The Glamorous Triathlete

Thick-Skinned: Wet Suit Tips

2011-12-01T22:24:00.001-06:00

I swim in an outdoor pool which is great in the summers but really crap during the winters. It is Cancun but the water still gets cold enough to be thoroughly uncomfortable. And the wind chill factor is pretty harrowing as well.

So I wear a wet suit in the pool.

There are a couple of tips about wearing a wet suit.

First of all, it's called a "wet suit" for a reason: you're wet inside the suit. There are also "dry suits" (mostly for cave diving and diving in frigid waters) which keep you dry. The difference with wearing one and not is that it keeps you warm. The way a wet suit does that is that the water that gets into your suit and is held close enough to your skin so that it heats quickly. The water inside the suit acts as a buffer and keeps you even more warm inside the suit.

Tip #1: make sure the wet suit fits and is especially flush against your crotch. This is to avoid choking yourself from the pull of the suit around your neck.

Tip 2: if you are planning to do paddle or fin work, bring them to poolside before you hop in. If you get out after swimming for a bit, because of gravity, the water creating a shield of warmth between your body and your suit will rush out and smooth the suit downwards causing it to sit lower on your body. Once that happens, it will be very hard to get back into place and will be very uncomfortable to swim in.

Tip #3: Because it's chlorine, you'll need to soak and rinse the suit thoroughly once you get home. Dry the suit inside out so that the lining dries first.

To Pee or Not To Pee

2011-11-30T23:54:00.001-06:00

A little over ten years ago, I was getting my wrist operated on. It was local anesthesia, which implied taking my arm out of the hospital gown, painting my arm with antiseptic and injecting the drug into my armpit. They painted from my fingers all the up to my armpit and in a moment of distraction, my right breast was exposed.

In that moment, 12 doctors rushed in and out of the OR.

I gave up being prude in that moment.

And so must you be during a long distance triathlon.

Someone once asked me if we triathletes ever feel like going to the bathroom.

"Of course," I replied.

"So...what do you do?"

That's easy: just pee on yourself.

The quicker you get over the social stigma of peeing on yourself, the better off you'll be. And, I can tell you from experience, that holding it screws up your system. I once held it in during a 5km swim. My stomach swelled quite a bit and it hurt so badly that I felt a bit queasy all day.

Have you ever seen a triathlete, while biking, stands up on the bike and throws the hips to the side? Ever wonder why? That is, my friends, the discreet art of peeing down your leg so that you don't get your chain. And you don't want to get your chain because it'll be detrimental to bike mechanics.

Your shoes, however, will risk being stinky.

Peeing in the water is easier. Just a mental prayer saying sorry to the poor sod behind you and you're on your way.

The first time I peed on myself was on the run. The easy way to cover that up is to douse yourself with water. That way, your shoes won't be too smelly by the end of the day.

This is the one thing I would actually recommend practicing on race day. I can justify a lot better the fact that I have smelly shoes because of a competition than for a training day. It feels like a waste of one more day that your shoes can be "clean."

But it's your call. It's definitely not glamorous but you do feel a lot better for it.

Listen to Me: Earphones

2011-11-28T23:27:00.001-06:00

Standard Apple iPod Earphones

If you're anything like me, you like a bit of music after a workout.

I used to put on my iPod and go home after the pool. Which is fine but since my pool is uber chlorinated, I found this was a bad thing for my earphones.

The grey ring that is right near the netted area is a soft rubber that, with chlorine, starts to peel off.

Since I don't really rinse out my ears, the chlorine still in them burned through the rubber.

Scary.

So I've stopped listening to music but got a new pair of earphones which turned out to be an excellent investment.

Bose IE2 Earphones

The Bose IE2 Earphones are a pretty versatile option. With the Bose name backing up its quality, it's pretty easy to see why these cost a bit more than their Apple counterparts.

These come with another pair of removable earbuds, just in case these don't fit. They also have that hook on the top, which is really soft and fits snug inside your ear. Great for when you're working out or on a run. They don't slip out with a simple turn of the head when you see a cute guy run past and sweat won't dislodge them.

There is also a soft zip up case that I was a little iffy about. Soft cases in a purse like mine don't really last too long. This, however, has taken the ton of books that I have and it still looks new.

Kate Spade Knightsbridge Gia Flat Pouch

I don't know why but since Kate Spade is doing all those nice iPhone covers, I thought of this little number as a replacement case.

Identify Yourself: The Road ID

2011-11-24T23:12:00.001-06:00

Wrist ID Elite

I've been living in a foreign country for about 15 years now and when I started training for triathlons, this implied long rides and runs in places where people are scarce. I'm also the type of person who trains alone and it hit me one day that if something were to happen to me, there would be no way that I could tell the people I love where I am. No one I know out of all my friends, knows all my friends. Not even my parents.

So I wrote up a will and got myself a Road ID.

People ask me about it all the time. 'What is that?' they would say.

FIXX ID

It comes in several different versions: the dog tag,

Shoe ID

the shoe tag,

Ankle ID

the anklet,

Wrist ID Sport

the bracelet.

I've got a bracelet and I never take it off.

They come in different colors and styles and if you happen to have an allergy or a medical condition, this is a good thing to have around. And if you're training a lot by yourself, get yourself one. They ship worldwide and are always a good thing to have.

Only Thing That Doesn't Run: My Makeup

2011-11-23T23:04:00.001-06:00

I train daily, usually straight after work. Soon I'll have to throw in double sessions and start going in the morning as well but for now, I run to the pool, throw on my suit or run gear and either jump in the pool or hit the track. I change, stretch and start.

This means that I definitely do not have time to take off my makeup.

Now, I'm a MAC girl but not everything does exactly the same thing.

MAC Liquid Eyeliner

I live in a very humid city and when I go running, I have to watch what make up I'm wearing.

I love the Liquid Eyeliner. The description online says it's "smudge resistant". Be that as it may, it is definitely not water resistant.

I ran with this on and if you are running in humidity and often sweat profusely from the face or head, forget it. Just find the nearest bathroom and take it all off because it's going to get really bad, really quick. Just to give you an idea, two words: Alice Cooper. Imagine him and Ozzy on stage after three hours and you've got a pretty good idea of my look after a sweaty run.

MAC Liquidlasst Liner

The one that does last through anything is the Liquidlast Liner. This will stay on, even with a swim. It is pretty damn fabulous.

