Cycling Clothing I Like - Velocio Helen Wyman Kit

The blue matches my bike nicely

Purchase the jersey here!
Purchase the bib shorts here!
Purchase the jacket here!
Purchase the arm warmers here!

I am a huge fan of Velocio's entire line of cycling clothing, and for the next few days many of their winter pieces (including this kit) are 25% off. Shop their Winter Sale now through February 8, 2016!

Those silver tabs are reflective!

Pros:

• The thermal bibs are warm and cozy without being bulky or unwieldy. 
• The fabrics are warm but still breathe.
• The fit is amazing - everything feels like a second skin!

Cons:

• I wish the bib shorts matched some of Velocio's other jerseys better!
• These pieces are not cheap, though they are well made.

Love the fit!

My Thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of cycling outside year-round. Yes, I know I live in Southern California. However, I often ride at 5:00 in the morning, and it can get down into the low 30s (Fahrenheit). That is "freaking cold" in my book, and I think we can all agree that you don't just throw on a jersey and bibs and hope you warm up quickly at that temperature.

Velocio has helped make these chilly morning rides so much more comfortable. I used to have to really bundle up to stay warm, which made moving pretty difficult. The material Velocio uses isn't super bulky, but it keeps you toasty when you're cold. Once you start to warm up, there's no sauna effect - the materials also breathe!

The lighter blue patterned part is made of a lighter fabric

The lower collars of Velocio's jerseys are a game-changer for me. I've always been annoyed by the "dueling collar" effect of the jersey's collar bunching up against the jacket's collar, and I always seem to get too warm with two collars but too cold when I zip the jacket collar down. This lower collar doesn't interfere with the jacket's collar whatsoever, and my temperature remains just right.

Depending on the weather, I've been pairing the jersey with Velocio's arm warmers or their regular MID Jacket. I debated getting the Helen Wyman one to match, but it doesn't really match any of my other kits. I have really long arms, so I love that the arm warmers are nice and long. There's nothing worse than having the arm warmer and jersey just barely meet up so that the second you go into the drops you end up with exposed skin. It's been pretty windy lately, so I've been mostly wearing the MID Jacket - it does an excellent job of blocking the wind without creating an upper body sauna once you warm up.

The mesh panel adds warm and helps keep everything in :)

For me, the thermal bibs are the crowning achievement of this kit. It literally feels like you're riding in your most warm and comfortable pair of pajamas - that also happen to fit extremely well. Whomever created this fabric is a genius. It is incredibly soft and cozy on the inside, water repellant on the outside, but still breathes when you start to warm up. 

Like the rest of Velocio's bib shorts, they have an amazing chamois. The longest I've gone in these bibs is 30 miles, but I am confident they would be fine for a century. In my experience, I can tell whether a chamois will pass the 100 mile test in the first 15 miles or so. Honestly, the only thing I would change would be to offer an all-black version to match more of Velocio's jerseys!

For your reference, I am a Small in the bib shorts and a Medium in the jersey and jacket. I could probably get by with the Small jersey/jacket, but my pack rat ways mean I like extra room to fill up the pockets. I got an XS in the arm warmers because the Small was out of stock. They definitely fit on the snug side, though not uncomfortably so. 

Thanks for stopping by! This is not a sponsored post – I purchased the above item(s) with my own money and I am reviewing the product(s) because I like them a lot. :) There may be Amazon Affiliate links, but I am not compensated by or affiliated with the manufacturer of the product(s).

Monday Mileage - Whoops, Another Two-Fer

I have no idea how time flies by so fast! Work, life, and training have all been pretty crazy! 

Monday 1/11: Bike 30 Miles to Work
It was either a two hour social ride or a horrible-looking 90 minute indoor trainer ride, so I went with the "social" option. :) I'm having withdrawals from being outside, so I'm enjoying every chance I have to get some fresh air!

Tuesday 1/12 Swim 2,300 Yards + Speed Intervals
My coach sent me a band to put around my feet when I do the paddle and buoy sets...and apparently to just use alone too! I kind of felt like I was drowning! The speed intervals on the treadmill are always invigorating. It's fun to mix things up!

