A few of my favorite things...

If you know me, you know I believe everyone has their own journey.  We all learn along the way, right?  Well, while I know all of you athletes out there are stoked to be figuring things out on your own, I thought maybe I'd just blog about a few of my favorite things.  For starters, raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.  Did anyone get that?  I digress.


I've been on this triathlon journey for some years now.  I have had some unique obstacles that have led me to a slightly different approach to certain things like nutrition .  But regardless, isn't it always nice to hear what works for someone, and maybe(just maybe) you try it and don't HAVE to learn the hard way?!  So here are a few of my favorite things, in no particular order:


For the swim:
*Silicon swim caps- Such a wonderful thing!  They don't pull your hair out, which is wonderful when you don't have much to begin with(like me).
*TYR two piece swim suits-I have a long torso and can't find a one piece that doesn't ride up and make me uncomfortable.  They last forever too!
*X-1 Audio Player- By far, my FAVORITE swim aid.  Makes the workout so enjoyable as you wind up choreographing your swim to music.  Also, you can use you iPod Shuffle that you probably already have and this thing does not leak.  And no need for earplugs anymore!  The ear buds keep water out! www.x-1.com
*Body Glide- For those open water swims.  Prevents chaffing!

For the bike:
*Terry saddle- Made for a woman and has some give so you get a comfortable ride.
*Speedplay pedals- Oh man.  Everyone raved about these and I balked.  But after I finally got them I can't imagine riding in any other clip in pedal.  Easy in, easy out, means less crashes at stoplights for me!
*Coeur tri shorts- This is a newer female specific clothing line for athletes.  I am honored to be sponsored by them, as well.  Their tri shorts are just, wow.  I call them my sexy shorts.  I want to wear them everywhere...on the bike, out to dinner, to spin class, you get the idea.  The material is like butter.  Silky , soft, like a second skin.  There are three pockets in the back that happen to be so strategically placed that I am obsessed with my butt in them!  The chamois is one panel of soft fleece, to prevent chaffing.  After riding in them, I realized I had actually forgotten that I was riding in them!  The waistband is wide so no muffin top, and the legs are large enough to accommodate a cyclists beefy quads.  Total win, Coeur!  www.coeursports.com


For the run:
*Brooks Pure Flow- If you have a wide foot, and an arch high enough to make a ballerina jealous, these are the shoes for you!  They are a minimalist-ish shoe, but are substantial enough to run long distances.  I did Ironman in these and had no problems.
*Brooks Pure Grit- For trail running, these are by far the best I've ever had.  Not bulky like a normal trail shoe, just the right amount of grip and stand up to even the most complicated, technical trails.
*Feetures socks- A sock is just a sock, right?  Nope.  After wearing these I wonder how my feet survived without them.  The perfect sock.
*CEP Compression socks/sleeves- Do I need to explain?  Compression is a wonderful thing and these socks are the ones that started it all.  The hot pink are my favorite.
*Coeur headbands- I am a headband kind of girl, and these are my absolute favorite.  You can wear them wide or narrow, and they stay put.  They also do a great job of keeping my bangs back and the sweat out of my eyes, which is a must since I wear contacts. www.coeursports.com

Nutrition and etc:
*Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof- Look, I am a triathlete, but I'm also a girl.  And I need mascara.  But after many trials, this is the mascara that won't go anywhere.  Seriously.  I wear this for spin class, triathlons, Ironman.  No problems.  And you still get to look good in those post-race photos!
*Baby Lips Chapstick- Made with an SPF and very smooth.  Doesn't have an awful taste and fits in to your little pockets.
*Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof-  It's deodorant.  It is waterproof.  Need I say more?
*Picky Bars- Designed by a triathlete and a runner, these are gluten free, dairy free and vegan.  Real food, balanced, and delicious.  This was my go-to nutrition for Ironman.  And it sat well.  I had no GI issues and I am so thankful for that!  Since I don't do gels, or any of that stuff, this was perfect.
*Sprout's trail mix- My next go-to for Ironman.  I picked the one with cashews, almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, cranberries.  Love, love, love it!
*Dried mangoes- I  don't know why, but these little buggers are so good.  I put them in my special needs bag during my Ironman marathon.  A couple of these and I was feeling pretty decent. 
*Osmo Hydration- Look in to it, ladies.  The science behind it is so forward thinking, yet so basic.  Women are NOT small men.  We need a different hydration strategy because we aren't made the same. www.osmonutrition.com

That's it, for now.  I probably left something out.  But then I suppose as I try more, I'll find more things to love!  I hope that you can use some of these to make your athletic endeavors even more fun, comfortable and stylish!  Thanks for reading!

Too fat, too thin?

I generally don't comment on things that don't really pertain to me, like what Angelina and Brad are doing or what some reality star may or may not have had done on her boobs, butt or face.  I generally just don't care.  It's not my journey, and it doesn't affect me.  My comments, opinions or blogs on these things don't really need to be public knowledge.  But after all the hoopla about the most recent Biggest Loser, I have some things to say.  And you may or may not agree, but here's my thought on it...

When the contestants on Biggest Loser come on the show, we as the public sit at home and we root for them.  We hear their stories, pick our favorites and cheer for them as they complete challenges that even the most accomplished athlete might struggle with.  We are their cheerleaders and we support them.  Not ONCE have I ever sat at the TV and said, "OMG, look at how FAT that person is.  They are TOO fat."  I don't do that.  You probably don't either.  For one, that is taboo to comment on how fat someone is.  And secondly, they are making changes to better themselves, not just by losing weight, but by changing their lifestyle.  We applaud them.

And then, a few nights ago, Rachel weighed in at 105 pounds and people were blown away.  The next day, everyone had an opinion on her weight.  And no one kept it to themselves.  They posted their opinion on Facebook, Bob and Jillian clapped while their mouths hung open.  There was so much judgement.  And what did Rachel have to say?  She said she felt "alive" and better than ever.  And she had also just WON a large amount of money.  But it wasn't okay with most people.  Because they had already decided what was an appropriate amount of weight to lose.  How the person should look, not taking in to account that it's not about that solely.

I'm not going to make this long.  I just want to say that if Rachel is happy, healthy and moving forward on her journey, then who are we to judge that?  Commenting on someone's weight, whether you feel they are too fat or too thin, is really not your place.  I find it extremely maddening that we as a society feel free to comment when we feel someone is too thin, but dare not say a word if we feel someone is too fat.  Really, it's not up for discussion, in my opinion.  Judging is judging.

I spent a portion of my life very thin.  Too thin, according to a lot of people.  And I struggled with it every day.  Things didn't fit right, and I couldn't manage to gain weight.  And everyone had an opinion that they were always more than willing to share with me.  People said I looked too thin, sinewy, sick, skinny, not feminine.  And it hurt.  As much as I can imagine it would hurt to be called too fat.  I can't imagine how Rachel must feel knowing that there are so many people out there disapproving of her accomplishment.

That's it.  My two cents.  I believe that as a society we should support one another, without judgement.  Everyone's journey is unique, and completely their own.  So let's spread the love, not the judgement.