Jim Kaese is a best selling author, successful corporate entrepreneur, and former nationally-ranked and sponsored athlete. In addition to a runner-up finish at the 2003 USA Triathlon Long Course Championships, and Ironman achievements, he has built from scratch and merged multi-million dollar companies and co-hosted live television broadcasts.
Along with his wife, Erin, Jim presently serves as co-founder/managing member of Athletic-Minded Traveler, LLC, which operates the largest healthy-travel content site on the web (www.athleticmindedtraveler.com). Hailed as a vital resource for road warriors and sporadic travelers alike, the web portal boasts thousands of first-hand reviews of hotels, health clubs, lap pools, run routes, restaurants, bike shops and more.
Kaese also creates healthy lifestyle content for commercial airline in-flight magazines and the hotel industry, and generates online custom wellness and work-life solutions for Fortune 500 firms.
When he’s not racking up frequent flier miles, Jim enjoys doggie-paddling in the pool with his 2-year-old daughter and volunteer-coaching an Indiana University cycling team that competes in the annual Little 500—made famous in the movie Breaking Away.
Active Expert: Jim Kaese
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese
If you travel...at all...for business, pleasure, and/or races...stay in touch with the latest trends, tips, deals and more by reading Jim Kaese's Blog!Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:28:02 GMTJive SBS 4.5.5.2 (http://jivesoftware.com/products/clearspace/)2009-07-30T04:28:02ZArena X-Glide Body Suit for Ironman Hawaii Swim
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/07/29/arena-xglide-body-suit-for-ironman-hawaii-swim
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:e4f31a89-27fd-4537-9260-7acbc588a8dd] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p><em>Jim Kaese is Co-Founder of Athletic-Minded Traveler, LLC, a healthy lifestyle multimedia company that operates the largest healthy-travel site on the web at <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.athleticmindedtraveler.com/">http://www.athleticmindedtraveler.com/</a>, creates content for various corporate licensees, and generates online</em></p><p><em>custom wellness and work-life solutions for Fortune 500 employers.</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>Those familiar with Ironman Hawaii know that wetsuits are not allowed during the swim.  However, swim bodysuits are legal and with the recent results of the Arena X-Glide Body Suit at this year's swimming World Championships in Rome, Kona participants<del>especially those with a slow swim</del>may want to consider buying one.</strong></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>Swimmers wearing the suit (which will be banned by FINA in May 2010) have shattered multiple long standing records over the past couple of days.  Even Michael Phelps was crushed by a German wearing the suit in the 200meter freestyle (Phelps is sponsored by Speedo).  The Italian company would be smart to get its product on the racks of U.S. swimstores in a hurry.</strong> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:e4f31a89-27fd-4537-9260-7acbc588a8dd] -->Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:42:27 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/07/29/arena-xglide-body-suit-for-ironman-hawaii-swim2009-07-30T04:42:27Z3 years, 10 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/arena-xglide-body-suit-for-ironman-hawaii-swimhttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=14883Chicago Triathlon Race Day and Travel Tips
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/06/27/chicago-triathlon-race-day-and-travel-tips
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:7f1c882b-9fdc-4704-bcf1-116d36bdfe45] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p><em>Jim Kaese is Co-Founder of Athletic-Minded Traveler, LLC, a healthy lifestyle multimedia company that operates the largest healthy-travel site on the web at <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.athleticmindedtraveler.com/">http://www.athleticmindedtraveler.com/</a>, creates content for various corporate licensees, and generates online custom wellness and work-life solutions for Fortune 500 employers.</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>As the largest triathlon in the world, the <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.chicagotriathlon.com/">Accenture Chicago Triathlon</a> is a popular race among beginners and veterans alike. Many of our members will be sweating along (and in) Lake Michigan in a few weeks, so we thought we would give some "insider" advice. Our staff has a collective 10+ years of Chicago tri experience. Here are some less obvious helpful hints to make it a great day:</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>CHICAGO TRIATHLON TIPS</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>1. Determine your own personal start time</strong> - the first wave may begin at 6am, but with more than 7500 participants, you could be in Wave #43 that doesn't get in the water till 930am. If you're going to be waiting, adjust your nutrition intake accordingly. A 5am pre-race breakfast eaten at home isn't going to help at 9am.