Wednesday 1/13: Bike 21 Miles (Indoors)
Well, I am most definitely right-leg dominant, and this is a weakness I intend to minimize during the offseason. The single leg drills that were part of my warm up were so awkward that I was afraid I was going to wake my fiancé up on the other side of the house! I'm more of a spinner than a masher, so I'm really hoping that the big gear, low cadence drills I'm doing will make me a better cyclist!

Thursday 1/14: Swim 2,700 Yards + Easy 4.8 Mile Run
Holy distance and descending sets! I normally start out fast and then gradually slow down as time passes. So starting out slow and getting fast is a new thing for me, and definitely not natural. Let's just say that I was actually looking forward to the paddles, buoy, and band set! It's been tempting to push myself on the easy runs after the swim, but with my half marathon coming up, I have to keep reminding myself to keep it easy!

Friday 1/15: Hills...Interrupted
I was supposed to do eight hill repeats, but then a work emergency came up so my workout was cut short. I was able to get six repeats in, and I was pretty wiped out by the last one. Unfortunately, work has been very stressful, and it definitely takes a toll on my workout performance. :(

Saturday 1/16: Run 11.3 Miles + Swim 2,000 Yards
I decided to be a rebel and run outside instead of on the treadmill. I normally start my runs fast and gradually slow down, but this run was supposed to be the opposite. I figured running outside might be a little easier, mentally. I ended up with a nasty side cramp about an hour in, but I managed to power through the entire run. I was supposed to swim immediately afterward, but apparently there is a 9:00 AM AquaFit class on Saturdays at my gym...

Sunday 1/17: Bike 33.3 Miles

It felt so great to get some wind in my hair and go outside for a ride! I might have been getting a little stir crazy this past week, as I'm used to working out outside!

Monday 1/18: Rest!

I debated riding my bike to work until I saw the workouts planned for the week. :)

Tuesday 1/19: Bike 16.4 Miles (Indoors)

So Monday ended up being a horrible day at work. I ended up going home in a daze, and managed to leave both my house keys (with my gym pass) and my wallet (with my ID) at work. So the gym wasn't happening. I did Wednesday's bike workout instead. It is amazing how getting some endorphins going can completely turn your mood around! 

Wednesday 1/20: Swim 2,500 Yards + Run ???

Well, this morning's swim started out good enough. It was longer sets, and I was doing a good job of descending in time as instructed. However, things fell apart on the treadmill. I'm not one to quit, but unfortunately that's the only thing you can do when you feel so nauseous you want to hurl. I really hope I can get to the bottom of this, and quickly!

Thursday 1/21: Swim 2,600 Yards + Easy 5.2 Mile Run

When I originally saw the swim workout, I thought there was no way I could make all the intervals. Descending in time is definitely a weakness in all three disciplines. I made my mind up that I was going to give the workout my all and that's really all I could control. I managed to make all the times except for one, and that was mostly due to a mental math error. The fun afterwards was very ok - I battled a stomach cramp again, though this time it wasn't debilitating. My coach seems to think my sodium is off, so here's hoping that she's right and that it's an easy fix!

Friday 1/22: Bike 23.2 Miles (Indoors)

I know this sounds utterly ridiculous, but I actually think I am starting to enjoy riding indoors on the trainer. Or, maybe I've finally gave in to the fact that I'm going to be seeing a lot of the trainer in the next few months, so I might as well make the best of it. Either way, I had quite the vigorous little jaunt to nowhere this morning. The single leg drills are still horribly awkward.

Saturday 1/23: 1 Hour Dreadmill Run + Swim 2,000 Yards
I made it an hour on the treadmill! I've been working hard to make sure I'm getting enough sodium, and I think it is paying off. I had no cramps, so the biggest struggle during this morning's run was mental. I'm not used to running for this long on the treadmill! I was supposed to swim immediately afterward, but of course the pool was filled with non-swimmers. I ended up swimming in the evening instead.

Sunday 1/24: 90 Minute Hilly Pavement Run
My instructions were to ditch the Garmin and go find some hills. So I did exactly that - I actually ended up rediscovering some hills in my neighborhood that I had forgotten about! At first, I felt a little naked without my Garmin, but it was kind of nice to not have to worry about a particular pace or distance goal. I was feeling pretty tight and sore by the end of the run, so some foam rolling and stretching will be in order.

