Ironman Christmas Toys

Well, it's come to be that time of year ... and since every website, magazine, television news station, and 10-year-old has some sort of a Christmas goody list ready to go, it's time Ironmanlive jumped into the fray. This week's instalment includes some "big ticket" items that will excite any Ironman enthusiast.

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We’re not going to do this series without some planning. This is the first of four stories full of great Christmas ideas slated for this month, so our first instalment, on this first day of December, includes some great Ironman goodies that might take a bit more time to organize. These gifts are for the oh-so-organized family and friends of oh-so-serious Ironman athletes – we are, of course, still 24 days out! If you’re not one of those early shopping types … Fear not … we’ll be posting a story a week leading up to the big day when good ol’ St. Nick makes his deliveries, so we’ll have you covered no matter how late you might be with your Christmas shopping!

 

Getting a CompuTrainer (www.computrainer.com) into the house without an avid triathlete knowing about it is, well, like trying to get a bag of dog treats past a Labrador Retriever.

 

(I’ve attempted both, without much luck on either front!)

 

Don’t sweat getting caught with the CompuTrainer if it arrives early, though. (This happened to a friend of mine last year, and his wife was more than willing to overlook the lack of a surprise!) You’re guaranteed to be the hit of Christmas if you’re willing to spring for one of these!

 

Once hooked up to a computer, you can race against a pacer, an old performance, or someone else over virtually any course around the world on the CompuTrainer. You can test your power, spinning efficiency and aerobic fitness to measure improvement.

 

It’s a training tool that will take indoor training to a whole new level, not only simulating the outdoor riding experience, but enhancing it.

 

If the avid triathlete in the house already has a CompuTrainer, don’t be afraid to spring for another one. There’s nothing like the Christmas competitive spirit that pits a husband and wife against each other over a hilly course on Christmas day! (Really, that never happens in the Mackinnon household … well, at least not on Christmas day, anyway.)

 

Already have two CompuTrainers in the house? OK, how’s your Ironman addict’s swimming? Heard too much griping about getting to the pool, or how hard it is to get out the door for a 6AM masters swim practice?

 

A friend of mine felt that way last Christmas, and came up with a simple answer: An Endless Pool (www.endlesspools.com). Both he, and his Ironman Florida bound spouse were much happier all year long!

 

An Endless Pool is a counter-current swimming and exercise machine that has been called the “treadmill for swimmers.”  The ultimate train-at-home swim coach provides convenience, privacy and tools to adequately prepare for competition. While training in an Endless Pool, athletes can monitor stroke mechanics, improve technique and increase stamina by gradually adjusting the current intensity.

Limited space can be easily converted into limitless possibilities with an Endless Pool. The Endless Pool provides all the benefits of a full-size swimming pool in a fraction of the space. The only complaint my friend heard last Christmas holiday was how much time he was spending modifying a room in his house to hold the new pool!

Endless Pools can be set up inside or out, and, thanks to the adjustable current, provide enough of a challenge for even the most competitive of Ironman participants. They are simple to maintain and economical to run, too.

 

OK, we’ve covered swimming and biking … what about our Ironman running needs?

 

Right now you can get a great deal on the Ironman Inspire Treadmill through Costco. (To link to the site, click here.)

It looks great, offers proven performance, is rugged and durable, and provides maximum flexibility – doesn’t that sound like a typical Ironman athlete?

As with all Ironman treadmills, the cutting-edge ergonomic and biomechanical design of the Inspire utilizes solid 11-gauge steel framework, backed by a lifetime warranty, to provide years of gym-quality performance. A chest strap heart rate transmitter relays data to the large blue backlit LCD console, which gives precise readouts of heart rate, time, distance, speed, pace, incline and calories burned. A Large 3.0 continuous duty horsepower motor powers the variable speed running surface at up to 10 mph, while a two-speed cooling fan, EKG grip pulse and remote handlebar controls allow maximum comfort and effortless control. The 2-stage shock design that lowers the deck slowly from the fold up position provides added safety while the front transport wheels allow for easy storage.

 

OK, so now you have 24 days to think about all this and get yourself organized! Our next “Christmas Toys” story will focus on some smaller training toys … sorry, training tools … for the Ironman competitor in your life.