MAC Splashproof Lash Mascara

There is also a very lovely Splashproof Lash Mascara that is the only one that they have that is waterproof. It's actually very nice and stays on pretty well.

But the granddaddy of them all, the one that is only limited edition, is the Chromographic Pencil. This badboy lasts through a day a work, a run and a shower! And the color is nearly just as brilliant as when you first put it on. I find that if you can also use it as a primer and put other powder shadows on top for a marvelous combination of color. I have written to MAC and talked to all my MAC consultants about this pencil and have arduously pleaded that they make this part of the permanent collection.

Four of the five
MAC
Chromagraphic Pencil
colors

Oh please, if there is a God......

In The Eyes of the Beholder: A Sunglass Story

2011-11-22T23:15:00.001-06:00

Living in Cancun prompts a person to make two major purchases: sunglasses and a good umbrella.

I've always wanted a pair of wrap-around glasses that make me look like Kimora Lee. And I had my heart set on a pair of Dior Grand Salon. With Swarovski crystals on the sides, I'm thinking how fabulous I'd look ... until I saw one huge problem: the frame marks on my cheeks when I took off the glasses.

I'm Asian and we have a huge problem with sunglasses. If they are too big, they sit on the cheeks. And if you are doing any sort of sports, the sweat that rolls down your face sits right in that pocket.

And as I thought there was no hope for me ... until I found the Oakley Asian Fits. The ones I have are a matte metallic grey, a color that only comes in Asian Fits.

Hallelujah, I've been saved!

There is a bit of a variety to be had. I've got a pair of Radars and they've been with me for about a year and a half.

And they do have a series of other very coy glasses.

There is also a company called TC Charton that also does Asian Fit type glasses, both sunglasses and regular glasses. There may not be as much in choice as one would like but it's hard to say that there isn't more of a market now.

For now, I'm thinking of getting another pair. Heads up because you cannot buy Asian Fits for women in the stores. As of the date of the post, Oakley Asian Fits for Women are only available through online purchase.

Pre-Race Dining

2011-11-21T22:48:00.001-06:00

If you're anything like me, you probably want to get your nutrition right for your long race and not screw it up. I've seen people come in with cramps, looking like they're punch drunk and with white lips at the end of an Ironman and it's a scary thing.

But you can avoid a good portion of that with a good eating plan, pre-competition.

Some say you need to start a week beforehand with a protein-only diet for three to four days and then to carbo-load the three days prior to the race. Studies have shown that depleting your carbohydrates and then to start them again does not necessarily yield an advantage.

Start three days before your competition and eat good carbs. Cooked veggies, pasta, rice, legumes, meat low in fat, slices of bread, yogurt and fruit are all items you should base your diet on. Also try and consume a little more salt. A good way to do that is to find the mineral water that has the highest salt content, get a relatively large bottle and drink it for the next three days.

The day before the competition be sure to avoid food that will get your intestines going like lettuce (so no salad at the pasta bar the night before), items high in fiber and food that give you gas (beans, boiled eggs, watermelon, peas, corn, papaya, mango).

The day of the race, be sure you eat the foods you know and have tested previously for breakfast. Hydrate yourself 30 minutes before with a bottle of hydration and be sure to drink and eat during the race.

Post Comp Bonk Tips

2011-11-18T22:00:00.001-06:00

For anyone who has done a long distance endurance race (10 km swim, a 70.3 Ironman or any similar long-distance endurance competition), you may have suffered what is popularly known in the Americas as the "bonk" (apparently, in England, "bonk" is something entirely different and may lend itself to embarrassing moments). It is when you completely crash, energetically speaking. It can happen any time your body is reaching or has hit an energy deficit.

This can be avoided pretty much in one way: eating and hydrating. And I'm not talking about eating just any old thing and whenever.

Immediately after a long competition, you should load up on all the carbs you lost along the way. It is of the utmost importance that you load up on all the carbs you can find. Grab those Gatorade bottles and have at least two.

Avoid the pizza. With all that grease and fat content in the cheese, your stomach will probably get back at you for treating it so badly.

Eat pasta, jelly sandwiches, baked potatoes, cereal bars or juice.

All this should be done within the first two hours immediately after finishing.

In the evening, before you hit the sack, two Alka-Seltzer or bicarbonate soda in water is a great thing to take for the lactic acid build up. It doesn't get rid of all your pain but at least you can walk normally.

The Art of a Beautiful Arm

2011-11-17T22:01:00.001-06:00

I'm all for practical accessorizing in a triathlon. As long as it doesn't interfere with any of the three disciplines, I'm game to try it.

Primal Wear Japanese Tattoo
Arm Warmers

It's really sunny when I go out to train and I tan really easily.

I don't lose the tan lines as easily though.

So I've looked into getting arm coolers. I hate looking like I still have my shorts and jersey on, even when I get undressed or go to the pool.

It never gets cold enough to get arm warmers here in the Riviera Maya so I've looked at several options. Castelli came out with water repelling arm warmers called the Nanoflex Arm Warmers, great for those rainy day rides (lots of those here).

Primal Wear Tattoo Arm Warmers

Primal Wear has arm warmers I love. They look like your arms are completely tattooed, and for someone who doesn't feel the need to get a tramp stamp, this is a pretty fun option.

De Soto Arm Coolers

De Soto is one of several major companies that does arm coolers. The market seems to be filled more with arm warmers as opposed to arm coolers. This may be because the majority of serious bikers on the planet live in colder climates or train in the mornings. Or perhaps because people don't want to take the time to slip them on in T1 or T2. I like to sleep so on the weekends so I do my long rides in the late morning, making my skin very available to cancer-making rays.

Zoot Icefil Arm Coolers

Zoot makes something called the Icefil Arm Cooler. They are pretty nice looking and the price is comparable to other similarly-featured tech wear.

So save yourself the farmer tan and protect your skin. Yes, sunblock is a good idea but I always seem to burn anyway.

Safe riding and look good while you're at it!

Stark Raving...Cyclists?

2011-11-16T22:20:00.001-06:00

Most of us who do endurance sports are considered crazy. Either by those outside of our "craziness" or by one another.

Sometimes, we love our idiosyncrasies so much, it drives us to do some very interesting things.

