Garmin Forerunner 410: $249.99
Garmin Forerunner 410
Information provides the foundation for performance enhancement. The Garmin Forerunner series, fortunately, provides all the essential information needed for the serious competitor. The 410 is the latest offering from the giant of GPS. Fortunately, DC Rainmaker has provider an in depth review so that you can find out if this great deal is for you.
From the merchant’s site:
If you’re ready to take your training to the next level, Forerunner 410 can get you there. This advanced sport watch is GPS-enabled and accurately records your time, pace, distance, elevation and more.
Your training plan may be difficult … your watch shouldn’t be. When your workout’s done, Forerunner 410 keeps working. It wirelessly uploads your data to our Garmin Connect™ site when in range of your computer so you can go back and review your run on your own time. It works via ANT+™ wireless technology and the USB stick that comes with your watch. No wires, no manual uploads, no sweat.
Link: HolaBirdSports.com
Saucony Hattori Running Shoe (Men and Women’s): $57.95-$50.00
Saucony Hattori
Blazingly fast bike-run transitions. The Hattori is Saucony’s most minimal shoe. Only 4.4 ounces, the shoe is designed as either a light weight racing flat or as a training tool for those interested in minimalist running. Since the shoe offers little in the way of support, your foot must develop the strength that has atrophied while in traditional running shoes. Saucony offers a little video lecture on it’s line of minimal running shoes and how you should incorporate them into your training.
Link: Most Selection at $57.95 – RunningCenters.com – Men – Women
Link: Best Price at $50.00 – SportsBasement.com – Men – Women
2XU Men’s Comp Tri Singlet 2011: $50
2XU Men's Comp Tri Singlet 2011
For those that are into compression wear, here is a deal for you. I’ve tried these on before and I can’t tell if it’s just a gimmick or a real race advantage. Obviously suited for the thinner athlete unless you are interested in having stuff moved around. A great deal nonetheless. All sizes in black, fewer in blue and white.
From the site:
2XU Men’s Comp Tri Singlet – Men’s Triathlon: New SBR SKIN X fabric ensures an unparalleled quick drying, breathable result out of the water, while flatlock seams, a streamline cut and the addition of LYCRA fiber work together to enhance comfort and freedom of movement. The semi lock zip controls air flow and SENSOR MESH X ventilation panels promote airflow in regions requiring it most.
Link: SportsBasement
Labor Day Sale: 20% off until 9/11
Labor Day Sale at Discount Tri Supply
I haven’t seen any particularly devastating prices on this site but with 20% off and free shipping, it might be worth a browse if you are need a particular item.
Link: DiscountTriSupply.Com
2XU Active Tri Singlet – Men’s: $38.00
2XU Active Tri Singlet 2011
The only good thing about the end of the triathlon season is the end of season sales. Good luck on finding any 2XU items at a reasonable price in May or June. This tri singlet is about 40% off. All sizes but limited colors in those sizes. Best if you are medium or small.
From the site
2XU Men’s Active Tri Singlet – Men’s Triathlon: The 2XU Men’s Active Tri Singlet gets you into the sleekest triathlon clothing brand on the market at an entry level price point. The entire singlet is made with SBR MESH fabric for maximum moisture control and excellent airflow. Staying cool and dry is always a good thing right? Being an Australian company, 2XU makes all their products with a high level of UV protection and the Active line is no different. A front half zip and large back pocket complete the Active Tri Singlet nicely.
Link: SportsBasement
ISM Adamo Racing Saddle: $92.99-$94.99
Adamo Racing Saddle
In my humble opinion, the best saddle ever made. Well worth the money if you have ever had issues with perineal numbness or pain. But why pay retail if you don’t have to? An exhaustive search came up with a couple of significant discounts off the MSRP. Colors are limited but if you don’t mind blue or grey, it’s a great deal.
From the ISM website:
THE ORIGINAL – and still our top of the line performance saddle for triathletes and time trialers. Designed for aggressive riding in the 0* to 30* hip angle position (aero bars). This seat offers superb comfort in a normally uncomfortable position. The Adamo Racing is completely UCI compliant for time trialing. It even sports a nifty transition rack hook on the back for racking your bike. Uses light weight foam and gel pads with titanium alloy rails. 245mm long and 130mm wide.
Link Blue: Amazon – $94.99
Link Grey: Amazon – $92.99
Oakley ENDURING EDGE Women’s Sunglasses: $90
Enduring Edge Sunglasses
Rarely does one find a deal at the Oakley store. In this case, Oakley is offering one of it’s latest women’s designs for half price. Supplies, however, are limited. Oakley originally offered two colors at this price. Now only the Cinder Red is available for $90. Here is their description:
Female athletes demand the best performance eyewear on the planet but they want it without a masculine fit, or a look full of testosterone. That’s why Oakley collaborated with top female athletes to create ENDURING® sunglasses, an entirely new dimension of performance, fit and style made exclusively for women.