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>2. Consider staying overnight at a hotel across the park</strong> - even if you live downtown, a stay at the <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.chicagotriathlon.com/06act/stay.htm">Hilton</a> or any other hotel along Grant Park/South Michigan Ave. should be considered-especially if you followed recommendation #1 and determined that you have a 90 minute wait or more once the first Wave takes off. In the past, I've stayed overnight at the Hilton, checked my bike into transition and organized my gear, walked back to the hotel, and chilled in my air-conditioned room on a comfortable bed for an hour while other participants made the most of the firm and crowded grassy slopes along Monroe Harbor. You can find other <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/cities/stay_here_list.php?city=12">reliable Chicago hotel and pre-race healthy restaurant recommendations by clicking on this hotlink.</a> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>3. Be certain of your transition spot</strong> - make no doubt about it, the Chicago Triathlon transition area is overwhelming. Knowing <em>exactly</em> where your bike and gear are can save you a ton of time. One year, we heard a racer lost 2 minutes trying to find his transition spot after coming in from the bike. If you can find a spot on the end of the rack or near a tree, that will help-but, you'll have to get to transition awfully early to snag one of those prime spots. Once your gear is all laid out, make 2 trial runs from each side of the transition area (swim-in and bike-in). The bike-in is more difficult because you don't have a large 2-wheeler to help spot your spot. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>4. Stay calm in the water</strong> - Don't go into this race thinking you're going to set a swim personal record. The available space in the harbor is <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.cmrf.org/Images/NewsManager/Chicago_btn.jpg">narrrow</a>. And with so many waves of people, you will be bumped, pushed, and hit. Also you'll find yourself meandering around a multitude of slower swimmers who started ahead.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>5. Pedal slowly around the bike turn-around</strong> - it's narrow and sharp so take your time around the turn and accelerate hard once heading back south-but, watch out for water bottles lying on the ground. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>6. Make your run a negative-split</strong> - most runners in any distance race start out too fast in the first half of the run. Hold back during the first half, kick it in during the second, and watch all the people that passed you during the first miles drop off in the dust.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Have Fun!!</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:7f1c882b-9fdc-4704-bcf1-116d36bdfe45] -->chicagotriathlontipsSun, 28 Jun 2009 03:39:06 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/06/27/chicago-triathlon-race-day-and-travel-tips2009-06-28T03:39:06Z3 years, 11 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/chicago-triathlon-race-day-and-travel-tipshttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=14461Free Silicon Valley Travel Recommendations
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/05/28/free-silicon-valley-travel-recommendations
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:b41cb64a-6961-4c92-a5d7-538bca0a9603] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>If biz or vacation has you traveling to Silicon Valley, be sure to check out our athletic-minded lifestyle recommendations for Milpitas, Santa Clara, <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/cities/stay_here_list.php?city=46">San Jose</a> (airport and downtown), <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/cities/stay_here_list.php?city=46&area=145">Sunnyvale</a>, Mountain View, <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/cities/stay_here_list.php?city=46&area=146">Palo Alto</a> and Cupertino.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Our staff toured <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/cities/work_out.php?id=865">Silicon Valley health clubs</a>, <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/cities/stay_here.php?id=790">hotels</a>, lap pools, run routes, <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/cities/eat_well_list.php?city=46">Silicon Valley healthy restaurants</a>, state parks and a whole lot more! Best of all, this destination information is provided FREE to all comers.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Safe and sweaty travels!</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:b41cb64a-6961-4c92-a5d7-538bca0a9603] -->runrouteshotelsvegetarianlapgymrestaurantsvalleyvalleyvalleyvalleyvalleyhotelsiliconsiliconsiliconsiliconsiliconpoolspaloaltoThu, 28 May 2009 23:17:01 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/05/28/free-silicon-valley-travel-recommendations2009-05-28T23:17:01Z4 years, 3 weeks ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/free-silicon-valley-travel-recommendationshttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=14205Steve Larsen...RIP
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/05/21/steve-larsenrip