In 2006, when I was still living in Mexico City, I was sitting around in my apartment when someone texted me: it was my good friend, Miriam, a reporter for a local magazine. She told me to come quick to the Zocalo, the large central plaza of Mexico City and from where I lived only a scare two blocks away, because she was covering a cyclists "march". Protesting the scant traffic laws that protected the common biker, the local bike club, Cleto Sapiens, decided to do a protest march in the nude.

Here are some of the images:

The thing I love about this image is that the woman on the left looks really comfy in just her undies.

The moto-reporter, on the other hand, looks like he/she should be roasting.

All that skin on the left and absolutely no skin on the right.

The guy's back reads:
"El coche te mata, la bici te rescata."

"A car can kill you, a bike can save you."

A reporter had just asked this woman a question and they ended up filming a short segment for a national tv station.

This guy's sign reads:

"Respeto al ciclista.
Muevete en tu bici.
No contamines.
'Exonerate'
Cleto Sapiens"

"Respect for the cyclist.
Move around on your bike.
Don't pollute.
'Exonerate yourself.'
Cleto Sapiens"

There is a contemporary figure in Mexican culture named Subcomandante Marcos. He is a mysterious figure, intelligent, well-read, university educated, who was the voice of the indigenous of Chiapas when he started a movement unlike any other in the history of Mexico, in 1994. He is well known to smoke a pipe and always wear a ski mask to hide his identity, as did all those who followed the movement, known popularly as the Zapatistas.

This cyclist was wearing combat boots, a backpack, a ski mask and a cap, with a pipe in his mouth.

He had posed for this photo with one of the many groups of Aztec dancers that can be found in the plaza.

All I have to say is that sometimes, reality far outweighs anything that you can cook up in your imagination.

1000 Words in Pixelated Form

2011-11-15T23:07:00.001-06:00

I'm a photo buff and used to take a lot more photos than I do now. I have two boxes filled with negatives and slides and as I was rummaging through them the other day, I found myself on Memory Lane .

I'll be posting some in the near future but for now, I was remembering that an image is a powerful element. So powerful that if it's a good one, it delves into the deepest corners of your being and all because it pulled a heartstring.

Take a look at some of my favorites.

And be forewarned: the third one down is not a pretty one to see.

We always see triathletes in skin-tight clothing, hot, sweaty and not particularly because they are happy to see us.

And that isn't always pretty.

Enter Chrissie Wellington, four-time Kona Ironman champion and the most notorious female course record-breaker in the history of Kona.

I just loved that Inside Triathlon gave the undisputed queen of Ironman a front cover and a chance to look really good.

Lord knows most of us ain't lookin' our prettiest at the finish line....

Boise 70.3 Ironman 2010
Chris Lieto (L) and Craig Alexander (seated)
Photo by Joe Jaszewski

It was 2010, the Boise 70.3 Ironman and two of Ironman's strongest triathletes were competing. Chris Lieto was leading but with about half a mile to go, Craig Alexander puts it into gear and catches up with Lieto.

The sprint all the way to the finish line and Alexander, by just seconds, wins the race.

The two collapse at the finish line. Lieto is in tears on the floor, spent. Craig Alexander gives a hug to his fellow competitor, in a sign of camaraderie and good will.

Johnny Hoogerland
Tour de France 2011

In one of the stages of this year's Tour de France, a French TV car swerved to miss a jutting tree, clipping a cyclist who careened into another. Both cyclists were thrown off their bikes and onto a barbed wire fence. This image is of Johnny Hoogerland who got back on his bike, along with Juan Antonio Flecha, the one who flew into Hoogerland, and both finished this stage in absolute tears.

This amazing photo was taken for the Castelli 2012 publicity campaign by Gered Gruber. The biker is Peter Stetina of Garmin-Cervelo and this is Passo di Giau, near Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites. How could you not love the lyrical nature of this photo?

Randies: Random Health Facts

2011-11-14T23:18:00.001-06:00

With nutrition and training, there are always a lot of myths. I've been hit with a lot of them so I wanted to talk about the major ones.

Fruits and Sugar. I'm always surprised when people don't realize that citrus fruit like grapefruit or oranges have a lot of potential amounts of sugar, even though sometimes, they doesn't taste sweet. One portion of either fruit in juice form is 250 ml, or 8.5 fluid ounces . That's equivalent to a short Starbuck's drink or about 1 cup of liquid. So for those who are loading on tons of vitamin C by drinking a jug of juice, think again. You're putting in a lot more sugar than you need.
Barefoot running is better for you. With reference to my last post, there are people who have tried a pair of the barefoot running shoes are completely in love with the concept and have started running. Go to a doctor before making such a move because if you are overweight and running, it will be a lot worse for your knees and feet. You can get yourself a stress fracture real fast.
Wearing clothes to make you sweat when you exercise. I've seen this one a lot here in Cancun . People who put on windbreakers zipped all the way up and sweat pants, walking around in 80-degree heat. Losing weight is about eating right and exercising. This technique is only looking at losing weight in water, and not so much on losing fat, and will lead most likely to frustration.
Eating at night makes you gain weight. As always, it's what you eat and how much that is important. Greasy tacos at 11:00 p.m. are different from a piece of toast and a glass of low fat milk. Not as good, I agree, but the effects are undeniable.

Down to the Pinkie

2011-11-13T15:17:00.001-06:00

I am, for all practical purposes, a purist. If a person comes up with an original idea, sometimes it makes me think "oh what a copy cat" about all those who take that original idea and tweak it.

Some do it pretty well. Take the Androids and Steve Jobs' iPhone. Jobs opened a world to cell phones and connectivity that has set the ground rules for the way we communicate in modern day. The Android and it's fun platforms (Gingerbread, Froyo, Ice Cream Sandwich) as well as Google's apps have taken Jobs ideas to a new level.

But there are others I have to wonder about.

Take the Vibram Five Fingers. That weird sock shoe that, were it not for the lively colors, you would think the person wearing them was barefoot. Well, Adidas decided to do their own version of the barefoot running shoe.

Enter the adiPURE Trainer.

This is a shoe that is coming off the heels of (pun intended) a lawsuit that Fila is subject to for infringement of three patents that Vibram has.

No word yet on whether they are going after Adidas as well.

I like looking to see what the quality is like on an item like this. First thing that strikes me is that it looks "soft". Especially over the foot where the stripes are. That to me, is not a good sign.

I'm rough with my shoes and when I go running, they take a beating. The soles look sturdy but I'd be worried that I'd one day rip the top off when I got to pull them on. The area where the toes are look like they've been double-lined but since that is where the toes bend and lift, I'm wondering how long you can go in these without digging a hole with your nail from your big toe?

These are the infamous shoes of the Vibram lawsuit: the Fila Skele-Toes. They are four-toed, combining the last two toes on your foot into one socket.

They are made of a two-ply nylon on the top with two bungee cords to tighten and a velcro strap.

I will have to admit, in terms of how they look, quality wise as well as style, I would choose the Fila Skele-Toes over the Adidas adiPUREs. They just don't seem to look sturdy enough.

Plus, I like the sole detail of the Skele-Toes.

Whoever wins the lawsuit, I still think it's interesting to see these different types of shoes and each company's take on this idea.

Inspiration on the Big Screen

2011-10-06T23:44:00.003-05:00

I think when you try to do just about any big sort of feat, getting the inspiration together to pull through sometimes is a little hard to come by.

'Gumption' they call it.

Now I'm a movie buff and there are always a couple of movies I come back to when I want to feel some very good vibes, especially before a competition.

1. The World's Fastest Indian starring Sir Anthony Hopkins.

The story is about a 60-something Kiwi named Burt Munro who has a love affair with motorcycles and dreams of racing on the salt flats of Utah for the annual Speed Week.

Based on a true story, Munro ships himself out with his trusty Indian motorcycle which he built up and broke the record for fastest time for built sub-1000 cc motorcycle.

If you aren't out of your seat, cheering on Burt in the final scene, you are pretty cold.

2. Invictus starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.

There is always something lovely about seeing the underdog make it through. I think people can relate to a story where someone has everything going against them. But for some insane reason, they keep believing that they can.

And they do.

That was the story of the Springboks, the South African rugby team. Last in the rankings, newly elected Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) decides that the country needs unification and looks for it through this sport and its capitan, Francois Pienaar, played by Matt Damon.

3. The Pianist starring Adrien Brody.

I only saw this movie just recently and it blew my mind. Anyone who has watched this movie will understand why I chose this image as the most representative one.

All I kept thinking was that this man was starved, witnessed death, had become sick, scrounged for food and was in hiding all those many years and the one thing that kept him alive was his music.

You have to be a very strong person to be able to survive. And then, want to survive after all was said and done.

4. The Peaceful Warrior starring Nick Nolte.

I've always hated showboats. People who have no respect nor care for the world and only search for praise and adulation.

That's how our hero, Dan Millman, starts out: cocky, daringly stupid and seemingly invincible. That is, until his motorcycle accident.

Socrates, played by Nick Nolte, gives him a few philosophical knocks on the head, some good advice and does some really cool magic tricks to boot.

5. Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa.

I saw a documentary on the director, Akira Kurosawa, and it was amazing for me to learn that 23 years after making this masterpiece, he had attempted suicide because there was a tremendous lull in his career.

The title of the movie is the Japanese verb "to live".

It is rather slow for the modern-day viewer of movies but it is a story that is pretty common: a bureaucrat has lived his life stamping documents and living estranged from his wife and son. When it is discovered that he has cancer and only months to live, he goes on a desperate journey to find meaning in his life. And much to the surprise of his co-workers and family, he finds it.

I always cry like an absolute bastard whenever I watch any of these movies so if you prefer not to hear my Kleenex-shuffle, watch these on your own and I'll see you on the track!

Casual Biking

2011-10-02T20:37:00.000-05:00

I have an American-made Cannondale CAAD 4, my noble little race bike.

Most triathletes will not use their race bikes in any other condition unless they are:

a. training or

b. racing

That said, most have two bikes. The other would be to ride about town on.

A while back, I remembered seeing something that amazed me. Women in Denmark, I believe, who went about their day-to-day on bikes, wearing skirts and high heels.

The top tube comes all the way down so that you can discreetly lift your leg up and over without pulling a Britney Spears.

So I got curious and wanted to see what was out there.

Madsen Bucket Bicycle in yellow

This is the Madsen Bucket Bike. It's made out of steel and it comes in black, blue and yellow. The most noticeable feature of this bike is the 40 gallon bucket in the back. Throw in your groceries, books or small children (I'm not kidding) in there.

The back bucket actually has seat belts in it so that your kids are strapped in safely for the ride. I'm not usually a fan of kids in a kid seat on a bike for the same reason that I don't trust lots of drivers out there.

Interior of Madsen Bicycle Bucket

This, however, looks like a safer option. The lower center of gravity as well as the kickstand make it a more sturdy choice.

Another option is the Yuba Mundo Cargo Bike. This has various modalities you can add to it like two panniers for about 6 large grocery bags. You can also put a regular rack, a kid's bike seat and can seat up to two kids on the back.

Like I said, not a fan of the kid's seats but there you go.

Yuba Mundo Cargo Bicycle

If you are looking for something that is more like a "normal" bike, Breezer makes a whole series of options for both men and women.

Their Transportation bike line offers ergonomic frames that have the Town Bike style (with mud flaps and racks) and the Range Bike style, which is more "normal" bike like.

2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity - LS

Whatever your bike of choice, ride safe.

Meanwhile, I'll be dreaming of riding up and down the Champs Elysees wearing some things I put together, perhaps in part, picked up from a vintage shop and from a couture house.

Always, of course, with a hat on nicely coiffed hair.

Fashionable Hatted Women with a Bike

Being Fit and Fashionable

2011-09-29T23:48:00.002-05:00

Fashion is about looking good. And that also means looking good in the clothes you wear.

We triathletes have this misconception that because we exercise a ton, we can eat whatever we want.

Not true.

I went on a rigorous diet and lost about 30 lbs and I can honestly say now that whenever I think about eating something "non-Kosher", as it were, I think about Mad Eye Moody from the Harry Potter series and his famous catchline, "Constant vigilance!"

Constant vigilance for the rest of my life. And I really don't mind.

So here's a couple of tips, words from the wise, as it were, so that you don't fall into the same traps as I did:

1. High fructose corn syrup = BAD!

Studies (in particular, one done at Princeton University) have shown that lab rats showed considerably more signs of obesity when fed high fructose corn syrup as opposed to table sugar.