*Goals from last week*

1. Up my stretching game - nope, need to start taking advantage of Mondays for that
2. Actually publish Monday Mileage next Monday - whoopsie!
3. Get back to posting reviews of stuff I like :) - nope!

**Goals for next week - basically work on last week's goals**
1. Up my stretching game
2. Actually publish Monday Mileage next Monday
3. Get back to posting reviews of stuff I like :)

Monday Mileage - Hopefully My Last Two-Fer...For A While!

Well, I was hoping to start off 2016 on the right foot, but of course, life got crazy! To make up for it, I've included some pictures from my recent travels.

Monday 12/28: REST!
I didn't really sleep all that well, so I decided to take the day off. I was hoping to get into work early instead, but somehow found myself folding laundry at 7:00 AM...

Tuesday 12/29: Bike 19 Miles to Work + Bike 12 Miles Home
I busted my rear end to get to work by 6:45 AM, as one of our customers was going to send us some items FedEx Early AM, which can be as early as 7:00 AM. They still hadn't shown up by 8:30 AM, so I called the customer. Turn out, they decided to not send the stuff in, so I could have gotten a much longer morning ride in. Oh well, at least I got some sort of ride in!

Wednesday 12/30: Run 7 x 400 M + Swim 1,500 Yards
Why yes, I know I was supposed to get two 2,000 yard swims in this week, but unfortunately, it just didn't happen. As you'll see in the pictures below, any hopes for getting some swims in while I was in Colorado were quickly destroyed when I realized how cold it was there. I upped my speed on the treadmill again - the first three rounds were done at 8.5 mph and the last four were done at 8.6 mph. I've really come to enjoy the cool-down swims afterward. I had to do some last-minute packing for my flight that evening to Colorado, so my gym time was cut short.

Thursday 12/31: REST! 
We rented a snowmobile and the beast below to go play in the snow up by Vail Pass. I had never been outdoors in single-digit temperatures, and I can honestly say that if I never do again, I won't feel like I'm missing out on anything. Otherwise, it was positively gorgeous out!

Friday 1/1: Run 5.7 Miles
Yup, that's ICE in the pool! I'm no wimp, but there are certain conditions I prefer not to work out in, and icy pools are definitely at the top of that list. So I ran indoors on the treadmill instead. In past visits to Colorado, the altitude really got to me, but I was able to maintain an average pace of 8:16/mi during this run. I'd love to do some running/cycling/triathlon events in Colorado, so I'm trying to acclimate to the altitude as much as I can!

Well, it's not completely iced over!

Saturday 1/2: Snowshoe/Hike 3.4 Miles
We learned an important lesson: Costco's snowshoes are piles of crap! We went to put on my snowshoes, and the heel clip snapped off. I tried to make do by wrapping the heel strap around my ankle, but that just became painful. Luckily, the snow on the trail was pretty packed down, so we ditched the snowshoes and went for a hike instead. :)

Sunday 1/3: Run 7.4 Miles
I am officially a Team HPB athlete! Going forward, I'll be coached by the fabulous Alyssa Godesky. Although I still seem to be getting faster as a runner, my swimming and biking has definitely plateaued, so I knew it was time to hire a coach. Being a Type A perfectionist, I am never happy if I am not getting stronger and faster! This was my first workout, and I must say it was a nice change from my normal treadmill routine! I was also happy to see that the altitude is having less of an effect on my!

Until next time, Colorado!

Monday 1/4: REST!

On Team HPB, Mondays are rest days. I decided to take full advantage of this and sleep in until 6:00 AM. :)

Tuesday 1/5: Run 4.8 Miles + Swim 2,300 Yards

When I saw sprint intervals on the docket, I was pretty terrified, but I figured my coach wouldn't have me do anything she didn't think I could do. They definitely got tough toward the end. Mental toughness is something I want to work on in 2016, so this was a great way to start chipping away at it. The swim afterward was good - lots of paddle and pull buoy work so my shoulders may feel it tomorrow.