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:ad332a5e-a37a-4920-984f-3af57c7129e0] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>Most have already heard that one of our fellow triathletes, Steve Larsen (39), died on Tuesday evening during the beginning of a group track workout in Bend, Oregon. Preliminary autopsy results have eliminated blood clot or heart attack as a cause. Further testing is being performed. Steve raced professionally on the triathlon circuit for several years after an impressive mountain (NORBA champion) and road (Team Motorola) career.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>While Steve now rests in a better place, his family and friends must remain strong for his wife and five children. A memorial fund has already been established. Donations are welcomed at:</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><strong>Steve Larsen Memorial Fund</strong></p><p><strong>Umpqua Bank</strong></p><p><strong>390 SW Century Drive</strong></p><p><strong>Suite 100</strong></p><p><strong>Bend OR 97702</strong></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:ad332a5e-a37a-4920-984f-3af57c7129e0] -->Fri, 22 May 2009 00:36:04 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/05/21/steve-larsenrip2009-05-22T00:36:04Z4 years, 4 weeks ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/steve-larsenriphttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=14139Silicon Valley Healthy Lifestyle
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/05/07/silicon-valley-healthy-lifestyle
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:e42a2447-a7d9-4348-8842-9ca9fd48f74e] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>During the past couple of weeks we have been "knee deep" in <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/">Silicon Valley healthy lifestyle</a> content. Photos, hotel recommendations, health club discoveries, running path descriptions, healthy restaurant reviews...you name it.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>We're excited to be releasing content for EIGHT, yes 8, separate areas in Silicon Valley: Downtown San Jose, San Jose Airport, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto and Cupertino...whew! It will be one of our most in-depth destinations to date (this high-tech area has been a long time coming). Here's a sneak peak at the recommendation for one of our favorite Silicon Valley hotels:</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><em>After spending a night at</em> <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://santaclara.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp">this Santa Clara</a> <em>hotel, we believe Hyatt can accurately boast owning one of the healthiest hotels in Silicon Valley. Convention-goers, Great America theme park adventurers and business travelers will appreciate the property's convenient location, tasteful rooms, lively bar and thoughtful service. But it is Hyatt's first class fitness options that really get our heart thumping (pun intended).</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><em>The third floor gym serves up a healthy dose of top notch cardio and strength equipment. Generous helpings of Life Fitness treadmills, ellipticals, bikes and a stepper are offered-all sporting attached personal viewing TV screens. Muscle-pumpers are treated just as well with an assortment of five separate, selectorized-weight stations that cover nearly every body part and a 5-50 lbs. dumbbell set. The contrasting black floors and white walls are a little heavy (especially without any windows)-the room's ambiance could be softened a bit with earth tones, but this is picky. Complimentary headphones and sweat towels are available.</em> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><em>Joggers should seriously consider an outdoor jaunt along the nearby San Tomas Creek Trail-pick up a palm-size route map from the concierge or front desk.</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><em>Lap swimmers will want to drive five minutes to the Decathlon Club ($20 admission) as Hyatt's outdoor pool, while a perfect respite for catching a few rays or a leisurely dip, is not conducive to meaningful back and forth yardage.</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><em>Despite the stellar workout facilities, motivating yourself to leave Hyatt's charming guest quarters will pose a challenge. Modern and contemporary themes dominate the rooms as well as 21st Century technology. Bright white and bold blue tones lift traveler spirits. Flat panel televisions, Ipod docking stations and high-speed internet keep you connected. And, marvelous baths reveal creative design concepts not typically found in hotels.</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><em>If you're fortunate or savvy enough to obtain access to the Regency Club, prepare to be impressed. Staff goes out of its way to spoil Regency guests inside the first floor private lounge. Full breakfasts, upscale restaurant-quality evening snacks, and unlimited cocktails will keep your stomach more than satisfied. And, a vast selection of periodicals, three computer work-stations, and several plasma televisions offer for stimulation for the mind. The lounge's location is somewhat unusual-typically located on the same floor as the Regency rooms-but we found the quick elevator rides up/down far from inconvenient.</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><em>Bottom Line: After spending a few days here, you may be reluctant to return home. &lt;/em&gt;</em></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:e42a2447-a7d9-4348-8842-9ca9fd48f74e] -->Thu, 07 May 2009 21:44:12 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/05/07/silicon-valley-healthy-lifestyle2009-05-07T21:44:12Z4 years, 1 month ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/silicon-valley-healthy-lifestylehttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=13941Ironman Hawaii Lottery Winners Announced!