Do this test: go to your local supermarket and pick up anything off the shelf. You would be surprised by how many items have HFCS. I can only find one type of bread out of the 25 I regularly see on the shelves that DOES NOT have HFCS.

2. No-Carb Diets

It may have worked for Jennifer Aniston but I'm pretty sure she wasn't running or doing triathlons. Carbs are a necessity. Think of it as having gas in your car. You have no gas, you don't move.

Same principle with the human body.

Your body needs carbs (in limited amounts, mind you) in order to function. A friend of mine was eating proteins before working out and carbs afterwards and was always tired.

What he should have done was switch those two around.

Proteins help your muscles knit and repair themselves and sit a little heavy in the stomach if you eat them before working out. Carbs are fuel and you would definitely need those before the work out!

3. Fried Food

This one's a big no-no. I had a daily allowance of 1 portion of oil per day for my diet, usually used for cooking purposes.

That's one tablespoon! Deep fry anything and you're way over your limit.

4. Starchy Foods

Did you know that corn and bananas are starchy? They may be low in fat but they are high in calories. Potatoes, yams, peas and taro are among the several foods that are as well.

Like everything, eat limited amounts and don't go overboard.

5. Beauty Rest

It sounds like a cliche but it really is true. Sleeping helps you repair your body and is also a part of weight loss. If you don't sleep enough, your body will never have the time to recover from the beating you give it.

Feet That Fly

2011-09-28T23:30:00.001-05:00

Running was the first of the three disciplines I started training when I decided to do a triathlon.

It is also the one that weighed most upon me. Literally. Getting off the bike and running was like asking me go and happily peel off every finger and toe nail with a pair of pliers.

Not going to happen.

But shoes are an amazing thing. And here are a selection of the more specialized running shoes, with a particular emphasis on triathlons:

Zoot Women's Ultra Tempo 4.0

I've been a Zoot wearer for a long time and these are the choice for the stability runner (like me):

Love the pop of color against the silver and black. This also comes in pink.

Ecco has been known for making a very comfortable shoe and it's one I always associate with my dad, who is crazy about this brand. It has never struck me as a contemporary look but their Biom line is something I rather liked. The color is definitely sporty and it's a very attractive shoe.

Ecco Biom

Now, there is one shoe that I've always been curious to try but have always been a little iffy, seeing as that I have a very wide foot.

That shoe is the Vibram Five Fingers. It's truly a sock-shoe, taking the Japanese tabi socks to new heights by actually having each and every individual toe in a separate aperture. It's an odd "shoe" and I kind of feel like telling the person who's wearing them to put on some socks. Apparently, it's great for an injury-free run.

Vibram Five Fingers 2011

This shoe is not for everyone but you do have the occasional person running an Ironman in these.

You've also got your staple triathlon shoe in Newton. Lots of pros have been known to promote this brand and with due reason. Their racers are traditionally as light as socks. And there is no missing out because they are always noticeable in their red lettering against a bright yellow background.

Craig Alexander wearing
Newton's Stability Shoes
in yellow

So there it is. Shoes seem to be looking good this year.

I think I'll be asking Santa for some early Christmas presents.

Biking Sexy?

2011-09-27T23:11:00.004-05:00

I've always been a fan of Castelli clothing.

Color pairing and the cut of the clothing always makes me very happy that someone has thought about looking good in cycling wear. Plus that scorpion logo is pretty badass.

Castelli
Velocissimo
Bib Short

What I've never understood are the bike "bib" shorts.

When a guy (and yes, this only applies to guys) wears a pair under a jersey, you never can tell that its not a regular short. The only real convenience is that it has no elastic waistband and doesn't restrict breathing. It is also an advantage to bigger athletes who have a bit of a belly and would prefer not to have an elastic waistband.

I love George Michael but these shorts remind me of the Wham! days when no one "noticed" that Michael seemed slightly gay.

Why?

They make these for women as well but with a different cut so that it doesn't look like something typical to wear at the local strip club.

Castelli Velocissimo Bib Short
on a model

Depending on how the short was built, the number of panels can free up the movement.

And then again, you might just want to see one of these guys, dressed like this at the strip club.

Sexy or no? You be the judge.

Jeremy Scott and Adidas Bullfighting Wear

2011-09-26T22:59:00.000-05:00

Adidas by Jeremy Scott
Torero Jacket in Red

I happen to be rather knowledgeable on bullfighting so when I saw this little number, I knew I had to talk about this one.

Let's get something straight:
1. No self-respecting bullfight aficionado is EVER going to wear this, much less buy it, lest he wishes to be the laughing stock of the plaza.
2. It would have to take a very special type of person to wear this.

That said, the latter pretty much describes most of Paris couture.

Adidas by Jeremy Scott: Torero Jacket in Red
(Detail: "Alamares")

The embroidery and the hand work is amazing and does its best to resemble an actual bullfighting suit. This, technically, is not a "traje de luces" (the common name for the bullfighting suits) because the term refers to those suits adorned with either gold or silver embroidery, hence the word "luces" which means "lights" in Spanish.

Usually, black embroidery is a sign of a bullfighter who is an auxiliary to the matador.

I've never been a huge fan of this color combination in the suits because it has always seemed a little too aggressive to me. But given what is generally known about bullfighting, outside the plaza, red being the color most associated with the spectacle, I understand.

Plus that Adidas logo on the back is a very nice touch.

Fancy Feet That Run

2011-09-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

I have wide feet.

I mention this because I've always had a problem with finding shoes that would fit me. Maybe the length would be right but I wouldn't know because I wouldn't be able to squeeze my feet into them.

Adidas by Stella McCartney
Fortanima Boots

Thinking about going to New York one day, I started to imagine I'd like to be seen in. And I would come to the feet and think, "there is no way in HELL I am going to wear heels in New York." All the walking I'd be doing, I would be three blocks behind my friends because that's my relationship with heels.

So I started looking at shoes. Nothing looked like something that fit the idea in my head.

Then I discovered Stella McCartney's Fortanima Boots.

"Comfy," I thought, "but I don't know if they'd be comfortable for me in the calves." I have really thick calves and anything over the ankle, I think twice.

Jeremy Scott's Leopard Print Adidas JS Boots

And that's when I saw Jeremy Scott's rendition of the Adidas three-stripe logo and all hell broke loose.

Dare I try them? Apparently they are very limited edition and a tad higher in price than your regular Adidas. In boots, there was more of a selection with Scott.

