OCEANSIDE, RIVERSIDE, LAKESIDE, POOLSIDE,

One of the challenges in training and enjoying multisport is having the right tools to help accomplish things in tricky conditions.  One of the trickiest conditions that we face is water.  Here are 3 companies that have created water specific gear that helps keep things rolling even when you get wet.

OLUKAI- Shoes for the water

This is a very unique shoe that handles running in and out of the water.  I took these on a hike in the jungle in Costa Rica and then walked on the jagged lava rock surrounding the beach.  The grip is incredible and the fit is perfect for in and out of the water. There is not any drag with this shoe when it gets wet.  The shoe drains easily. The shoe can be worn comfortably without a sock and the inside is very smooth and form fitting.  When it is laced up the shoe hugs the ankle to prevent sand or rocks from getting stuck inside.  This shoe is the official footwear of the Hawaiian Lifeguard association.  Rigors that these highly trained guards go through on a daily basis is proof that this shoe is very durable and fit for use in challenging terrain.  Whether it is rivers, lakes, or the ocean these handle it all very well.

http://www.olukai.com/Product_Featured_Kamiki_10191-4043.aspx

DAKINE- Bag for the water

No worries around the water with this backpack.  Perfect for the boat, beach, or just taking precious gear that needs to be kept dry or kept from getting other things wet.  Quality construction is built into everything DAKINE builds.  This is a great bag to take anything to the wettest places on the planet.  I took it for a week to Costa Rica and had my laptop, Ipad, phones, eton speakers in the bag to keep it dry.  I particularly like the shoulder straps and how comfortable they are.  I wore the bag walking across the Dallas Fortworth airport during a 5 hour layover.  The back pad has a mesh so the contact on back and shoulders is very breathable.  I just added this bag to my essentials luggage quiver. This bag is 36 liters!  You can fit a ton of stuff.  

http://www.dakine.com/p/backpacks/surf-backpacks/2013-summer/cyclone-dry-pack-36l

DRYCASE-  take the technology into the water (Submerge it!).

This is a fun case.  The best use of this that I found for multisport was being able to film my swim stroke under water.  With my iphone I can start filming and then submerge it as deep as needed (upto 100 feet). We played with this in the ocean, and a pool.  The confidence in this waterproof iphone, or ipad case is the seal test valve.  This valve allows all the air to be sealed out.  So be careful then because it will sink quickly if you don’t have it secured.  I threw it to the bottom of a 10 foot pool and had my kids dive for it.  We had a blast filming in and out of the water.  Take your technology to the water with confidence that you won’t get it wet.

I also like the sealed earphone jack that allows me to listen to tunes or answer my phone while it is totally sealed. 

http://www.drycase.com/waterproof_Smartphone_case_Smartphone_waterproof_case_waterproof_case_for_Smartphones_waterproof_cases_for_Smartphones.html

GRAMICCI

Essentials for your next summer adventure

Gramicci has made so many a pieces of clothing that have amazing performance, comfort, and unique style. 

Firs,t I am excited about the athletic fit of the NPT (natural performance technology) top.  They have this in a long sleeve or short sleeve (long sleeve is the BURNHAM and short sleeve is the MCKAY).  This is a more fitted shirt that can be used for the most technical adventure and still feel, look, and smell good after serious activity.  Here are the materials, 53% Hemp, 44 % organic cotton, 3%spandex.  This NPT line is built with the kinetic knit which doesn’t shrink or have twisted seams from washing or active wear.  This mix of materials is perfect.  This is not your traditional tech shirt.  It is soft and more of a garment that hugs evenly around the shoulders and waist.  This top allows for full range of motion without being baggy.  Whether you are running, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, doing pull-ups, pushups, or wearing a CAMELBAK you feel complete comfort.  

http://www.gramicci.com/shop/logo-burnham-organic-performance-long-sleeve-crew-p-7913.html

The NPT Kinetic knit is the most unique athletic fabric used in a shirt that I have ever used.  The garment did not respond well in humid hot weather.  My first runs in the top were in the long sleeve in 40-60 degrees farenheit temps great for cooler temps, and great for swings in temperature.  Then I took the short sleeve on a run in Costa Rica.  It was a 90 degree run on the beach at sunset in total humidity.  The shirt was soaked entirely after an hour.  This is a great shirt in temperatures below 90 degrees for the short sleeve.  And the long sleeve is great for activities less than 70.  I have really enjoyed running in this shirt on runs where the temperature cools at the start and gradually gets colder with elevation increases.  This is a great shirt when you don’t want to smell.  Perfect for a long activity where you will be carrying only the essentials.  Unlike most tech shirts that after a few hours wick away moisture but leave the smell the NPT has odor control because of the natural fabric.  The garment holds up great wash after wash.  

http://www.gramicci.com/shop/organic-mckay-performance-crew-p-7813.html?show_color=SEA+PORT+BLUE

 That brings me to my favorite hoodie EVER!  The ALBION ROCKAWAY Hoodie is what you want in the cool morning of race day and for the evening around the campfire.  This hoddie does well in all situations.  And after you try it on you don’t want to take it off.  I fell asleep in the airport wearing this.  This is a loose fitting hoodie that is the perfect balance of breathable and soft and snuggly.  Man! This looks great.  I love this hoodie. Before testing this I found saw a picture and thought that it looked super nice.  Then in reality it looks even better.  The striped fabric is soft and I like the loose fit and feel.  Made of 4 way stretch French terry material. 

http://www.gramicci.com/shop/albion-rockaway-hoodie-p-7943.html?show_color=CHARCOAL+GREY