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/04/15/ironman-hawaii-lottery-winners-announced
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:f6741ac1-c8a7-42fd-9613-12de74a4a743] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>Congrats to the <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://ironman.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship/lottery/congratulations-to-the-2009-lottery-winners-who-will-race-in-kona-this-october">150 lucky triathletes</a> who got what they wished for --- an opportunity to become a true "Ironman" and finish the Kona race in less than 17 hours.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>A few Athletic-Minded Traveler subscribers made the cut and our guess is that they'll be using our <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/">travel portal</a> a lot more. Be sure to tell your spouses and kids that you're gonna hardly see them this summer!</p><p>Some hard core triathletes "poo poo" the lottery as an undeserved welfare-like program-the argument goes something like, "they didn't earn their spot so why are they allowed to compete at a World Championship when everyone else had to qualify?" But, we beg to differ. Many triathlon-lovers out there hold down 60-80/hour week year-round jobs that make it next to impossible to find enough time to train and qualify for Kona-especially if you want to see your kids. And, I believe, with enough free time to train, almost anyone can qualify for Kona. That's one of the reasons why teachers with Summers off are commonly on the start-line in Hawaii. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Why not let a few others share the Kona experience with their family and friends each year?</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:f6741ac1-c8a7-42fd-9613-12de74a4a743] -->Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:17:57 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/04/15/ironman-hawaii-lottery-winners-announced2009-04-15T17:17:57Z4 years, 2 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/ironman-hawaii-lottery-winners-announcedhttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=13458Drinking Hot Coffee and Tea is Like Smoking 2-packs a day!
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/04/09/drinking-hot-coffee-and-tea-is-like-smoking-2packs-a-day
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:f825c983-e822-4634-9d25-2c6822161ea4] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>My wife, Erin, and I just discovered that drinking hot beverages can raise your risk of esophogeal cancer by 800%! Erin had an ENT look at her throat this past week and she gives the alarming details here:</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/blog/index.php">http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/blog/index.php</a></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:f825c983-e822-4634-9d25-2c6822161ea4] -->Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:17:33 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/04/09/drinking-hot-coffee-and-tea-is-like-smoking-2packs-a-day2009-04-10T05:17:33Z4 years, 2 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/drinking-hot-coffee-and-tea-is-like-smoking-2packs-a-dayhttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=13342"Belgian Knee Warmers"
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/03/26/belgian-knee-warmers
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:64addbb2-abb1-49a7-ab0b-17847f0a1fc9] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>With the recent time change, my 630am bike rides have become somewhat colder. Keeping my upper body warm is easy<del>layers, arm warmers, etc.</del>but until recently I struggled to keep my legs warm, especially during the first 30 minutes of the ride. The crisp morning air would pierce into my knees and create stiffness and an annoying (not severe) amount of knee pain.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>I tried wearing leg warmers, which are helpful for those bitter cold winter days, but I find them restrictive and too warm after 30 minutes in the saddle when the temps are above 45F. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>A chiropractor friend, <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/bankers-hill-chiropractic-san-diego">Ken Lounsbury</a> (also an impressive cyclist), introduced me to what he calls the "Belgian knee warmer". </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><a href="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/38-13139-7686/sombra+jar.gif"><img height="267" src="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-13139-7686/310-267/sombra+jar.gif" width="310"/></a>  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Sombra is a jelly-like cream that heats upon contact with the skin. Unlike Ben-Gay and Icy Hot, Sombra uses all natural ingredients and seems to last longer too (2 hours into my rides I still feel it). Before jumping on the bike, I dip two finger tips into the jar and rub on/around my knees. A little Sombra goes a long way. The heat starts within seconds. There is a strong peppermint-like scent, so I normally apply it outside to spare my family the smell. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>It works like a charm. No aches, no pains and no cold bones. I've shared Sombra with several friends and family members who now all use it consistently for cold rides and runs. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Purchase the "Belgian Knee Warmer" via Amazon.com or various other online retailers--just Google it. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>PS - Sombra also could help keep NFL fans warm while attending a winter home game </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:64addbb2-abb1-49a7-ab0b-17847f0a1fc9] -->Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:47:56 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/03/26/belgian-knee-warmers2009-03-26T21:47:56Z4 years, 2 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/belgian-knee-warmershttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=131392009 Tour of California Podium Girls Video
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/03/06/2009-tour-of-california-podium-girls-video
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:ac0c899f-029a-4c6e-a7f3-fe764a19e956] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>Hard hitting interview from "Yours Truly" -- not really, but I did find it interesting how much (or little) knowledge about cycling is required for the job. Nevertheless, I'd say Joanna and Kristen were a big hit.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><embed allowfullscreen="true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="@videoPlayer=14225993001&playerID=14306356001&domain=embed&" height="412" name="flashObj" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" seamlesstabbing="false" src="" swliveconnect="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="486"></embed></p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:ac0c899f-029a-4c6e-a7f3-fe764a19e956] -->cyclingamgen-tour-of-californiajim-kaeseathletic-minded-travelerpodium-girlsFri, 06 Mar 2009 21:33:40 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/03/06/2009-tour-of-california-podium-girls-video2009-03-06T21:33:40Z4 years, 3 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/2009-tour-of-california-podium-girls-videohttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=12834Sex on a Plane
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/03/03/sex-on-a-plane
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:8896201a-4302-4f5c-8855-60abe0e58e6f] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>Grabbed your attention, didn't we? Well, get your mind out of the gutter! This is not a blog about the "Mile High Club". But, <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.southwest.com/">Southwest Airlines</a> is taking a page out of Donald Trump's, "Sex Sells" book with a 737-size image of Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Bar Refaeli on the side of one of its planes.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><a href="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/38-12782-7479/swimsuit+model.jpg"><img height="209" src="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-12782-7479/310-209/swimsuit+model.jpg" width="310"/></a> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>If nothing else, the "SI One" (short for Sports Illustrated One) is generating a lot of media buzz. But how will Southwest measure whether this marketing strategy is successful? If it's general media buzz, then it appears to be a home run. But, will it put people in the seats? I doubt it. Unless, of course flight attendants working on SI One (both male and female) will don beach attire. Um, on second thought, maybe that wouldn't be such a great sight. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>This strategy could offend some potential customers too - many believe that such images only reinforce women as sex objects and nothing more. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>I give Southwest (and its ad/pr firm) kudos for their creativity. But, if they were REALLY clever and creative, they would have put this swimsuit model's image on one side of the plane and combined it with an action shot of a female swimmer (e.g., Dara Torres, Amanda Beard) or soccer or tennis player on the plane's opposite side. Now, THAT would have been cool!! </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><span>!</span><a class="jive-link-external-small" href="/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-12782-7480/amanda+beard.jpg">http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-12782-7480/amanda+beard.jpg</a><span>! </span></p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:8896201a-4302-4f5c-8855-60abe0e58e6f] -->Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:08:18 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/03/03/sex-on-a-plane2009-03-03T20:08:18Z4 years, 3 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/sex-on-a-planehttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=12782Tour of California Interview Fun
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/02/23/tour-of-california-interview-fun
