Friday, April 8, 2011

Swagger

I’m a runner and have been for as long as I can remember. The only gear I have ever needed was a good pair of high top running shoes!

Okay, I was little and did not know any better. I am currently running in a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS10. 
See Proof no more High-top running shoes for me. These Brooks are the first pair of running shoes I have ever owned that were not Nike. I like them but I am ready to go back to the Nike Free Running Shoes. Yes, I am a minimalist runner I will admit I have a pair or Vibram KSO 5-fingers that I will do short runs in when I feel that my form needs some work. Admitting this makes me feel like I just jumped on the barefoot running bandwagon that is going around the running world but will eventually fade out... Sigh. Anyway, moving along. I have learned along my journey into the world of a triathlete more gear is required. Therefore, I have been trying to figure out what all I need before race day. This is where I need the help of you triathletes! I am sure I'm missing something I just don't know what that something is... Here is what I have thus far.

Books: Not a requirement but I love to read and I also like to know everything I can about what I'm getting myself into. The Triathletes Training Bible and Your First Triathlon both by Joe Friel. I just got these two in the mail yesterday so I have not even looked at them yet. I used Training Plans for Multisport Athletes by Gale Bernhardt to help tweak my training schedule. And Born to Run is what I read when I am forced to ride my bike on the trainer ( yes the book about the barefoot running people/tribe)

Swim: I have a pair of Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 swim goggles and a speedo swim cap.

Bike: I have a very basic Gavin, what they call a Tri bike, but really its just a road bike with aero bars. I bought this bike as a trial bike. I want to make sure this is something I truly wish to get into before I spend the money on a nice "true" Tri bike. So far I have not had any issues with the bike. Thankfully!

Of course I have two water bottles, helmet, gloves, glasses, and I have a spare tire and flat tire fixer tool (Complements of my wonderful husband!) Not that I know how to fix or replace a bike tire. Mathew is supposed to be giving me a class on that before the race. Oh, I also have a Fuel bag on the bike to carry my Gu Chomps.

Run: My non-high-top running shoes =). I was told by a lady at a local 5K last weekend I would need to get a race number belt. I was a little worried about this because I don't like to wear anything, other than my IPod, on me when I run. But I understand where it would save time in the transition area. Less time trying to pin my number on my shirt. So I went to Amazon and got a FuelBelt Gel ready number holder. I need to run with it a few times before the race to make sure it does not end up like my "quagmire" water bottle run. She also suggested I invest in some quick laces for my shoes so I got some of those as well. I need to save as much time as possible -so I don't come in last =).  I always wear my Garmin Forerunner 305 so I will have that along with my RoadId. Side note: I strongly believe everyone should have some form of road Id, this is coming from my work experience responding to calls for a vehicle vs pedestrian/cyclist. Ugh, the thoughts and images just make me cringe. Please people some form of ID helps us expedite medical attention and contact your family. Okay off the soapbox. Other than my running hat and Oakley's I normally wear that is about it. 

Then it hit me WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR.... Okay so I am a girl and once I figured out I needed to wear something that I can do all three events in I panicked. My running shorts and t-shirts are not going to cut it for this type of race. So I did what I do and I got online and starting looking for an outfit. I don't have a clue if its better to get a "tri suit" one piece or go with a two piece suit... So I did what any newbie would do I figured I would order one and see how it felt on then if I don't like it I would send it back and get the other kind. Ha! So I searched for an outfit that I liked and of course was somewhat cute, if you can call a one piece cute... I decided to get the Tri suit first and try it. Now I am not a fan, not even a little, of a one piece anything. But I figured I would at least give it a try. Here is what I got:
The Pearl Izumi Elite In-R-Cool Tri Suit. I got it in the mail yesterday and tried it on. This thing fits like a glove I LOVE it! Seriously, I never thought I would like it at all but it feels great. I don't think it will be restricting at all. So there it is I guess I will be doing my first race in my new black and green tri suit. I still may get the two piece version of this one since I like the way it looks but I guess I should make sure this is for me first ... right =)

Am I missing anything???? 

10 comments:

  1. I <3 my Road ID. I am a HUGE advocate of them!! Looks like you've got your bases covered! What do you think of the Vibrams... I think about trying them out sometimes...

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  2. I think you got all the gear down, but think of things you might like in transition. I like to have two small towels, one to stand one and one to dry my feet before I put my socks on. And if you use a really BRIGHT towels, it'll be something that'll make your transition area easy to find when coming in from the swim and bike.

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  3. Mallory, I love my Vibrams! I have the older KSO ones but they have some new ones out that are just for running. They helped me make sure I am landing on the right part of my foot so when I feel my form is slipping I will set off for a 1-2 mile run just to get my form in check. I don't wear them in races or more than 2 miles. I'm sure they would be fine to run in but I prefer my Nike's =)

    Megan, thank you I had not even thought about a bright towel! That's perfect now I will not have a hard time finding my gear =) Thanks!

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  4. There is a lot of gear. So much more than in running. I created a pictorial of all of the junk I take to a race. I’m a visual person. It helps me -

    http://www.powermultisport.com/2010/06/transition-prep-heat-wave.html

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  5. FOr an Oly distance, you won't need a lot. I wouldn't even need anything to put my fuel in except in my hand or stuck to my bike or in my tri tip pocket. SO, no fuel belt, no bike bag, only 1 water bottle on the bike, no bike gloves, of course no socks (ha!), think minimalist for this race.
    Love the tri suit. Love the pic with the high tops!! You would have been complete with the tube socks up to your knees though.
    I'm going to message you on FB and give you my cell number. We can go over a bunch of this stuff so you can be ready to roll next month.

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  6. Sounds like you already have great advice.

    A practical consideration for the one piece tri suit versus a two: nature calls! Easier to manage with a 2 piece. Shouldn't be an issue for Olympic distance or shorter, but 1/2 IM or longer and a speedy pitstop is tougher with a one piece.

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  7. I have to come back with an additional comment - do you realize how similar your current and younger you pictures are?? You have not changed a bit!!! :-)

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  8. CouplaHounds, Your very right I had not even considered the inevitable nervous bladder =/. Hmmmm glad this is a shorter race! That's funny I had not even looked at the pictures well enough till you pointed that out.. There is about a 16 or 17 year picture gap. I have been told I look much younger than I actually am but I'm still okay with that =) Thanks for the Tip!

    KC- You and the no socks =) lol! I can go get some "old school" tube socks for this race to make up for not having them on in the other race if you think they will help...

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  9. I have the same suit- I LOVE IT!!! In fact, I plan to write a review for it this week.

    Instead of two towels you may want to consider replacing one of them with a small door mat. I bought one for about $5 at Walmart. Rolls up and goes in my bag, and it is perfect for wiping my feet and stackign my gear on. Personally, I don't even worry about a towel in transition to dry off- I just come in qwet and keep going. The wind on the bike will dry you off.

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  10. I also run in those shoes! I just got them and I LOVE them!

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