NewsIronman Christmas Toys ... Part 3
Ironman Christmas Toys ... Part 3
Published Thursday, December 15, 2005
Still stumped on what to get the Ironman in your life? Don't fret ... Despite the fact that the retail world is trying to tell you that you're into last minute mode, here at Ironmanlive we've got lots of great ideas for you!
Ever spent a few hours on a CompuTrainer getting ready for an early season Ironman event?
If you have, you’ll know all-too-well how much easier doing those long rides is when you can be inspired by an Ironman DVD. Even if the Ironman in your life happens to be one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have to do much riding indoors, he or she will still be thrilled to find an Ironman DVD, or two (or an entire set – and no, I don’t get a commission!) under the tree this holiday.
This year’s coverage of the Ford Ironman World Championship is available on DVD now at www.ironmandvd.com
If you’re feeling like really outfitting the Ironman in your life, you could also look into some of the great Ironman Activewear (www.ironmanactivewear.com) that’s available. The new “Extreme” line includes everything from tri shorts to full tri suits in a variety of cool colors and styles. There’s a great attention to detail with the new apparel. The “Extreme Tri Sleeveless Suit,” for example, is a tight fitting suit with a protected zipper on the front. The small seamless chamois padding is made of brushed nylon lycra and has an anti-bacterial finish which all ensures maximum comfort. There are leg grippers with new silicone to make sure the legs don’t ride up.
Whether it be a full tri suit, tri short or one of the Extreme “Zip Tops,” the Ironman in your life will be thrilled to race and train in some comfortable clothing that prominently displays that Mdot!
No Ironman athlete can do without swim goggles, and it doesn’t get much better on the goggle front than either an Ironman Seal Mask or Ironman Kaiman goggle from Aqua Sphere www.aquasphereusa.com. These goggles are so popular with Ironman athletes that the start of the Ford Ironman World Championship looked like an Aqua Sphere convention.
The Seal Mask has a patented curved lens that provides 180-degree peripheral vision without distortion. It has a “dive-quality” silicone skirt which provides a comfortable, watertight fit and easy-adjust buckles let you concentrate on your workout - not on your equipment. It’s available in a variety of frame colors and four lens types: clear, tinted, mirrored and amber.
My personal favorite is the Ironman Kaiman goggle. It’s more like a traditional swim goggle than the Seal Mask and is made of “Softeril.” I have no idea what “Softeril” is but I can tell you it makes for a comfortable goggle that won’t leak and provides excellent visibility. As an added bonus for open water swimming, the Kaiman also provides 100% UVA and UVB protection. The Kaiman is available in a variety of colors and comes in large and small sizes for adults and children. (Last year Santa brought a pair of Kaiman goggles to each of our kids!) Available lens options include clear, tinted, mirrored, blue and amber.
You can’t swim without goggles, and you can’t ride without tires! Michelin makes the official bicycle tire of the Ironman Triathlon. The Michelin Ironman® road racing tire is a responsive high performance tire that’s essential equipment if you’re serious about training or racing. It has the lowest rolling resistance of any racing tire, along with outstanding tread life. The red and black tire has the Ironman logo on the side, and is available in both 650c and 700c sizes. (For more information, click here)
One thing no Ironman family seems to be able to do without is an Ironman bag – maybe that’s only my family, but there sure seems to be a lot of them kicking around our house! Ironman Sport Bags (ironmansportbags.com) have a sport bag for every need. There are a variety of back packs and duffle bags on offer – don’t worry, they all live up to the Ironman name!
The “Mungo Travel Roller” has a huge main storage area, multiple internal mesh pockets, in-line wheels and a locking telescopic handle. Made of ballistic and dobby nylon, there’s a PVC bottom that adds to the durability. My Ironman travel roller has gone the distance for me during my crazy travel schedule – it’s definitely a keeper!
Another mainstay in my training regimen is the Ironman “Transition Backpack”. Unlike any of the other triathlon specific backpacks I’ve tried in the past, this one has taken it’s fair share of abuse, and is still in great shape more than a year after I started using it! With a Separate wet/dry storage area, shoe compartments, a cell holder, goggles holder, a chest strap, a sure-grip top handle and a Jacket/towel holder, the Transition Backpack is a great way to carry all my training equipment.
For just cruising around, my kids love using the “Metro Trapezoid.” It’s made with ballistic nylon, has a CD holder and external CD port, an internal zippered pocket and a padded shoulder strap.