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:c0e38a65-f7c7-4608-82de-6ec97b6b8512] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>Our <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/">Athletic-Minded Traveler</a> video </p><p>crew had a blast interviewing cyclists, mechanics, fans, and even the podium </p><p>ladies at the Tour of California's final stage in San Diego. Everyone was happy </p><p>to talk to us, even the time-crunched and focused riders. Here are a few still </p><p>shots (although not shown, Chris Horner also was gracious enough to speak to us) -- we're editing the video footage and should have some over shortly.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><a href="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/38-12654-7434/Christian+Vandevelde+intvw+shot.JPG"><img height="232" src="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-12654-7434/310-232/Christian+Vandevelde+intvw+shot.JPG" width="310"/></a></p><p><a href="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/38-12654-7435/Hincapie+intvw+shot.JPG"><img height="232" src="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-12654-7435/310-232/Hincapie+intvw+shot.JPG" width="310"/></a> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><a href="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/38-12654-7436/Tyler+Hamilton+intvw+shot.JPG"><img height="232" src="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-12654-7436/310-232/Tyler+Hamilton+intvw+shot.JPG" width="310"/></a> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p><a href="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/38-12654-7437/Chris+Baldwin+intvw+shot.JPG"><img height="232" src="http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/38-12654-7437/310-232/Chris+Baldwin+intvw+shot.JPG" width="310"/></a> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:c0e38a65-f7c7-4608-82de-6ec97b6b8512] -->Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:54:57 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/02/23/tour-of-california-interview-fun2009-02-23T23:54:57Z4 years, 3 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/tour-of-california-interview-funhttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=12654Don't Do This!
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/02/15/dont-do-this
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:c1c2b7f5-a93a-4890-b638-9e6ce42df324] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>We come into contact with hudreds, well probably thousands of people who are active, athletic, slim and trim. Some are marathoners, some are ironmen/women, some are century-ride cyclists, others are long distance swimmers. In addition to their love of long distance sports, many of these high metablolism athletes also LOVE to eat. And, they believe that since their workouts are so grueling or time-consuming (maybe 1, 2, 3 hours/day or more), they can take pleasure in eating whatever they want, whenever they want it. Full slabs of ribs, french fries, pizzas with extra cheese--the flawed mentality goes something like this, "I work out a lot so I can eat whatever I want," or "I need Big Mac's and 4-egg omelets to maintain my weight."</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>These easy to accept eating patterns are actually VERY dangerous. The exercise may be enough to keep the pounds off, but for many the plaque continues to build along the artery walls. We know many triathletes, runners, swimmers, and cyclists, who thought that their avid exercise was enough to keep them healthy and fit. Some learned the hard way, after suffering a heart attack, that the toned body they saw in the mirror was not an accurate reflection of their internal well-being. Most are more fortunate by receiving an eye-opening lab test that shows their total cholesterol levels skyrocketing above 180 (the current recommended level for total cholesterol). </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating going cold turkey from Quesadillas and sour cream, or my favorite Carl's Jr. red meat delights (although eliminating bacon and gyros, two foods in the American diet with some of the highest fat totals, would probably be a good decision). Just don't eat these high fat/big calorie meals more than once or twice per week. And, please, please, get an annual physical with a cholesterol test after turning 30. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>You take your bike in for an annual tune-up don't ya? </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:c1c2b7f5-a93a-4890-b638-9e6ce42df324] -->Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:33:43 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/02/15/dont-do-this2009-02-16T05:33:43Z4 years, 4 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/dont-do-thishttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=12523Freebie Alert! Free Grandslam at Denny's on Feb 3rd
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/02/01/freebie-alert-free-grandslam-at-dennys-on-feb-3rd
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:346a0286-982b-4557-a3c7-b984396bfbc4] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>In case you missed their Superbowl commercial or DVR'd through it, Denny's will be giving away <strong>one free Grand Slam breakfast (2 eggs, 2 sausage, 2 pancakes) per customer on Tuesday, February 3rd, from 6am to 2pm</strong>. From what I can gather this offer is without a catch. You may want to call and confirm with your local Denny's that they're running the promotion. Then, get there early because the info that I've found suggests that they will be giving away coupons and when they run out, the deal is over.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Also supposed to be a full page advertisement in Monday's USA Today.</p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:346a0286-982b-4557-a3c7-b984396bfbc4] -->Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:00:13 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/02/01/freebie-alert-free-grandslam-at-dennys-on-feb-3rd2009-02-02T05:00:13Z4 years, 4 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/freebie-alert-free-grandslam-at-dennys-on-feb-3rdhttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=12317Identifying True Lap Pools
