Cocoa Beach Bike Ride
On Sunday, October31, my husband and I participated in the 28th annual Intracoastal Waterway Century Ride. This was a 102.5 mile road bike ride which started and ended in historic Cocoa Village, Florida. My husband and I did the ride through our local Team in Training chapter. A complete report of the ride can be read on my Bike Diva blog: 2010 Cocoa Beach Century Ride.
Above: Helium 4 Fuel Belt with 4 small water bottles and storage pocket.
Team in Training Pasta Party
The night before the ride, Team in Training hosts a pasta party for all the TNT chapters participating in the event. This year approximately 36 riders from the Central Florida, South Florida and Palm Beach chapters participated in the event and raised almost $100,000 to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Socieity find a cure for various blood cancers.
Above: Close up of Helium 4 Fuel Belt, showing a single water bottle and zippered storage pocket.
Team in Training Swag
After the pasta party, our chapter had a team meeting to go over last minute ride details. At the meeting, any participants that exceeded their fundraising goals of $1,750, were given special recognition and a variety of cool Team in Training swag. Palm Beach chapter team member Micki Fetterman raised over $9,000 and got all sorts of cool TNT swag. One of her gifts was a Team in Training branded Helium 4 hydration belt made by Fuel Belt.
Above: You can run, walk or hike with the Helium 4, using 1, 2,3 or all 4 of the bottles filled with water or elelctrolyte solution.
Run Diva Gets Swag
I was sitting next to Micki when she received the Fuel Belt. She said it wasn't something she would ever use. She knows I do a lot of running and asked if I would like it. AWESOME! I had been looking at getting another Fuel Belt, I currently have a pink Crush Fuel Belt which holds a single, large 22 ounce water bottle. I had been looking at the Fuel Belts which carry multiple, smaller bottles. So the Helium 4, which holds 4 eight ounce bottles was perfect. Thanks Micki!
Above: Stylish Helium 4 Fuel Belt in Team in Training colors.
Here are the details of the Helium 4 Fuel Belt:
- Lightweight helium 3-D ventilated foam pads provide highest level of breathability and comfort
- Four 8 oz. bottles evenly distributed
- Knit elastic with velcro closure
- Detachable race pocket
- Reflective piping keeps you visible
- Bottles are dishwasher safe
- Total Volume: 32 oz.
- Sizes: S (27-29), M (30-32), L (33-35), XL (36-38)
- Color: TNT Purple
- MSRP: $45.95
Run Diva's Workout
I tested out the Helium 4 Fuel Belt for the first time on Wednesday. I used it during the second run portion of my multi sport workout. Since I was going for a short run, I decided to only fill up two of the four water bottles. The storage pocket was perfect for carrying my car keys, and on longer runs I would also place my ID and a few $$ in the pocket.
- 1 mile warm up run - I don't carry hydration with me on really short runs
- 30 minutes upper body and core work with personal trainer - I bring a hand held water bottle with me to the gym
- 17 mile tri bike ride - I use a Profile Design aero water bottle on my tri bike
- 3.25 mile run - I used the Helium 4 Fuel Belt on this portion of my workout
Above: Official Fuel Belt photo of the Team in Training Helium 4 hydration belt.
Run Diva's Final Verdict
I think the Helium 4 Fuel Belt is going to work out really well for my medium to long training runs. I run mostly on road, but also do a bit of trail running. I like the Helium 4 storage pocket, besides my keys and ID, I can also carry a gel pack or two when doing really long trainings. I might even use the Helium 4 at Miami Man on November 4. I will be racing in the 1/2 Ironman duathlon at Miami Man; which consists of a 1 mile run - 56 mile bike - 13.1 mile run. I will probably use the Helium 4 during the half marathon portion of the race.
Another Fuel Belt Review
Read my 2009 review of the Fuel Belt Crush Bottle Carrier.
Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Run Diva
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