An interchangeable lens design lets you adapt and optimize performance in any environment. Our permanentHYDROPHOBIC™ lens coating eliminates water sheens and repels dust, skin oils and lotions, maintaining a smudge-resistant barrier. You also get the unbeatable clarity of HIGH DEFINITION OPTICS® (HDO®), including XYZ OPTICS® to maximize peripheral vision.
The fit is engineered specifically for women, and you can adjust it with two included sizes of nosepiece. UNOBTAINIUM® components keep the lightweight frame comfortably in place by increasing grip with perspiration. UV filtering is an uncompromising 100%, and the lens curvature helps protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the wrinkling rays of ultraviolet light. Impact resistance meets ANSI Industrial Standards, so go play hard.
This frame is matched with our ENDURING EDGE lens shape, a slightly larger size with enough attitude to take on any mountain terrain. For cooling airflow, select the vented lens edition. ENDURING comes with a protective sports-specific Oakley Soft Vault that has space for storing an extra optional lens. If you need prescription correction, this eyewear is available with ophthalmic implants that maximize vision with HDO®.
Link: www.Oakley.com
SAUCONY SHAY XC 2: $56.00
SAUCONY SHAY XC 2
There is a huge movement towards simplified footwear. Although the movement has roots in the 1960’s the recent uptrend began with Christopher McDougall‘s book, Born to Run, which suggested that today’s running shoes are designed mostly as a marketing vehicle rather than a way to improve running biomechanics. Since then, the market for ‘minimal’ footwear has exploded. The Vibram Five Fingers, a shoe originally designed for kayaking and sailing, found a solid fan base with barefoot running aficionados. Since then, other shoe companies have attempted to copy Vibram’s success. Nike developed there “Free” line of shoes as a compromise between traditional running shoes and the running sock. Recently, New Balance came out with their “Minimus” line and Merrill with their “Barefoot Collection”.
The shoes, although minimal in design, are not minimal in price. These shoes are prices similarly to any other high end shoe sold by the company. Less material, more marketing, same price. As an alternative, I sought to look past the curtain of marketing and find alternatives. What surprised me was that minimalistic shoes have been around for decades; they are called the “running flat”. From the wiki article:
Racing flats, or simply flats, are lightweight athletic shoes designed for long distance track and field, cross country, and most often, road races. They differ from normal training shoes mainly by the lack of a substantial heel (hence the name). They are also a great deal less durable and typically last half to a quarter of the distance of a normal training shoe (125–250 miles or 200-400 kilometers). The removal of the heel in racing flats has 4 principal effects: weight reduction, better foot to ground power transfer, providing less support and giving less cushioning. These features allow a runner to race more efficiently.
Much of the description echos that which is found in the description of today’s minimalist running shoe. Moreover, these racing flats are frequently available for half the price. Hence:
This is the ultimate cross-country running shoe from Saucony. Thanks to its SSL EVA midsole, air-mesh upper, and specially treaded rubber outsole, you’ll win the race with speed and breathable, flexible comfort.
Link: Zappos.com – all sizes $56.00
Link: Amazon.com – limited sizes starting at $29.24
Injinji Liner Mini-Crew: $7.94
Injinji Liner Crew
Available in lighweight CoolMax®, the Liner keeps feet comfortably cool, dry, and protected.
• Seamless 5 toe construction creates a moisture wicking and friction free environment and fights odor
• Designed to be worn as the base layer toesock which can interface with your favorite traditional outer sock, or worn alone for those who prefer an ultra-sleek and lightweight design
• Perfect complement to barefoot performance footwear
Link: EverestGear.com
Alternatively, Riverstone Goods sells a similar sock at a much more reasonable price: 4 pairs for $12.99
Riverstone Goods Toe Socks
Before you buy, please check on size and color as these may vary with each link.
Link: Amazon.com
Orca Women’s 226 Tri Pant – 2010: $44.99
Orca Women's 226 Tri Pant
- 22cm inseam length: maximum water coverage / low drag
- Two color solid dye with illusion print contrast panel
- Elastic waist with logo draw cord
- Tri-style quick-dry chamois: comfort / anti-bacterial / moisture wicking
- Hydroseal leg opening: comfort / low drag
- Safety elastic closed pocket
- Contrast flat lock top stitching
- Orca reflective logos
- Silicon size label: comfort / low irritation
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