Fav Gear & Grub
Listen: https://on.soundcloud.com/bmCsx Fav Gear & Grub
With spring comes more training outdoors, which means more gear and more grub. As many of us move from quick access to the fridge and temperature control while training indoors, to the unpredictable outdoor elements – with the fridge far from our fingertips – it’s a great time to share my favourite training gear and grub. To be clear, I don’t represent any of these brands so these recommendations are just my personal preferences.
Everyone is a little obsessed with running shoes so I’ll start there. Haters gonna hate, but I love the Nike Vaporflies for speed sessions and racing. I keep my older pair for my weekly speed sessions to give me some carbon courage when facing down a daunting VO2 max session that has me a little worried. They are soooo light and responsive. I simply haven’t found anything that compares. but keep in mind, running shoes are very individual, so this is just my 2 cents.
If you’ve ever seen a race pic of me running, I’m probably wearing my rabbit brand Speed Leggy shorts and Crop Hop tank. I swear I will never change this race outfit. I can stuff four gels in each side pocket of the shorts so I no longer need to wear a fuel belt, which is a game changer, and the crop top is big enough to pin a bib too, but not much bigger, so keeps you nice and cool.
On the run my only fuel is Cliff Shots Double Expresso with 100mg of caffeine. These gels taste so good that I actually hold them in my mouth for as long as possible to savour them, and that is saying a lot about a gel. I also use Base Salts, which are held in a container the size of a lip balm and easily stuffed into my shorts or sports bra. You might also find some candy canes stuffed in other creases and crevices.
Biking in the unpredictable weather of northern Alberta, Canada means I own a lot of cycling gear. My favourite new piece is a down puffer vest from Café Du Cycliste. I recently discovered the masterpiece jersey from tan line. It is so buttery soft and light it feels like wearing silk pajamas. This makes getting out the door in the morning much easier sometimes.
When it comes to rain and wind, nothing beats Castelli’s raincoat. It is 100 per cent rain and wind proof and so thin it rolls up small enough to fit in your cycling jersey pocket. I rarely leave home without it. Castelli also makes the most delicious, lightweight winter riding jacket. Pair it with a long sleeve jersey from Rapha and you are golden even when the needle drops below 10 degrees Celsius.
And for your feet, nothing beats the dainty feel of pas normal studio cycling socks. For shades, I was never able to get behind the latest fashion as my face is pretty small so the wrap around Oakley style looks ridiculous on me. surprisingly though, the large wraparound pair from Assos fit comfortably, act similar to a visor and are so light you forget you’re wearing them. The only draw back is my friend says I look like bono when I wear them. Hmmm.
On the bike I can eat just about anything, but my pockets are usually stuffed with mars bars and peanut butter and molasses sandwiches. I finally found a thermal coffee mug that is made to fit in a bottle cage – thank you Rapha. So, basically my life is now complete. Nothing beats Snake and Pig goggles for leaving the pool without racoon rings around your eyes for the rest of the day.
These goggles sit so nicely on your face and somehow magically keep the water out without sucking on your face and leaving ruts that age you about 20 years. However, that might make you look older and wiser, and garner more respect at the office after your morning swim session. For après swim, bike, run, I’m back in my rabbit brand Ez Joggers. nothing beats rabbit for softness and comfort. I am essentially down to living in one brand now. If only it were appropriate to wear sweatpants to every occasion. I need to start this movement.
So now that I’ve made the rounds biking, running and swimming, and I’m back in my comfy Ez Joggers, it’s time for another cappuccino and recovery bite, which for me is the tea biscuit covered in butter, or a toasted baguette with butter and jam. Noting pairs with a coffee better than fat and sugar. I need to leave a little room for the protein though, which is usually scrambled eggs because by that time I’m super lazy.
The finishing piece to a training day after being wrapped in soft fabric with a warm belly full of coffee and topped with butter, sugar and room for egg, is a pair of long, warm, lightweight wool socks by Eivy.
If you find me in my Eivy socks you know my day’s work is done and the only thing left on the agenda is dog cuddles - and maybe one more cappuccino.