So I put together an outfit.

In my mind, of course.

My grocery list would be as follows:

A pair of black Adidas JS Boots:

A pair of black dress shorts:

Gucci White Poplin Stretch Front Clasp Blouse

With a lovely little white blouse:

Trasparenze Delhi Hold-Ups

With some very nice stockings:

Adidas Jeremy Scott Fringe Bomber Jacket

And if it's cold out, a jacket to make the colors pop:

I get the feeling New York is going to be a lot of fun....

The Fashionable Shark: Poolwear

2010-04-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

I am a fan of being different. I can't stand uniformity and it goes against the very core of my being as much as I hate the pathetic whining of Veruca Salt and her absolute desire for a Golden Ticket.

That being said, my eyes hone in on what is aesthetically pleasing.

And here's one that will make you the envy of all: the Speedo Next Corset Back.

How can you not like a Moulin Rouge-style swimsuit?

I'm not too crazy about the print however...

If you were to ask (and then again, you might not), I would love to see John Galliano do some of his Dior magic for this suit.

Can you imagine this suit with a print from his 10 years of Dior collection?

Being a fan of woodblock prints, I can imagine this piece on this suit, for example:

Sans the collar, this suit would look pretty damn hot.

Men's suits are incredibly boring, in comparison. Granted, I'm not sure if I like this kind of swirly print on a long legged jammer for men but there has to be something more creative than just black shorts.

I understand that perhaps the regular male breeder does not like anything remotely ostentatious. I understand that perhaps rhinestones and feathers are not their thing. I understand all that. But can someone explain to me the fashionable aspect of jammers like these? And these are from Speedo's 2010 collection!

I am quite at a loss....

And several other brands have picked up the trend. The Orca CL-R Square Leg, for example:

I really do not understand....

So I implore the Couture Fairy to grant those efficient, performance-minded designers a little insight to the beauty of a garment, even if it is to sweat and get dirty in. I am a staunch believer that if you got it, flaunt it.

And believe me, tri-fit bodies have definitely got it. Why not look good?

I'm all for a retro-Tron look. Let me just get my belly in order and we'll talk....

As Mad As A Hatter Part 3: What's On a Runner's Noodle

2010-03-26T00:21:00.000-06:00

As far as I've seen, most triathletes are wearing pretty standard issue when it comes to the run. I always settle for a light colored cap so as not to roast in the early morning/afternoon sun, especially here in Cancun. Your run cap can come in all colors and sizes so I thought taking a look at what the pros are wearing is a better choice.

Take Craig Alexander. Here is the winner of the Kona Ironman 2009 from the land down under, modeling a very innovative MP3 version of the visor headband by Headsweat.

Before I could ever dream of becoming a triathlete, I remember perusing issues of Triathlete Magazine, back in the day, and seeing this very blonde woman gracing the front cover. Her name is Michellie Jones, Aussie Ironman competitor and champion. When I did my first 70.3 here in Cancun, it turned out that she was also competing. Imagine my shock when I saw this woman, who I had seen on so many covers and in so many ads over the years, famous in the triathlon world, suddenly show up in a competition you were doing. It's the equivalent of seeing Jason Priestly all those years on 90210 and then running into him at the supermarket.

In that particular event, she was matching very nicely in a black, green and pink ensemble that matched everything. And I mean everything. Her clothes matched her hat, matched her helmet, matched her bike, matched every accessory on her bike.

Like I said, during that one 70.3 I did, I wore a white cap and lots of water. Yep. Water. Gave myself a bath at every aid station. If a breeze wasn't going to cool me off, ice cold water drenching you and running down your head and back on a hot day is the most delicious feeling in the world.

There is really, absolutely, no comparison.

So go with what you feel most comfortable.

And a little water never hurt anybody.

Mad As A Hatter Part 2: The Dapper Cyclist's Topper

2010-03-22T00:17:00.001-06:00

One of the many things that catches the wandering eye of a spectator at a triathlon can be a bike helmet. My first mountain bike helmet was a Bell Sweep XC in ice blue. I loved how I looked like Goku from the Japanese anime "Dragonball Z", with the spiky points and all. It was an excellent helmet...until I crashed into a natty tree branch that caught me straight across the forehead. I did not see said branch because I was too busy trying to keep vertical, watching for jutting tree roots. Even with the crash, the only major thing that the helmet suffered was that the chin strap pulled hard and cracked the styrofoam.

I had to retire my poor helmet.

So I bought myself a nice Giro Atmos, a rather reliable helmet and nice looking (though I did prefer my Bell....).

The helmets that get the most attention, however, are the time trial helmets. Those helmets that look like something that could be out of Aliens Revisited, they are elongated and have a bit of a tail so that the rider can cut through the air. Obviously, you'd have to be a pretty good rider to really see the difference in times but you can't help but think they do kind of look sweet.

The biker ain't half bad, either....

Case in point, the Giro that Armstrong wore.

And obviously, if you really want to look badass, there area a couple of options. There is this new Rudy Project Wingspan Time Trial Helmet that's quite fetching.

You may also want to consider the Giro Advantage 2, especially with this check detail in the back. It offsets the norm in the sports world of using stripes or bolds. Save for soccer jerseys that look like the chuck wagon and those colorful downhill skiing jumpsuits, I believe the biking world is seeing something unprecedented. You have to love Italian design.

The final decision, as always, is yours. Not looking good this season is unfathomable. Next post: your run choices.

As Mad As A Hatter

2010-03-11T23:22:00.000-06:00

As I have mentioned before, I am a hat fiend. I am a discriminating hat fiend, however, and can't wear just anything. First reason is because my head is large. For a woman, whose daintiness also comes from her frame and, ultimately, from the size of her head in relation to the rest of her body, I feel that I am also proportional but on a larger scale. My torso may be small but my extremities are unlikely for a person my height. My head, at 60 cm/23.5 inches in circumference, falls definitely into the large-extremities category.

I've decided that this post must be about the toppers we don in a triathlon, one for each event (in most cases).

We'll start in order.

Swim caps come in an array of colors and are usually one standard size for adults. I have long hair and what tends to happen in my case is that during training or competition, my cap starts to slowly slide back. I have ripped many a cap in competition (even my first 70.3 cap which are normally thinner, about as thin as aluminum foil) due to the fact that the cap is about ready to shoot off my head because of the tight bun of hair at the back of my scalp.