Wednesday 1/6: Bike 18.8 Miles (Indoors)

We've lived in our house about five years, and in those five years, I have never used my indoor trainer. I guess you could say I'm not the biggest fan of it. I had to keep reminding myself that I am going to emerge a faster cyclist in Spring!

Thursday 1/7: Swim 2,300 Yards + Run 4.8 Miles

Another great swim/run combo! I'm really enjoying having more structure and purpose to my workouts!

Friday 1/8: Run 8 Miles - Hills!

I was originally planning to run a much steeper hill, but it's been raining here and that particular hill's sidewalk takes forever to dry. Thank goodness I picked a more manageable one, as today's hill repeats were brutal enough! I might just work on getting faster on this one before venturing to the steeper one...

Saturday 1/9: REST!

I unexpectedly found myself going to Lake Havasu, AZ at 6:00 AM to pick up my fiancé's truck. It was a plan that was sort-of in the works, but we decided against it Thursday night. He changed his mind on Friday, and was planning to take a buddy, but then that fell through. Friday's hills left me pretty stiff, so I wasn't too torn up about moving my rest day...

Not too shabby of a view!

Sunday 1/10: Run 8.7 Miles + Swim 2,000 Yards (ish)

Ugh. I woke up thinking I was going to have a great run, got myself psyched up, and then ended up having a pretty terrible run. :( However, I still finished it, so I gotta give myself props for that. I think the combination of a few glasses of wine the night before and the more arid Arizona climate did me in. My swim was a ton of fun - it was a recovery swim, so all my sets were 50 yards, so I totally rocked it in the hotel pool!

Oh Desert Bar, how I have missed you!

*Goals from last week*

1. Get two 2,000 yard swims in - finally, on week 2!

2. Actually publish Monday Mileage on every Monday - nope!

3. Actually keep the morning routine under 15 minutes - (mostly) yes...

**Goals for next week**

1. Up my stretching game
2. Actually publish Monday Mileage next Monday
3. Get back to posting reviews of stuff I like :)

Monday Mileage - Yet Another Two-Fer

Holy moly, where did the time go?! I'm going to get better about publishing this weekly and on time in 2016, I promise! 

Monday 12/14: Run 5 Miles
I was originally just going to swim, but when I got to the gym, the pool was full! Darn people getting a head start on their new year's resolutions! Thankfully, I walk to the gym in running shoes and I always keep an extra pair of gym clothes in my bag. So instead I went for a run on the treadmill. Since I get bored running at the same pace, I went up and down from 5.5 to 7.5 mph several times

Tuesday 12/15: Bike 19 Miles to Work
We had a networking event that went pretty late last night. Ok, late by my standards - we didn't get home until around 11:00 PM. So I slept in, once again by my standards - until 5:30 AM, and took the shorter route to work. The cold air in my face helped wake me up and shake off the cheap wine I consumed the night before. I knew I had to get a ride in or I would be in a fog all day. Getting old is no fun. :(

Wednesday 12/16: Run 3 Miles + Swim 1,500 Yards
Nothing too exciting here. The run was pretty similar to the one I did on Monday. However, I discovered that if I swim after I run, the pool is pretty much empty. Apparently everyone likes to swim at 5:00 AM when the gym opens. Hopefully the new years resolutions crowd doesn't figure this out too!

Thursday 12/17: Arm Circuit + Bike 26 Miles to Work
I was doing so well sticking to my 15 minute time limit, and then I got back to my dilly dallying ways. It is so easy to get sucked into emails, Instagram, Facebook, and all the other entertainment my phone has to offer. Somehow, I need to get it into my head that longer bike ride > junk on phone! It doesn't help that it is freezing outside - I do have to do a pep talk, as the first 10 minutes or so on the saddle can be pretty miserable.

Friday 12/18: 45 Minute Tempo Run + Swim 1,000 Yards
Once again, the dilly dallying cut into my morning workout. Had I been better organized, I could have gotten a 1,600 yard swim in. Otherwise, I had a great workout. I felt pretty strong during both the run and the swim. 

Saturday 12/19: Arm Circuit + Run 5 Miles
My fiance made it sound like he was interested in a bike ride, so I just went on a short run. Then, of course, I get home and he has decided he'd rather walk up to get breakfast..and mimosas. I did get a TON of walking in due to the fact that we walked to breakfast, walked to all our errands, and then walked with friends to see Christmas lights. 

