I’m just barely back with the living after being out for days with some sort of nasty cold/respiratory flu.  No idea what it was but my ears are still ringing, my head is still pounding and my throat is still raw.  It is now pretty clear as to why my Sunday afternoon run was so craptastic.   A six miler is just about the perfect distance, not too long and not too short.  However on Sunday, I spent more time walking my country roads hoping my friend Nicki would drive by and pick my up then I did running.  I thought I was exhausted from too much traveling but within an hour of hauling my ass getting home from the “run”, I was very sick and in bed. 

I’m better now and it’s back to business.  What’s up on the agenda?  Another giveaway!  It’s no secret that Aspaeris Pivot Shorts are one of my favorite things.  I wear them a lot for running, working out, and even to bed around the house on those days where I feel like my quads are trashed.  My quads “feel the burn” more than the rest of my body when my miles climb,  I have to really pay attention to recovery.  I’ve found that the best way for me to recover is to use Aspaeris Pivot Shorts. 

This is why when I joined the ultra team for Ragnar Chicago earlier this year, Aspaeris was the FIRST company I contacted for sponsorship because I knew that I would need help recovering between legs in order to perform to the best of my ability.  Although my Ragnar dreams fell short for Chicago, I’m going to give it another go in Miami next month for the Ragnar Miami to Key West event.  My team, 2 Bros and 10 Does, will be running and recovering in Aspaeris.  Look for us in this kick ass Jeni Healy design below (printed by Family Fan Club)  along with the red Aspaeris Pivot Shorts.   I think we should be easy to spot!  🙂

For those of you who are new to Aspaeris, these shorts are billed as compression shorts.  While they work like normal compression shorts by compressing the legs/hips/glute muscles to keep the blood flowing for better performance and recovery, these shorts also have an added layer to guide muscles to help prevent injuries.  The official description is below:

Aspaeris Pivot Short™

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts™ are actually two pairs of shorts bonded together. The Outer Short is a high performance compression short designed to support your muscles. The Inner Short features our breakthrough, Dual Sensory Compression Bands™.

These cross-knit bands guide your muscles into the proper position, thereby improving your pivot performance, which helps prevent ACL and hip injuries.

The Aspaeris Pivot Short™ is not an ordinary compression short. Athletes who try the APS™ report feeling more confident in their ‘pivot moves’ and almost all feel more in control without being restricted.

They currently sell for $60 and are available in red, navy & black.  However, the word on the street is that 2013 will bring about some amazing changes for us Aspaeris lovers in the release of Gen2 short.  The Gen2 promises to deliver a better short with “enhanced fabric, fit and compression features”….. see the  excerpt from the press release below: 

The new APS Gen2™ boasts an improved fabric weave with reinforced seams that will extend the compression life of the short, as well as a stylish, colorblock logo. Additional features include a newly designed crotch, comfort waistband, and adjustability of the dual layers at the leg opening. Like the original Pivot Short, the Gen2 has an inner short with Dual Sensory Compression Bands™ that help guide the athlete into proper position while she pivots and runs, which powers performance, speeds recovery, and prevents injuries. The APS Gen2™ will be available in the New Year and will come in black and a newly-released Aspaeris pink. Aspaeris will also offer a special gift certificate for the Gen2 to current Pivot Short users.

So while all of you are whooooooping it up on New Year’s Eve, I’ll be sitting at my computer hoping they launch these shorts so I can get the new generation ASAP.  And yes, I already emailed them and begged them to send me some a “little” early but it was a no go.  Seems like those smarties only have the prototype on hand and its in nude to avoid people like me trying to get a pair early.  Aspaeris Design Team – 1, TTF – 0.  Well played Aspaeris!

If there is any doubt that I absolutely love these shorts then you haven’t been reading long.  I’ve  been EVERYWHERE in these shorts this year.  One of my favorite ways to wear them is under a Team Sparkle skirt!

      2012 Shamrock Shuffle                                 Running For Kicks Fun Run

         FNRC Group Run

         Quad Cities Marathon Weekend            

I’m super excited about the Aspaeris Gen2 release because I really love the first generation and know that they have really listened to what the customers are looking for:  better wear/tear & more ventilation.  They are taking these shorts to the next level.  I will certainly be ordering the Gen2s as soon as they are available!

For now, we are offering a pair of the current Aspaeris Pivot Shorts in the color and size of your choice for this giveaway.  What do you need to do?  Comment below and you’ll be entered in the giveaway but if I were you, I would also go “like” them on  Facebook HERE so that you can be up to date on the latest news and specials.

If you don’t want to wait for the drawing, then feel free to use the discount code RAGNAR20 for $20 off a pair of these shorts.  Don’t forget to tell Santa, he likes to save a few $$ too!

I will pick a winner via a random number generator on Monday, December 10th at 9am.  Good luck!

** Happy Compression Wearing ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **