What Makes the Triathlete?

Mark Twain wrote, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on mankind."

Well, I propose to all of you blog readers in the 'BoomerNation that clothes make the triathlete as well. Along with the colour of your bike and wetsuit, it's the stylin' and profilin' for the photos that make for a lasting memory of the race. Don't believe me? Just go to any Ironman the day after the race and what's the longest line? The line to buy the photos. It's followed closely by the line to throw down a credit card for anything with the word "Finisher" and an MDot next to each other. Besides the finisher's medal, the photos remain long after the joy (and pain) of crossing the finish line has faded.

Similar can be said about your kit when you train. Not all performance in training is physical, ya know. An important part of how you perform is your attitude. And let's face it... when you feel good about training, your training goes better. Or at the very least... stylin' ain't gonna hurt. And the better your training, the better prepared you are for the race.

Well, that's the theory, anyway. In my personal case looking good is a relative term and usually it's the only good (relatively speaking) thing I got. Otherwise, I got nothing. I have yet to step up on a podium and my best finish in any race is 5th in my age group. How did I look while chowing down on the post race bagel? If you don't count the part between my neck and the hat... and any other bit of exposed skin... things looked pretty darn good. Yah, the clothes kept it all together.

In the effort to stay in the good graces of the tri-fashionistas... and you know who you are... I will be sporting this piece of gear in 2008....

here it is...

wait for it...

just a bit longer....

OK....

... Ta Da!

Talk about getting a few lingering glances, eh? There's no way to go unnoticed when those slip by in a shark-like stream through the water. The bike will leave an even bigger impression when my call of, "Boomer on your left!" is followed by the flames all up in my draft. And the commotion in the finishing chute? Hah! Foe-get-aboud-it!

Can't say where I'll place in any 2008 race but one thing will be certain...

the photos will to talked about for years. (Is that a good thing??)

Stay tuned...