Sunday 12/20: Run 11 Miles
This was one of those runs where, as I started running, it very quickly became apparent that my only goal was going to be to actually run all 11 miles. My poor today isn't used to running five times a week, and it showed during this run. I was pretty proud of myself for sticking to it and finishing the run - mental stamina has always been a weak spot of mine, and I definitely need to build it up if I want to finish a marathon in 2016.

Monday 12/21: Arm Circuit + Bike 26 Miles to Work
I was feeling pretty tired and worn out on this bike ride - in retrospect, I definitely should have taken a rest day instead! 

Tuesday 12/22: 30 Minute Tempo Run + Swim 1,600 Yards
Work was super crazy, so I decided to keep the run short so I could get into work early. I did a pyramid interval of sorts, gradually building up to a pace of 7:30/mi and then back down. I felt pretty stiff throughout most of the swim, most likely due to the fact that I didn't take a rest day on Monday.

Wednesday 12/23: Run 8 x 400 M + Swim 1,700 Yards
I was really supposed to do a 5 mile run, but I decided to mix things up and do the 400 meter intervals, as I really like that workout. Apparently, I am grossly underestimating myself, as I ran up to 8.3 mph, no problem. Afterward, I got a lovely 1,700 yard swim in. I'm definitely starting to feel a lot stronger in the pool!

Thursday 12/24: Bike 32 Miles
We worked really hard Monday through Wednesday so that we wouldn't have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Thankfully, nothing came up last minute, so our hard work paid off. We host Christmas Eve dinner at our house, so I got a nice bike ride in before getting the house ready and finishing up some last-minute grocery shopping. It would have been nice to go on a longer ride, but I had plenty to do at home. Dumb responsibilities! ;)

Friday 12/25: 6.7 Mile Bike Ride...That Was Supposed to be 25 :(
While cleaning my tri bike late last month, I ripped the seat in such a way that the bike was un-rideable (unless I wanted to destroy my bike shorts). I purchased a new seat, but work and school have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to have my little brother over to help me install it. We finally installed it on Christmas Eve, and I was so excited to try it out. Sadly, I got a flat, and my tires have this evil wire bead that make them impossible to remove without a hair dryer and some serious elbow grease. It looks like I'll be getting GatorSkins on this bike too. The good news is that for the short while I rode it, I loved my new seat!

Saturday 12/26: Arm Circuit + 3 Mile Pace Run + 13 Mile Bike Ride
The plan for today was originally for me to get a quick pace run in while my fiance slept in. Then were were going to go on a 30-ish mile bike ride together. Sadly, it was cold and windy out, and apparently he doesn't warm up on the bike like I do. The poor thing made it about 8 miles until he had enough and we headed home. I guess I could have kept on going, but I decided it was probably best to get home and get some chores done around the house.

Sunday 12/27: Bike 29 Miles
This was a great ride! I finally got a decent ride in on my tri bike. It was breezy out, so I made sure to fight the wind on the way up the bike path so I could fly home. It was a great way to end the week. :)

*Goals from last week*
1. Swim at least twice - finally, yes!
2. Stretch more consistently - sort of...I definitely have more room for improvement!
3. Keep the morning routine under 15 minutes - sort of...

**Goals for next week**
1. Get two 2,000 yard swims in
2. Actually publish Monday Mileage on every Monday :)
3. Actually keep the morning routine under 15 minutes

Monday Mileage

Once again, better late than never, right? My final project was due Sunday night, and of course work was so crazy that I basically finished everything 2 hours before it was due. I was hoping with Christmas coming up that this week would be light at work, so of course we are instead completely swamped! Hey, at least the days go by quickly!

Monday 12/7: Grappling Circuit + 5 Mile Recovery Run
I wasn't feeling sore or stiff at all from yesterday's long run, so I decided to go for a short recovery run to shake things out. It felt great to start the week off with a little bit of fresh air, though I probably should have hit the pool up before. I need to make sure my gym bag is completely packed the night before so I can keep to my 15 minute time limit!

