Category: SLS3

Guest Post: Washing Your Lycra-Containing Garments With SLS3 + A Discount!

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Thanks to SLS3 for putting together this post! You may remember this as the brand that made the running belt I reviewed toward the beginning of the year. They make a lot of other running accessories and garments, so naturally they know a lot about proper handling of synthetic fabrics. Read on for lots of cleaning and laundering tips, and for a discount at the end!


Handle with Care
You’ve spent your hard earned money on your exercise gear like Running Shorts or Compression Socks and now it’s time to put it to the test. After a grueling workout, you and your Lycra®-containing gear are ready for a bath. By the way, Spandex is the generic Lycra® version. Lycra® is a brand name trademarked by DuPont.

After Your Workout
As much as we hate it, we’re all drenched in sweat after a good workout, which means our clothes are, too. If you don’t have time to wash your clothes right after your workout, or you’re too tired like me, then hang dry your workout clothes, making sure there are no wrinkle or overlaps. This prevents your gear from turning into a mildew breeding ground. Gross! It also helps prevent weird stenches from staying trapped inside your clothes.

Getting the Stink Out
The best method for remedying smelly gym clothes is to give them a prewash. Soak your Lycra® outfits in one part vinegar, and four parts water for at least 30 minutes before hand washing, or throwing them into the washing machine. Rinse your clothes thoroughly before washing them to get rid of any vinegar.

Some Dont’s to Remember
Do not mix vinegar and bleach ever! If your detergent contains bleach rinse out your vinegar soaked clothes before throwing them in the washer. Do not use vinegar in the rinse cycle of your washer if your detergent contains bleach. Do not use heat for any of your Lycra® garments. Heat will destroy the elastic properties aka the Lycra® fibers of your outfits. Avoid the dryer, ironing and the sun. Remember: Heat is bad. Do not use chlorine or bleach. This will destroy the fibers of the fabric and you will get “bag and sag” syndrome. Do not use Fabric Softener. These are used to soften clothes and will make sure your expensive garment will never retain its shape. Avoid the fabric softener.

In the Wash They Go
Although it is said that hand washing is always the way to go, most of us don’t have time for that. Don’t fret though! It is safe for your Lycra® garments to go into the washing machine following these steps. First, make sure that all of your zippered garments are zipped all the way up to prevent the zipper track from snagging onto other fabric during the washing cycle. Turn your clothes inside out. Put delicate items into a mesh laundry bag, lingerie bag, or pillowcase to protect them (Definitely do this for Bib Shorts). 


https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQmaPkHmY54/V88V0lLE_hI/AAAAAAAAIV4/BigqxUMt64A4kcrgrhRWSYRYnmN42vahwCLcB/s1600/11410350_1411614165835934_530994938_n.jpg
                                                                       picture courtesy of instagram

The Set-Up
If you are worried that a pre-soak just won’t cut it for getting all the smells out, you can put some vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser of your washer. This will make sure your washer will dispense vinegar in the rinse cycle. Always use cold water when washing your Lycra® garments. Heat will destroy them. Set your washer on the “Delicates” setting to prevent damage of your clothes.

Less is More?
Use less detergent than you normally would for your Lycra® clothes. While detergent cleans your clothes, you definitely don’t want a build up of it on your workout clothes. A build up of detergent will trap in dead skin cells and trap bacteria into the fabric. If you want to make sure your clothes last, try a detergent designed for washing workout clothes.  

Finishing Touches
After the washing cycle has been finished, hang your clothes up, or lay them down flat to dry. Never put them in the dryer. Remember heat is not friendly to Lycra® clothes. Lycra® is a fast drying fiber so your clothes should not take too long to air dry.
Again, thanks to SLS3 for all the awesome info! Bonus: use promo code BLOG40 at the SLS3 site to get 40% off your purchase. They’ve got lots of tri and running gear, so check it out!
Don’t forget, you can follow us on Twitter @fairestrunofall. To see how our training is going, check out Jenn’s dailymile here and Moon’s dailymile here. If you have any questions for us, leave a comment or email us at fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!

In Which Jenn Corrals More Discounts

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Discounts! I have more running-related discounts! I’m thinking of making this a monthly thing. Thoughts?

SLS3 is offering their compression foot sleeve for $19.90 – a $20 discount – in exchange for an Amazon review (on the honor system as far as I can tell.). The sleeve is designed to provide arch support and relieve plantar fasciitis if that’s your deal. It comes in different sizes so you can customize your fit.

If you’re in my neck of the woods, Groupon has a pretty good deal for The Great Inflatable Race on June 18 in DC – $29.99 for registration (normally $75). I for one have never been much for this sort of obstacle course thing, but if it’s your bag then it’s a worthwhile expenditure.

Also for my locals: run the Navy-Air Force Half with me! Prices went up on April 1, but you can bring them back down by $10 with code ACTNOW201. Code will also work on the 10k but the discount is only $5 in that case.

Another race you can run with me is the Zooma Half Annapolis – use code CYNTHIA16 to get 10% off. This code also works on any other race in the series, so if there’s one in a city close to you, have at it!

Also – and there’s no guarantee on this one, but I wanted to share – if you’re a Target denizen, I scored a pair of clearance running capris for $8 there yesterday, the fancier kind that used to be $25. They also had a bunch of reasonably cute workout tops in clearance if you’re in the market for long sleeves; that is, if you haven’t run a million runDisney races and wish desperately they’d look into a different sleeve length.