The Gramicci QUICK TRAIL BREAK CARGO shorts are bold GREEN.  This is a reminder of what made gramicci the clothing company that understands form and function.   The crotch region is exactly what is needed for flexible activity whether you are climbing, hiking, slacklining or just want something to go over your tri shorts before your next event.  With the built in adjustable belt there is no worry about dropping the drawers.  The no rip material is super breathable and has a mesh liner inside to keep things from snagging or rubbing.  These shorts are the perfect casual length and very comfortable.  Made out of 100% ROCKET dry nylon. 

http://www.gramicci.com/shop/quick-break-trail-cargo-short-p-7623.html?show_color=WILLOW+GREEN

Of all these items we tested I noticed that they all travel well.  Not bulky clothing light and tough.  Gramicci has a great summer line of button down shirts, shorts, technical shorts, pants, and much more.  If you are looking for apparel that will withstand the rigorous adventures you will undergo look no further GRAMICCI has truly answered the call.  Superior quality and great value in everything they produce.  Gramicci is for those who want something unique and different.  

P.S.  The fall 2013 line has some killer new items.  Stay tuned.      

ST. GEORGE TRIATHLON BBSC

May 18^th 2013

FAMILY TRI

We decided as a family a couple months ago that we wanted to train for a triathlon together.  When we proposed this idea they were very enthusiastic.  We decided that we would do the St. George BBSC triathlon on May 18^th.  We chose this event because of the 2012 BBSC events that I participated in. The St. George TRI in 2012 and the Pumpkinman in October at Lake Mead Nevada were 2 great venues with exceptional organization,  fantastic course management, and thorough safety measures. 

Let the training begin.  My wife and I train 4 days a week at GPP fitness at 5:45 am.  For the 2 months leading up to the event we would take our 14 and 11 year old on short runs a couple times per week after our workouts.  We had to build up the mileage slowly for these boys.  Eventually they were getting their wind and were able to run without stopping every mile.  This was a fun way for my wife and I to share our passion for training and competing. 

It turned out to be an amazing day.  The conditions were perfect- cool morning temperatures, no wind on the Sand Hollow reservoir, and great energy.  Our boys are strong swimmers: Isaac 14, Jonah 11, Elijah 7, and Josh 4 (he was the coach).  This was their first triathlon.  We decided the 3 older boys would compete and Brooke would do the sprint later that day. 

They all participated in the shorter KIDS course: 100 meter swim, 2 mile bike, and 1 mile run.  I was in charge of my 7 year old.  The race started at 7am.  Before that the boys all jumped in the water and started swimming around.  My 7 year old Elijah was getting cold and right before they started he was saying that he was not going to race.  So then the horn blew and my wife threw him on my back and I jumped in and made him start swimming.  Meanwhile Isaac and Jonah were off.  The 14 year old was the first one out of the water and the 11 year old was 4^th out of the water.  The only regret I have is that we didn’t have real road bikes for them.  They each had mountain bikes and eventually a lot of kids with real road bikes caught up with them.   They all did well I was so proud of them.   

Parents were allowed to be with children for the whole KIDS race.  I swam with Elijah and then ran next to him on the bike and run. I had to remind him a few times that he needed to pedal when he would start testing out his brakes and get distracted with his surroundings and weaving from side to side.  It was so fun to see all the kids out there giving it their all.  I really enjoyed the opportunity to watch my boys try something new that took them each out of the comfortable and into something exciting and healthy. 

Being with my seven year old was so funny.  When we finished the swim he started celebrating.  I could already see how excited he was because he realized he almost chose not to participate.   Then I had to remind him that we were going to the bikes now.  He needed to be reminded about not riding his bike through transition coming and going.  He was so excited in transition he didn’t even wait for me he just took off. 

I saw Isaac and Jonah out on the bike and run and they were in the lead pack.   I was so excited to see them at the finish line.  It was a pure celebration.  The first thing Jonah said with a huge grin was “Dad I totally puked after crossing the finish line!” he was so proud of himself.   He knew he had pushed himself to the limit.  Isaac said, “Dad that was great I want to do that again.”  Elijah said “ Dad I liked running the best cuz I was fast in my new shoes.”  My four year old Josh had a job to COACH everyone the whole time so he was cheering everyone on during the entire race.  We could tell he really wanted a medal. The 3 older boys received the same finisher medals that the regular participants do. 

The first wave of the adult competition started at 8am and we all went down by the water and watched while our boys played in the water.   Everything starts on time with BBSC.  The layout was easy to watch transition and see my wife coming and going.  When we met her at the finish the first thing she did was give her medal to our 4 year old and said, “Thanks for being such a good coach.”  Then she got another medal for being 3^rd in her age group.  

There was a nice post race sandwich, chips and a beverage.  We went down to the shore with our food and cooled off in the reservoir.  Our boys were having so much fun they didn’t want to leave.  While we were going to our car COACH Josh kept saying to everyone riding bikes to their cars “good job bikers!”

This was my favorite triathlon ever and I didn’t even compete.  I was so excited to see my whole family enjoying this great sport together.  We all talked about it for the rest of the day.  My boys all asked when we were going to do it again.  When we were sitting at dinner they all shared what their favorite part was.  I was so glad to hear them each congratulating each other for a great outcome and a memorable day. 

The Kid’s course followed the same route as the Sprint and Olympic just shorter distance.  One of the things that made me confident in having this as the first experience for my boys was the course layout.  Everything is clearly marked with BBSC.  The full road closures add an extra sense of safety throughout the race especially at the intersections.    BBSC has numerous volunteers from start to finish.  The race director at the beginning of every wave communicated very clearly what was happening.  I am always impressed with BBSC events.  BBSC provided a fantastic family triathlon experience.  If you have kids that are interested in TRI this is a great event for amazing family fun.