Tuesday 12/8: REST!
This was completely unplanned, but sometimes life happens. The person who assists me at work quit unexpectedly, and we haven't found a replacement. Therefore, I'm pretty much buried at work, so my fiancee decided we'd go in super early to get caught up. I'm glad I decided to work out on Monday, as I was planning to take a rest day then, but when I woke up Monday morning a run sounded fantastic. Yes, you heard that right - I am one of those sick human beings who craves her morning workout.

Wednesday 12/9: Arm Circuit + 5 Mile "Tempo" Run
I was originally planning to swim this morning, but I just wasn't feeling it. So now I get to swim Friday and Sunday if I want to meet my goal for the week. The tempo runs in my plan are supposed to have a 10-15 minute warm up, then build for 15-20 minutes, and finally cool down 5-10 minutes. I decided this would be a great opportunity to break in a new pair of Newtons. As expected, they are fast, so I spent the building portion alternating between a fast run and a normal run. I felt great afterward!

Thursday 12/10: Bike 28 Wet and Cold Miles to Work
Well, I didn't bother to look outside before heading out on my bike ride. If I had, I would have noticed a thick fog/light drizzle and opted for an inside workout. It was also freezing out, so I had a rather slow, wet, and cold ride to work. I'm pretty darn lucky I didn't end up sick. Lesson learned, especially since we're supposed to be in for a rainy winter!

Friday 12/11: Swim 1,400 Yards + Run 9 x 400 M + Bike 12 Miles Home
Each swim is feeling slightly better than the last, so I'm hoping that I'll be in a good place to start working on my speed by the end of December. I had a great run afterward - I did the first three 400 meter intervals at 7.8 mph. My legs were feeling great, so I bumped it up to 7.9 mph for the next three intervals, and then 8.0 mph for the last three! I then proceeded to have a terrible day at work, but at least I got to bike home.

Saturday 12/12: Bike 33 Miles to Work
Good thing I got a decent bike ride in, as I sat on my rear and worked on my final project the entire rest of the day. :( I could tell the stress was getting to me, as this definitely wasn't one of my best bike rides. But, I got the miles in and I started my day out on the right foot!

Sunday 12/13: Arm Circuit + "15k Race" to Work + Bike 12 Miles Home
I made myself work on my final project at work, as I knew there would be no distractions. I was planning to bike to and from work on Saturday, but the project ended up taking longer than expected, so I just took the work vehicle home late Saturday night. I've been meaning to run to work just to say I did, so I can finally check it off my list! I kept a fairly consistent pace on my run - my average pace was 7:42/mile. The bike ride home was quick, thanks to a strong tailwind.

*Goals from last week*
1. Swim at least twice - nope, only once again :(
2. Stretch more consistently - on it!
3. Keep the morning routine under 15 minutes - this is getting better...

**Goals for next week**
1. Swim at least twice
2. Stretch more consistently
3. Keep the morning routine under 15 minutes

December 2015 Arms Workout

This month, I decided to go back to basics, and really focus on making my arms and shoulders look good for the holiday parties. I guess actually making it to the pool twice a week would probably help too, but I'm still working on that goal!

For further information on the movements shown above, please check out the following links:

Horizontal In-and-Out

Side Fly Extension

Crossover Hammer Curl

Front Raise

Triceps Kickback

Butterfly Chest with Shoulder Press

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my training regimen. As I am not a physician, please consult your doctor before performing this workout if you have any injuries or if you are embarking on a fitness journey for the first time. Honor your body and if it hurts, stop! Thanks!

Tri Stuff I Want To Give and Get - December 2015 Christmas Edition

Instead of just showcasing what I want this month, I thought I would feature some gift ideas that I wouldn't mind getting. :)

1. Socks - No, I don't mean the six-pack of white cotton socks from Target. There are a ton of comfortable and technical socks out there. For the runner in your life, you can't go wrong with compression socks. Smashfest Queen has a pair on sale right now that I've been eyeing. If no-show is more your thing, I swear by Bombas' ankle socks. I recently found that CEP's running socks are amazing for cycling, and they are my current go-to. I've been scoping the merino wool version for men and women. Velocio also has some great socks - I'm a fan of their wool ones on my brisk morning rides.