That’s all for this installment! Got a discount I didn’t mention here? Sound off in the comments!

Don’t forget, you can follow us on Twitter @fairestrunofall. To see how our training is going, check out Jenn’s dailymile here and Moon’s dailymile here. If you have any questions for us, leave a comment or email us at fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!

In Which Jenn Wrangles A Bunch Of Discounts

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Nothing so impressive as my wildly cheap running shoes, but I’ve collected some deals and steals for ya!

First up, a couple from former giveaway sponsors: if you have Target’s Cartwheel app (if you don’t, you SHOULD; it’s awesome), Soapbox Soaps shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash are 35% off. Yowza. Find the deal under the Beauty category, add it to your barcode, have the cashier scan it at check out, and there you are!

Bonus: while at Target yesterday I spotted a hot pink running belt in the $1-$5 section (usually near the entrance; the upstairs entrance at my location) for $5. No idea about the quality, but it’s hot pink and $5 so if you’re in the market it might be worth a shot. They’re also offering yurbuds sport headphones on sale to varying degrees depending on the model.

Alternatively, we have another former giveaway sponsor: SLS3 has a new Amazon Prime store and is celebrating with some special discounts! First, they’re offering their new HipZIPP running belt for $14.99 on Amazon with code 83MTRL2I. I haven’t used this precise model myself but it’s a good deal and it looks pretty nifty. There’s a catch, though – you have to leave a review on Amazon within 20 days. Still, that’s a reasonable trade for such a great price, don’t you think?

Also from SLS3: their FXC Compression Sleeves are only $19.90 with code 5CDNT8O2. Same deal: gotta leave a review, but that’s quite the markdown in exchange.

Or if you prefer themed sock, PRO Compression is offering their St. Paddy’s Day compression socks for 40% with code SROCK. Festive!

Last but not least for the locals, Groupon has entries to the 5KColorFest fun run in Alexandria, VA for $29, down from $70. Color runs aren’t really my thing, but lots of people LOVE them, so if you’ve never tried one this is a great chance to give it a go.

Anyone else have any awesome deals out there?

Don’t forget, you can follow us on Twitter @fairestrunofall. To see how our training is going, check out Jenn’s dailymile here and Moon’s dailymile here. If you have any questions for us, leave a comment or email us at fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!

The Fairest Giveaway (& Review) Of All: SLS3 Dual Pocket Running Belt

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Settle in, folks – it’s time for giveaway #2. BUT FIRST: a review of the product you could win!

I was contacted about a month ago by SLS3 with an offer to try out their Dual Pocket Running Belt, categorized as for women and billed as waterproof. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of a running belt, but I was always leery of the potential fit issues (more on this in a bit). But here was an opportunity to try one out for free – why not take the shot? A couple weeks later I had it in hand and took it for a run.

The dual pocket running belt is of unassuming but practical design. There are two zippered compartments, both of which stretch to accommodate I can only assume just about anything you’d want to jam in there. The smaller pocket wasn’t long enough for my iPhone 6+, but the larger worked fine. I’m not saying you could cram an iPad mini in there, but I’m not not saying that. You could totally fit your phone, keys, credit cards, AND snacks all at once as long as you Tetrised it out properly.

Modeled here by my trusty 2008 iPhone, which lives a second life as my iPod.

Before we get to the running experience: about those body fit issues. See, I have what you might term a bit of junk in a trunk. A badonkadonk. An ass, as they say, that does not quit, even when you kind of wish it would. It gets going higher up on the torso than your average butt. As such, I look upon any sort of hip-wrapping item with extreme suspicion, and this belt was no exception. It was in the name of science that I placed the belt around my hips all the same and started running.

And it worked – sort of – at first. The creep was soooo slow and subtle as to be nearly imperceptible. I had to slide it back down my hips every five minutes or so, which isn’t that bad, all things considering – I mean, it’s not like there was any annoying bouncing or anything going on, and really I was being preemptive; it didn’t move THAT far. Ultimately, though, I decided that the best thing to do would be to hike it up to my waist proper, tighten it all the way, and see how that worked.

In a word: well! On my waist the belt stayed just fine, and I found a frequently forgot I was even wearing it, even with my iPhone ensconced within. As for waterproof… ness, it wasn’t raining in the gym but I DID sweat on it a bit when it was at my hips and the phone came out dry.

I call this a success and will not hesitate to slap this belt on when the warmer months hit and I start running outdoors again. It’ll be perfect for storing mid-run fuel and, most importantly, my keys.

In short: if on-the-hip is a priority for you and/or you have a butt of some renown, skip this belt. If you’re cool with having the belt sit at your waist, it’s a good deal and I can pretty much guarantee it’ll hold any reasonable thing you want it to hold in some quantity (minus a water bottle, although I think they offer hydration belts as well). It even comes with multiple zipper colors if you’re trying to match a costume.

You can get the SLS3 Dual Pocket Running Belt at their online store for about $30 OR, if you jump on it now, you can get it at their Amazon store for a mere $13. Not sure how long that deal will last, but you’ll be hard pressed to beat it.

Or if you’re very lucky, you can win it right here! SLS3 has graciously provided me with one Dual Pocket Running Belt to give away to my readers. Simply enter via the Rafflecopter below. You’ve got one week to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you use a running belt? Does your ass ever quit? Mine doesn’t.

 Don’t forget, you can follow us on Twitter @fairestrunofall. To see how our training is going, check out Jenn’s dailymile here and Moon’s dailymile here. If you have any questions for us, leave a comment or email us at fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!