One recommendation was to wear two caps so that the sliding is reduced. That worked somewhat well but it wasn't until the good people at Speedo thought about us with long Rapunzel-like ringlets that salvation was found: the Speedo Long Hair Cap, a cap with a bit of a pocket integrated into the material for those awkward buns.

Sakes alive, I believe we have a winner.

There have been tons of innovations in terms of swim caps since Busby Berkeley but I still think that if I were a synchronized swimmer, I would at least invest in one of Speedo's Flower Caps, a cap that covers down past the ears and decorated with enough silicone flowers to make even a flower pot in a hospital waiting room jealous.

There is also a non-flower-adorned version which most of those who have put their flower-power days behind them would appreciate. This particular model comes in two sizes, medium and large. It covers the ears quite nicely and reduces drag in the water.

Next post: your choice in helmets.

A Hand to a Glove

2010-03-03T22:51:00.000-06:00

I'm a hat girl. I love vintage hats and have a sizable collection, mostly from the 40s. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

I do not, however, own a pair of gloves to go with those fabulous hats.

I do own a pair for my biking needs.

Because I started out as a mountain biker, I grew on the tendency to wear full-finger gloves and of course, I looked for a pair that was aesthetically pleasing.

Hence the SixSixOne Comp Gloves, shown in a previous post. The problem with these gloves is that after about three months, the logo on the finger tips and on the back of the hand started falling off.

I still wear them but they now have holes in the finger tips.

Time for a new pair so I went looking again. I'm rather taken to SixSixOne when Thor caught my eye.

Thor is a motocross company and not a mountain biking one but the gloves continue in being pretty sweet.

Case in point: the Thor Core Gloves. Here is a pic:

The color combinations are very much in keeping with the types of outfits the motocross bikers wear. According to other reviews (for I have yet to get my pair), these are thinner than what is normally used.

Which would be ideal for roadies.

And a pair which would probably be too thick (but then again, do I care?) but has an incredible stylistic line to them are the 2009 Thor Static Gloves for Women.

The choices are many. I've never been truly conventional and thus never looking within the boundaries of one world to dress my own. These are my choices but I'm sure you'll agree, they ain't half bad.

Covering Your Mouth

2010-03-01T02:05:00.006-06:00

The mouth.

Such beauty that comes from it. Such foulness that it begets. It is the doorway of our life's breath and nourishment of that same life.We would all be lost without it. In my very humble opinion, second behind the eyes, I consider it the second most alluring thing on the face.

And most definitely, it must be protected.

I mention this because I've noticed a certain trend in fashion concerning the mouth.

Back in 2001, a French film by the name of Le Pact des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf), starring Vicent Cassel came out. Cassel and co-star Mark Dacascos don overcoats that button up right past the nose.

'Interesting,' I thought. 'I would love one of those.'

Of course, no one stocked such an overcoat and so I had to give up on the idea of one.

Then Lady Gaga shows up on one of her album covers with a similar look:

And as if it fell from a tree of all the wishes I had ever made, my wish landed right in my lap.

For all triathletes, runners or cyclists who live in cold, slightly rainy weather, I found the most badass jacket for this 2010, incorporating my much searched for jacket collar:

The Nalini Palombo Winter Jacket

It covers right up to the nose and comes up right on the hairline, a built-in ski mask on a jacket and it comes in red, black and white.

The only problem with this jacket is that its unisex, making it a little difficult for us women to figure what size would fit us (this jacket goes from size S to XXXL).

Put that together with a pair of nice gloves and you're set!

The Body As A Billboard

2010-02-28T00:35:00.004-06:00

Anyone who has watched professional sports can always see someone trying to make a buck through air time. You see brands flash by in a cacophony of color at events and there's always someone who is making the fashion statement of the day.

Usually it's the one with the bigger endorsement or has a lot of personality.

If I had to choose, I'd be in the latter category. And unless Nike starts to endorse people who rank top, from the bottom up, then I'll be in the "Personality" category for a while.

What I noticed in the Ironman series is that people are all about their uniforms, their compression gear (2XU made a killing with their compression calf guards) and their tattoos. And why the hell not? Here are people who train to one day be able to swim 2.3 miles, bike 111 miles and run a full marathon at 26 miles. All in one day.

I'm just surprised that it's only a tattoo that they want, after all that.

I long ago decided that I would not go the tattoo route, as much as I'd like to. I am blood type O+, making me a universal doner. I would much rather keep my blood clean in the likelihood that someone I know would need a length of colon or something.

My alternative then? I found just the perfect thing off of Chanel's Spring-Summer 2010 show: Les Trompe-L'oeil de Chanel. Chanel Body Art.

It's a series of temporary tattoos of iconic pieces of Chanel design and jewelry, everything from cherry blossom branches to the double "C" logo.

Yes, I would be looney enough to wear that in a triathlon. The only place I could imagine wearing it, though, would be on the wrist. On the legs, like these models, though nice, can never be seen under the tri shorts one would wear.

Chanel Body Art on one wrist, my Polar on the other!

Personally, I've always been a fan of doing the most peculiar and if I had the money sitting around somewhere, I might consider the Oakley Medusa, a scary kind of bondage cap plus goggles. The dreds on that plus my already long hair and I think we've got ourselves the winner of this year's Miss Congeniality Contest.

I think I need a pair of leather opera gloves, like the model.

That, paired with the Cervelo Test Team jersey and I think we have the best dressed person at any triathlon!

I wonder if you can get the dreds on the Medusa through the holes in a bike helmet...

The Brand Cat

2010-02-26T00:12:00.001-06:00

I am a discerning brand cat.

'Brand cat?' you may ask. 'What on God's green earth is that?'

I was hanging out with Amy one day, in her apartment in downtown Mexico City. She had two cats at the time, Sarai and Tita. Sarai was probably the most intelligent cat I've ever come across in my life. With her front paw, she would swipe a paw-full of dry cat food and throw it into the water dish, eat her fill and leave the water dish an unappetizing murky brown. She only ate certain foods and was enamored with wet cat food but only a certain kind. If it wasn't Whiskas, she wouldn't eat it. Hence "Brand Cat" was born.

