Ironman: Going Vogue?

I should be doing homework. But instead, I’m ruminating on this past week of Ironman training. Last Saturday, at approximately mile 77 of my 111-mile ride, I passed a male cyclist on a hill in Santiago Canyon and he said this: “Wow. Sexy.”

I was having trouble breathing (like I said, I was on a hill) and so I did not respond. But the dude made my ride. I’m not sure if the “sexy” comment was a reference to my hill prowess, my bike, or (more likely) my pink shorts.

Back home that afternoon, Tim reported a car full of girls hooted at him during his ride. Could the hooting have been prompted by his sweet bike, red tri shorts, or (my personal opinion) calf muscles?

I don’t know. But I do feel lately that Pacific Coast Highway has turned into the triathlete’s version of a red carpet.

Take, for instance, my long run on Wednesday night. There I was, shimmying down PCH, rocking out to Chris Brown’s “Forever.” I visualized myself in Tempe on November 22, being serenaded by Ironman announcer Mike Reilly as I made my way toward the finish chute, “Girl, where did you come from?” “I won’t let you fall, girl.” “Double your fun!”

And then I visualized myself giving an air high-five to Mike close to the finish line. You know it, Mike! “Look what I can do with my feet!” I mean, JK Wedding Entrance Dance – seriously, move over. Clearly, “Forever” is best-suited for an Ironman finish line dance.

And then there was yesterday. Tim and I ran 21 miles in the morning – Tim in his black shorts and white tri top and I in my running shorts and once-pink-now-gray-and-totally-smelly top – and then hoofed it over to TriZone for some necessary training supplies.

While at TriZone, we inspected the race apparel and consulted with the store manager.

Sarah: “Do you have any women’s white race jerseys?”

Store manager: “No, do you want to wear a men’s jersey instead?”

Sarah: “Um, no, thanks.”

Store manager: “Are you trying to match your tri outfit? Or is it okay if you non-match?”

Note: This was a real conversation. With a guy.

Sarah: “You know, at this point, I’m willing to non-match. I’m just trying to find comfortable race gear.”

And wouldn’t you know – I think I found it, courtesy of TriZone. Today, I biked and ran in classic blue (with purple and teal piping) tri shorts and a navy blue (with white accents) tri top. I loved it. I felt so – non-matching, yes, but so in vogue (my version) as well.

So, for the next couple of intense-training weeks, I will most likely be wearing my non-matching blue outfit, boogie-ing down PCH and over the hills of Santiago Canyon, rocking out to my iPod.

That should earn me at least a hoot – from Tim.