own funeral, and quite honestly I won't complain about that. Anyway, I've only spotted one or two new giveaways on the interwebs this week so I'll get straight to it.

Earlier this week the Hiking Lady announced a giveaway for the ladies. She's teamed up with Moving Comfort to give one lucky reader a sports bra that is tailored to your particular needs. She's going to pick a winner today so you'd better hurry if it isn't too late already. Head over to the HikingLady.com for all the details on this giveaway.

Gear Giveaway Roundup 6/7/2011

Howdy folks and welcome to a brand new edition of Giveaway Roundup. This week we have 5 different giveaways that we have found in the outdoor blogosphere. So hold on to your seats and enjoy the ride.

Giveaway #1

Patricia Herr of the Blog Trish, Alex, and Sage is giving away two Mountain Wanderer hats from Steve Smith's bookshop in Lincoln, NH. That's right folks, not one but two hats. You have until 5:00pm on June 17th to get your names in the hat (bu dum bum) for this one. All you need to do is send Trish an email saying you want a hat and you're entered. Head over to Trish's blog for more details on the giveaway.