New gear = New Fun!

What a busy week this has been!

I'm psyched because I got tons of new gear last weekend which has been fun to try out. When I was preparing for my last 1/2 Ironman I didn't own a wetsuit (because I couldn't find one that fit), I didn't have a very good nutrition strategy, a fast aero bike, I didn't even have tri-shorts.

The biggest reason for all of this was size. When I started doing triathlon I was 285lbs. I couldn't find a tri-suit in my size, let alone a wetsuit. Even a fuelbelt wouldn't fit around my waist :(

But after a summer off due to surgery and some ass-kicking coaching from Coach David I am leaner, happier and ready to rock and roll with some sweet gear.

I discovered that due to huge hips I have (ironic since I won't be having any kids) it's hard to find a wetsuit because most suits for my weight are for 5'11 and taller guys with no hips. But Orca makes a great suit for short and stocky guys so I scored that.

When you're doing a 1/2 Ironman it's advantageous to have a 2 pc tri-suit because you will likely need to make a few "rest stops" and taking a 1 pc suit off when it's damp is a challenge. So I found some tri-shorts from TYR size XL. WOO HOO, a normal size.

Last summer I bought a Fuel Belt (for those not familiar with the lingo, it's the belt with the mini-bottles that runners wear during long runs to hold water, sports drink etc). So I got Size XL but when I tried it on this summer it was way to big. Awesome! I exchanged it for a Size L and it worked so well. I have the 4 bottle version and each bottle holds 7oz. I filled 2 bottles with water and 2 with GU20 sports drink. There's also a little pocket which holds GU or an energy bar or something.

So I'm geared out. I've got my new bike, new wetsuit, new shorts, new fuel belt, new coach and already WAY faster times this season. HOORAY!

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I'm heading out Sunday for a week long business meeting but I'm doing a long brick Saturday before I leave and an 85 min treadmill run while I'm there.

I had an epiphany while I was doing my 75 min run earlier this week. I am doing my long runs without walking. None at all. I'm just consistently holding my pace. It never even occurred to me that I wasn't walking until I was reflecting on how my training had progressed these last few months. Early on, I was doing 5min at 4 MPH and 5 min at 5MPH and so on (gradually reducing my time at 4 and upping my time at 5). As 4 MPH is a walking pace for me I was getting walk breaks pretty consistently. About 6 weeks ago I started with a 30min continuous run and what do you know I'm now doing 75 min at a 12 min mile pace. I'm like a metronome, Amazing!

Stay Tuned for more Speed Leopard adventures from sunny Florida :)