Ironman - All About the Outfit!

There are a lot of things that have to be figured out, planned, trained, purchased, and practiced to be ready for a 70.3.  For months, I have been trying to figure out what I'm going to wear on race day. Come on now, this is a serious issue! Whatever I wear will be on under my wetsuit for the swim, so it has to be able to handle the water (regular padded bike shorts are out!) Once I strip off my wetsuit, I have to be ready to jump right onto the bike, and for 56 miles, I need more padding than just my regular work out shorts, so time for my first tri shorts! But what tri shorts? The new kit for the Tri Club of San Diego just came out, but it will not be available to try on or to have until the start of March.  I need to start practicing in my new outfit now... see how it feels, find the hot spots, etc. There are lots of brand tri shorts, but most are designed to be used as part of a kit, not to just use as shorts.  Insert top dilemma here... although I've lost 50 pounds, I've tried on several different tri kits... both (2) piece kits and (1) piece kits.  Not only do I not feel comfortable in them at all, tri kits only come in tank options, no sleeves. I cannot and will not ever train/race in a tank, so a full tri kit is not an option for me. So with most tri shorts having designs that are intended to continue up onto the matching tri top, they would look silly matched with a plain top.  To you, this might sound like fashion minutia, but wait, there's more...

There is a local triathlon store that is way too cool... HERevolution. It is a female only tri/running shop and the owner, Darci, is amazing! She opened the shop to provide a place where the gals can get female specific clothing, advice, team and training support... a great place that is "lunk free." No, lunks and their related attitude do not only hang in the gym... they work in sport/athletic stores too, and can make shopping for athletic gear/equipment a very uncomfortable place for the gals!  Darci has a few different tri kits and not only do I love the designs, I found a pair of shorts that I could match up with a cool, fitted top (with sleeves) for my Ironman outfit. I've got the padding for the bike, the sleeves for comfort and a cute outfit that I LOVE!!!  Add the matching hat for the run and I'm ready to go!

I've already worn it for a ride and long run and this outfit is very comfortable and is going to work perfectly for Oceanside! Now to nail down the socks...

Ironman outfit... and my new saddle!  Two more things to check off the list...