Review of Outdoor Research Foray Jacket: Goretex Paclite Ultralight Packable Rain and Wind Protection

One of the requirements for ultra marathons like the UTMB is a waterproof, breathable, lightweight jacket that will fit into your running pack / vest.

Now, these things are expensive, costing as much as $400 for a top of the range Arcteryx jacket (behold it in its glory below).



The Outdoor Research Foray Jacket fits the bill and at under $130, leaves a muuuuuch smaller dent in your pocket. Spencer got one last year and has used it in rainy tropical conditions in Malaysia as a rain jacket, through sub-freezing temperatures over thermal running shirts, here on PA trails. He likes it because it keeps him dry, packs down small, weighs very little (15 oz) and looks nice. An interesting and unique feature are the side zips that zip from bottom all the way to the pits (like an extreme version of a pit zip) which supposedly assists ventilation in highly physical activities. Recommended!

Xterra Pro Full Suit Triathlon Wetsuit at 50% off

Of the triathlon wetsuits that I've tried (Orca Predator, Quintana Roo Superfull, Xterra Pro), I liked Xterra the best.

The Orca Predator (MSRP $400) and the Quintana Roo Superfull (MSRP $550) were both a little tight in the shoulders with stiffer material than the Xterra Pro Fullsuit (MSRP $600).

My hubs has the basic Xterra Vortex (MSRP  $400) and is very happy with it. He's had it for three seasons now and it is holding up well - no rips or tears (yet!). I've only ever used the Xterra Pro (thanks Siok Bee for the loan!) and I remember how comfy it was in the shoulders and how flexible the suit was. It fit like a second skin.

I believe the Xterra wetsuits are better than other wetsuits at the same price point. For one, Xterra wetsuits are extremely buoyant. Their 5 mm thick neoprene extends throughout the entire wetsuit unlike other brands that have thinner neoprene on the legs and arms. A nice consequence is that your legs will float / less drag, and in a way corrects / compensates for not-so-good swimming technique/posture hehe.

If you're shopping for a wetsuit, and have decided on the Xterra brand, I'd go for the Pro instead of the Vortex. Why? Well, because you can almost always find a 50% discount coupon code floating around the web, and that would bring the cost of the Pro to $300. With free shipping anywhere in the USA and a 15 day return-n-exchange guarantee, it's a no brainer (in my opinion anyway).

Click on this link to get to Xterra Wetsuits, sign up with your email, and use code AUG50 to snag the wetsuit of your choice at half off.

Even better, at the moment there is a 55% discount code that will help make you a proud owner of the Xterra Pro at $270. Click through here and enter SWIM12 plus sign up with your email to get this offer. Not sure how long this offer will last though.

Happy Tri-ing!

Garmin GPS Forerunner 910xt: $10 off plus free ship

The Garmin GPS Forerunner 910xt is currently the best out there for triathletes and multisport athletes. I did some online research today on their prices:

Surefireshops.com offers it at an an unbelievably low $129 (plus $40) shipping worldwide from China. But since it's based in China, and since it's not yet been reviewed, I wouldn't feel comfy about giving my money to them. Or any of the other non-customer-rated blogs.

The Factory Outlet Store seems to be the best option as it is reviewed and rated by past customers and it's the cheapest (among the rated/reviewed stores) at $339 (Here's a $10 discount coupon plus free shipping)

Next up is the reliable and trustworthy Amazon at $400 (with free ship).

Well, if you're willing to wait, the Garmin Fenix with its low profile, sleek gazillion-featured watch is coming out in the fall....

All hail the Garmin Fenix

As mentioned before I'm offering shipping forwarding services from USA to Singapore (free at the moment). Email me or leave a comment if you need a quote!

xo Gracie

p.s. It would be AWESOME if you could click on any ad below - my sponsors give me a few cents per click. Thanks for supporting my blog!

Nathan Intensity Race Hydration Pack for Women: Buy or Not?

I'm *this close* to buying this pack. I'm finally (thanks be to God and to trigger point therapy) back on the trails pain-free again, and my existing packs (Camelbak Skeeter, Reebok, Salomon etc) ain't gonna cut it for my planned longer runs.

While there is the newer model (2.0) of the Nathan pack, this partickular one is on sale, and it receives glowing reviews from a bunch of satisfied reviewers. About 99% of the reviewers on REI use it for their ultramarathons. Maybe if I possess this pack, I could also somehow run an ultramarathon too! :p

Ok, gotta do some preventative plantar fasciitis triggerpoint therapy now.

xo Gracie

Shipping Service from USA to Singapore etc

Triathlon can be a very expensive pastime (or fulltime actually!) and I'm always looking for deals on tri suits, wetsuits, and other awesome tight-fitting neoprene thingies that if successful in squeezing a body into, can either make said body look hawt or like a papaya.

The other day Ironman and Coach, KS messaged me asking if I could help purchase some triathlon stuff for him from Bike Shop Liquidators. Apparently there is a Huge sale going on there right now. Apparently, there is Always a Sale going on there even. I like sales :p

My search of Google Shopping shows Bike Shop Liquidators as one of the cheapest for the 2012/13 Pearl Izumi P.R.O In-R-Cool Tri Shorts among all the online shopping sites. KS certainly did his homework on this one. It's a bonus that free shipping is offered to anywhere in the US for purchases above $99. The plan is for the goodies to be shipped to my address, then for me to forward them to KS halfway around the world. Unless I really like the stuff and wanna hang on to them.... just kidding! If it's to Australia, I'll use USPS First Class International Air Mail (cheapest option for anything under 13 oz / 370 g, 10-14 business days) or Priority International Air Mail (second cheapest option that also offers flat rate priced boxes, 6-10 business days). Priority is expensive, e.g., $47.95 USD for a medium flat rate box to Australia. You can check out the shipping rates at USPS.com. I'm not shipping to Malaysia unless you totally absolve me of all responsibility if your item gets stolen by the postman or confiscated by customs - I've had too many bad experiences shipping to Malaysia and don't want to risk it anymore. If you have friends in Singapore I could ship it to, that's better - you can pick up from them in person after I send to Singapore, k?

Feel free to email me if you have any questions, need or quotation, or want my help purchasing and/or forwarding stuff to you ya. For the time being, I'm doing it at no charge, since I am testing the waters to see if it's a feasible venture for me.

xo Gracie

Timex Global Trainer GPS Review

One of my favorite pieces of gear right now is my Timex Global Trainer with GPS navigation. It is also my first piece of super-high-tech training equipment and something that I would have never dreamed of owning because it's so expensive. However, thanks to Agnes accepting whatever I could scrape together from my meagre bank account at that time, I became the happy owner of TGT.

First Impressions

My chunky wrist adornment

Most people I meet exclaim how HUGE the thing is. I take this as a compliment. It's most definitely eye-catching! Folks, TGT isn't all that big. It's my wrist that's small. :p