For the Love of Pearl Izumi

I can no longer contain my excitement or wait until April 17th for the unveiling of my newest article of tri clothing.  Last weekend, my family and I went outlet mall shopping.  The plan was to get shoes for the kids and high tail it out there with as little damage to our bank account as possible.  When Steve mentioned that there was a Pearl Izumi store, I questioned whether or not it would be a good idea to check it out.  It seemed a little dangerous.  I am a gear junkie just entering the world of cycling and triathlons.  As I talk to people, read articles and blogs, I have come to equate triathlons to money pits.  There are so many things that one can purchase to shave minutes off transitions and make for easier, more comfortable swims, rides and runs.

Originally I had planned on swimming in my regular swim suit, pulling a pair of biking shorts and jersey over it for the ride, then just changing shoes.  It was only my first triathlon and a sprint at that.  Why invest any more money than I needed to?  If and when I decided that tri's were for me, I'd splurge on performance clothing and equipment.  Nonetheless, here we were at the outlet mall with the Pearl Izumi store within footsteps.  When Steve mentioned they might have a cheap tri suit, I couldn't resist.  Upon entering the *swoon* store, I was greeted by racks and racks of gorgeous sports clothing.  Posters of muscular athletes with race numbers Sharpied onto them, modeled colorful high-tech cycling, swimming and running apparel.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  

I nonchalantly glanced at price tags of cycling shorts, gloves and jerseys. OUCH!  Even at the outlet store, this stuff was pricey!  I scanned the room for the sales and better yet clearance racks.  It all was very overwhelming.  So much stuff, such steep prices and I really hadn't planned on shopping or buying anything.  What was a girl to do?!  My partner, the more rational shopper of us, took over.  He asked the sales clerk if there were any tri suits on sale.  Good question!  Why didn't I think of that?  

We were told that he had just put a pair of tri suits on the clearance rack.  He only had one size and one color but they were a great and rare deal.  He pulled out an aqua, royal blue Pearl Izumi tri suit with neon yellow insignia on the sides.  Okay, not my first color choice, but my family would be able to spot me in the swarm of athletes as they spectated.  Please, let it fit I thought as I hit the changing room.  As I squeezed into the suit, I was surprised at how revealing it was.  No wonder black was the color of choice for these things.  Beggars can't be choosers though, especially when the mentioned $119.99 suit was on sale for $29.99.  This baby has a built in bra for running and chamois padding for the cycling.  It would save me time during transitions.  I needed this suit.  I did what only a penny pinching aspiring triathlete could do.  I bought it!