2. Water Bottles - If you're a triathlete, cleaning water bottles can be a massive undertaking. When it's hot out, ice preservation is key, so insulated water bottles are your best friend. I love Camelbak's Big Chill bottle, as well as Polar Bottle's insulated bottle. The Nathan Fire and Ice Bottle has piqued my interest lately. When it's cold out, Purist bottles are my go-to. I've been eyeing this Smashfest Queen Purist bottle. For around the house and at work, Hydro Flasks are the way to go. The Camelbak Chute is also a great option.

3. Nutrition - I'm a huge fan of The Feed. If the triathlete in your life has food allergies or dietary preferences, you can easily sort based on their limitations. There are also custom boxes, and you can never go wrong with a gift certificate. :) If your special triathlete is also into making their own food, I would recommend Skratch Labs' Feed Zone Portables cookbook. I also love their Hydration Mix and Fruit Drops. 

4. Gear - This is an area that is highly personal, so if you don't know exactly (and I mean 100%, down to color and size) what the triathlete in your life wants, you are probably better off just getting them a gift card. Nytro Multisport has a great selection if you have absolutely no clue what they want. Amazon gift cards are also a good bet, especially for the triathlete that already has everything. I personally always welcome Smash Cash from Smashfest Queen. If you know they want bike gear, Performance Bike has a great selection and their prices are hard to beat. Swim Outlet is my go-to for swim gear, but they also carry a decent selection of triathlon gear. Road Runner Sports' selection of running shoes, clothing, and gear is really hard to beat. As for me, I'd really love a pair of the Garmin Vector Pedals - it doesn't even need to be the more expensive pair that measure power on each leg. A Marc Pro Recovery Device would also be fantastic. However, given that I got a bike for my birthday, I'm thinking Santa won't be in much of a giving mood. :)

5. Cute Kits - Once again, I'll give a word of caution that triathlon kits typically run small. Make sure to check the return policy so the recipient isn't stuck with something that doesn't fit correctly! Nytro Multisport has a flashy Betty Designs tri top and bottom set that I love. For men, Smashfest Queen's Off the Front tri top and bottom set is a little more subdued, though by no means boring. I've been eyeing their Sakura Sun Trisuit, as well as their Attack tri shorts with the new yoga waistband (with the matching top, of course). If perhaps a cycling kit was what you had in mind, you can't go wrong with anything Velocio. I know I mentioned this last month, but I am in love with Machines for Freedom's Horizons Print jersey and bibs! If you're a little more budget-minded, you really can't beat Performance Bike's line of cycling clothing.

6. Loungewear - What triathlete doesn't love to get all warm and cozy after a long brick in the cold? I love UGG's Moccasins for men and women. I ended up getting a second pair so I could have one for around the house and one to wear outside! I've also heard great things about UGG's robes for men and women. This UGG one-piece for women is also adorable! These lounge pants for men also look super comfortable, as does this pajama set for women. If you're not looking to break the bank, Target always has cute, budget-friendly options. For women, this robe looks cute and warm, as does this sleep set. I'm loving this robe and this sleep set for men. 

7. Gifts for the Triathlete Who Already Has Everything - We all have that person who is super hard to shop for because they just buy themselves everything they want. This is where buying an experience is your best bet, as you can't buy time with loved ones! If time and/or money is constraint, why not find an amazing hike near you? I've been loving AllTrails' app. Let's say you have some cash and time to burn - then definitely look into Trek Travel and REI Adventures. I've heard great things about both! If you do want something they can unwrap, coffee that you know they've never had is always a good bet. We discovered Blue Bottle Coffee while in San Francisco and are huge fans. A lot of our friends really like Stumptown Coffee, and if you really want to go for the "wow" (or gross, depending on how you look at it) factor, there's the "monkey poop" coffee. Candles are also something fun that most people don't think to buy themselves. Bliss has a new line of candles, and the Grapefruit & Currant flavor looks promising. Retwined also has amazing-smelling candles, and I've heard great things about Nest candles. 

I hope you enjoyed my monthly picks! Please note that all these links are for products that I just happen to think are pretty cool. There are a few Amazon Affiliate links, but I am not compensated by the companies for featuring their product(s).