Go buy...
Apologies for the delay in this blog post, you will be pleased to know that after 9 months of unemployment (not sure dog walking counts?) I am happily working. Must say it was a bit of a shock to the system but I am now happily in my routine of training and working. I thought I would share with you my favourite training and racing products that I simply cannot live without....So without further ado, here is the ‘It List’...
Body Glide
See my blog post ‘chafe much’? for further evidence as to why this handy little product will forever be in my kitbag for all triathlons, running races and longer training runs. Quite simply if I don’t use it or forget to, I know I am in for a rough and rather painful ride. The product helps prevent chafe, rubbing and blisters forming on the most vulnerable parts of your body, for me this was funnily enough my arm pits AKA ‘Poker Pits’. It is also a god send when battling the removal of your wetsuit in transition.
Aquasphere Goggle spray
A pet peeve of mine next to the dreaded ‘Poker Pits’ is goggle steamage. Nothing ruins a good swim session quicker or more exasperatingly than goggles steaming up and repetitively needing to clear these at the end of each length. Lucky then that I discovered Aquasphere’s goggle spray, just squirt it into the goggles, wait for at least 30 seconds, rinse and go. Easy and indispensable. I would also highly recommend Aquasphere’s range of swimming goggles, especially those designed for open water. I use these in the pool as they are perfect for my eye shape as for some reason, normal goggles tend to sucker to my eyes and stretch them to abnormal proportions, not comfortable.
Sports Beans
I cannot stomach too many sports gels, my body rejects them and I just cannot stand the consistency, literally choking them down. Gagging on your bike does not make for a professional look and does your speed no favours. I know I am not the only athlete out there to struggle with these heinous and often revolting nutrition aids. My solution is Sports Beans. They are pretty much the same taste and consistency of jelly beans but with added goodies to fuel sports performance. They contain Carbohydrates to fuel your body during intense activity, Electrolytes which are vital for maintaining fluid balance, Vits B1, B2 & B3 to help burn carbohydrates and fat and Vit C to protect muscles and cells against oxidative damage. I always go for the tropical flavour. I swear by them and consume a packet 30 minutes prior to a race and also one during if it is an endurance event.
Travel Towel
I use a bright pink one as my transition marker. It is far more effective than a conventional towel and is quick drying so when you eventually pack up your transition towel you are not left with a soggy, smelly not to mention heavy towel to pack away and lumber all the way home.
PowerBar Ride
The mother of all sports bars. It is simply delicious, especially the peanut caramel one. Unlike other sports bars it does not have the consistency of cardboard, nor does it take you 5 minutes to chew through one mouthful. It is pure heaven and almost feels a little too indulgent. Without fail one of these is packed in my saddle bag on my long rides and often I may also consume one before a race. The bars have a special carbohydrate mix and energy releasing vitamins and minerals alongside a selected protein mix to support muscle recovery.
Pull Buoy
My favourite training tool in the pool by far. I could swim forever with my trusty ‘Pool Boy’ as my friends and I like to call it (cue dirty between the legs jokes...). Quite simply everyone should own one of these, they help stabilise the core muscles while giving your arms and shoulders a thorough workout.....That’s if used properly, I have witnessed many a swimmer using a pull buoy and kicking their legs, which completely defeats the object of any drill performed using this bit of kit. In order to sway temptation I simply cross my feet therefore eliminating the option of ‘cheating’ by kicking.
Elastic Laces
If you are doing triathlons without these then you are seriously missing a trick. Fiddling around tying bows in transition is going to cause you precious seconds. Get a pair of these pronto.
VO5 Hot Oil
I have very long hair and although it would probably benefit me to have a few inches off in order to possess a more manageable mane, quite simply I refuse. Not going to happen. Because of this I have to take extra care of my hair, all that sweat and swimming in the pool or lake plays havoc with my crowning glory. VO5 Hot Oil is my absolute saviour. It’s so eighties, but a classic. Cheap and cheerful. Once a week I will bathe my hair in the oily goodness and it works wonders for easing out knots and injecting some much needed moisture into my hair stack.
Compress Sport R2
See my blog post ‘Compress Yourself’ for more info on compression. I am a complete compression convert after suffering the dreaded shin splints. The use of the Compress Sport R2 helped massively. After every long run or hard session I will don these for a few hours, sometimes sleeping in them if my legs are feeling particularly fatigued. Without doubt, I am ready and raring to go for my next session once I have recovered in these babies.
Bio ears Ear Plugs
I am extremely susceptible to having water swilling around in my ears after a swim. The last thing I want is dirty lake or sea water in my ear canal, possibly giving me an infection. I use these earplugs as they are amazing. They are soft and mould to your ear shape and no water gets past them. An amazing find, you can also rinse and reuse them although if I have used them in a race I usually lose them...