I'm a brand cat as well, but I have to admit, I'm picky. I like certain brands but more than anything, they have to adhere to my aesthetic and my sense of the product's image. For instance, I would not buy Prada running shoes, as much as I like their sunglasses and purses, for the same reason I would not buy a Nike cocktail dress (if they did make them), for as street sassy as their tops may be.

Go with what you do best.

I do agree with a tasteful combination.

Here's an example:

You've just finished a sprint and you pick up your bag of personal items (where you usually put your lubricant to protect from the salt burn against your skin while you swim, your protein bars, your hydration, etc...). Cancun (where I presently live) is usually not cold enough to pack a long-sleeved jacket. Get a baggy sleeveless t-shirt or a tank top to throw on. Sleeveless because your arms and legs will still have your bib numbers on them and you don't want to dirty your clothes too much. Get a nice sarong or a wrap to complement your shirt and tie it on like a mini skirt. Or use a thick canvas belt instead. Put on your cap or a nice bandana together with your shades and you’re good to go to the awards ceremony.

Whatever you decide on, the key points are:

Something made out of cotton or some easily washable material.
Baggy. Putting on something form-fitting after an athletic event where your body is swollen is probably not the most appropriate.
Sunglasses.

Years ago, I remember going back home to San Francisco after years of not going and was surprised to see young high schooler Asian girls, plain-looking and unkempt. Baggy clothing and thick, bulky jackets. I was saddened, to tell the truth. I knew that deep down, those girls had something attractive but they blocked it all off. I should know; I was one of them.

This is not about buying just a brand. You can buy anything you like. I just believe that every woman has something within her that is worth seeing but only if she herself wants to see it too.

Leather Pants vs. Tri Wetsuit

2010-02-24T02:51:00.002-06:00

On a whim, I just bought a triathlon wetsuit, dirt cheap, off of eBay.

I live in Cancun so the likelihood of me using a wetsuit here would be unlikely. But seeing as that triathlons are a part of my life now, I can see myself doing one in a colder city.

Hence, a very good purchase.

Like a little kid on Christmas Day, I took my box into my room and proceed to put out the suit.

The box is literally a pizza box with the very cool logo of 2XU (my wetsuit's manufacturer) on the front. I was skeptical that the suit would fit in the box and dreaded that there was no way I could have bought a $300 USD suit for $50 and worried that the box would arrive with only a photo of my wetsuit, nothing more.

There was a photo on my invoice as well as the product. I pulled it out and looked at it.

"My," I thought. "It's rather long."

There's nothing to it, I thought. I stood and pushed my left foot through the pant sleeve.

The next 20 minutes can only be described as me being stupidly tortured. As I pulled my leg through, I realized that wetsuits do not function like normal pants. They do not slide up and they got stuck...around my calf. A new one for me seeing as that I have a rather large ass and in my case, the pants that do not fit me normally do not make it past my thighs and hips and not my calves! I carefully pulled at the neoprene, hoping that I don't tear them on the first day of having them. I tugged, pulled, smoothed and did it all over again.

By now, I felt hot and I did not know if it was from the actual heat of the evening or if this tugging and pulling business was making me break out into a sweat. All the while, trying to beat down the encroaching thought that I did not know how to put on a wetsuit.

Never in my life had I had such problems trying to put on an article of clothing.

By the time I got it to my waist, the pant legs were no where near well fitted and my crotch reached as far as three inches away from it was supposed to be. Gingerly, I pulled the suit front up to me and slid my arms through.

I was thankful that I didn't buy a sleeved version.

After more pulling and tugging, I was able to pull the zipper up my back. I felt like I had just run a 400 meter sprint, there was so much exertion involved.

I stepped in front of the mirror. My crotch was still not aligned with my torso, giving me a bagginess that was reminiscent of my diaper days. My ankles and left knee were still a little bunched up and tight from just the sheer impossibility of pulling the suit further up my leg.

From the waist up, however, I didn't look too bad.

I looked almost badass.

Pulling off the suit was nearly as hard as getting it on. I took care not to fall on my head as I pulled. By the time it was off, my wetsuit was completely drenched in sweat.

I'm definitely going to need more practice.

Maybe I'll go out and buy something easier to practice with, like patent leather pants.

The Roots

2010-02-23T01:14:00.002-06:00

I am a triathlete. Not a very good one but my goal is to become better. Among my many hobbies and interests, I love fashion.

I can blame my father, who used to be a travel agent. Long ago, when the word "Milano" just meant another trip to Italy, I remember my father at the tailor's, looking for a dress suit to wear and getting fitted into one, opting to getting them made instead of buying them in the States. American men were bigger in frame next to my father's thin, sinewy body type. American clothes never fit him.

I read this now and think how arrogant this sounds. How let-me-take-the-jet-for-a-Paris-shopping-spree-weekend it sounds.

But it wasn't.

I just saw it all as that trip to Europe to run around museums and eat good food. Little did I know that other kids did not spend their Sundays eating Italian headcheese, German baloney and prosciutto with bread sticks and baguettes, washed down with bottles of Perrier. That I was very much in a world of my own.

Growing up in San Francisco, I wasn't from a well-off family but books were always a part of my life, where fashion was not. My father had strict control of the reins in terms of what his daughter was to wear so it wasn't until I hit college, for the first time out of the house, that my personality was allowed to take on its true form and all my forms of expression followed likewise.

One of which was my personal fashion sense.

I owe much of my fashion awakening to a good friend, Amy. Having done photography as a major in art school was no small feat, seeing as that EVERYONE always tried to one up the other, in terms of the most artistically liberal. In Amy’s case, that meant wearing to class a tight, mermaid-type dress from the 60s, so tight it was difficult to walk, coupled with a pair of very tall platforms and topped (literally) with a wig that was a one-foot tall beehive. I was only always fascinated with hats (direct result of having watched “The Untouchables” as a child) but Amy brought vintage women’s hats into my life.

And where there was a hat, there had to be an outfit. Slowly, the fashionista in me wandered out and I saw that fashion was more than just very expensive clothing. It is dressing yourself in what is most aesthetically pleasing to your particular frame.

In the world of triathlons, most have a very nice looking frame. And to boot, there are clothes to accentuate that.

So the helmet has to match the outfit, which has to match the gloves, which all in the end, have to match the bike itself.

I had found my home and my goal in life: to bring a little spice in variety and show the triathlon community that a pair of Oakley Jawbones would look good with Love & Friendship Mac Nail Lacquer.

I have spoken: hear me roar.