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/01/17/identifying-true-lap-pools
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:1f8ded8c-d16f-4e8e-9f21-476ea9ba71ba] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>I'm always amazed how much confusion there is about what is and what is not a <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/">lap pool</a>. Here are some criteria to help those uninformed land-loving souls identify true lap pools:</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>A. If the pool is any shape other than a rectangle...this includes kidney, round, S-shaped, etc., it is NOT a lap pool. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>B. If the pool is NOT at least 20 yards in length (preferably 25 yards), it is NOT a lap pool. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>C. If the pool does not have features that help swimmers get from end to end in a straight line (e.g., bottom stripes or floating lane lines), it is not a lap pool. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>D. If there are no men swimming in tight and tiny Speedos (or TYRs - we want to be brand neutral), it's probably not a lapper. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>E. If the pool water is kept at such a warm temperature that floating octogenarians are a common sight, I'd venture that it is NOT a lap pool. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>F. Finally, if a waterslide empties into one end of your pool, preventing flipturns on that side, it is NOT a lapper. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Let's review. To be considered a lap pool, it must be:</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><ul><li level="1" type="ul"><p>at least 20 yards in length</p></li><li level="1" type="ul"><p>rectangular in shape</p></li><li level="1" type="ul"><p>kept at or near 80F degrees, and</p></li></ul><p>have bottom stripes or floating lane lines stretching from end to end. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;">  </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Tour our <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://athleticmindedtraveler.com/">travel portal</a> to find some of the best lap pools in the world.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:1f8ded8c-d16f-4e8e-9f21-476ea9ba71ba] -->Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:41:33 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2009/01/17/identifying-true-lap-pools2009-01-17T21:41:33Z4 years, 5 months ago0http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/identifying-true-lap-poolshttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=12054White Christmas and New Year
http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2008/12/31/white-christmas-and-new-year
<!-- [DocumentBodyStart:809f0def-5642-47cf-aceb-4bcd1c461497] --><div class="jive-rendered-content"><p>Growing up in Chicago, my family often vacationed over Christmas to the ski resorts of the West. <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://skiwinterpark.com/">Winter Park, Colorado</a>, was one of our favorite destinations. Vail, Steamboat, and Heavenly also found our travel calendar. I'm thankful to my parents for taking me and my two brothers to the mountains each year, not only because we learned how to ski...and became pretty good at it (not going to happen on the midwest bumps like Wilmot "Mountain")...but the cold weather adventures reinforced a White Christmas tradition. </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Now, in my mind, snow and Christmas go together like Peanut Butter N' Jelly...a burger and fries...a workout and sweat. When we spend Christmas at home in San Diego, the lack of white powder on the ground leaves me with a longing feeling-jealous of anyone in the immediate presence of snow.</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>This year, my White Christmas craving is more than satisfied. We're spending the holiday with family in Sisters, Oregon, where the Cascades have been blessed with 3 feet of snow in the last week! </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p>Merry Christmas to all and to all a good sweat!!</p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="min-height: 8pt; height: 8pt; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><!-- [DocumentBodyEnd:809f0def-5642-47cf-aceb-4bcd1c461497] -->Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:05:41 GMTguesthttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/2008/12/31/white-christmas-and-new-year2008-12-31T16:05:41Z4 years, 5 months ago10http://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/comment/white-christmas-and-new-yearhttp://community.active.com/blogs/JimKaese/feeds/comments?blogPost=11731
