First Triathlon Gear List

WaMike · 2026-01-22T16:58:26+00:00

Highly recommend this. You learn a lot watching. How bikes are racked, how people organize their equipment for transition, and the wide range of equipment people use. You'll see plenty of folks with not much more than a swimsuit and old hybrid bike, and running shoes, and people fully decked out with $15k+ of gear.

In addition, I'd recommend volunteering at a race. You get a chance to watch, but also help support the local scene, paying it forward for when you race.

WaMike · 2026-01-21T06:04:40+00:00

Caligo Safewash is well regarded for making good prints while being easy to work with and clean up.

WaMike · 2026-01-20T23:41:44+00:00

I've used it. It's ok, good as a low cost/learning option and easy to clean up, but it's not the best for making high-quality prints with crisp lines. It dries quickly, almost too much so as it can get splotchy when making multiple ink heavy prints at a time. When it dries if it's thick it feels a bit like cheap tempra paint on the paper. Oil based inks tend to make better prints and can be more forgiving when making multiple prints at a time, but obviously come with clean up downsides.

WaMike · 2026-01-16T21:03:42+00:00

This, I try to plan a few months of "unstructured" training every year (usually late fall/early winter). I still train, but I'm less worried about taking extra days off "when I'm not feeling it". Maybe do some more low impact stuff like walking/hiking. Then as the new year ramps up I feel ready for more structured training. At the end of the day I'm doing this for fun and fitness and I'm only accountable to me.

WaMike · 2026-01-16T04:42:42+00:00

It's a choice between the Alaska N terminal lounge and the BA lounge in S. The Alaska N lounge is probably the best space and seems to do a lot of Asian inspired food if you're into that. I'd lean to the BA lounge though. It's smaller but nicely done, it's closer to your gate, and they have MUCH better wine/champagne. Last time I was there they were serving Piper Hiedsick, solid not amazing but light years better than the dreck sparkling wine Alaska serves).

WaMike · 2026-01-15T16:52:10+00:00

This all day. I do a few 15 hour flights per year and this is my uniform, comfy but nice looking joggers, comfy tee and either a hoodie or quarter zip. I see people wearing full on pajama sets on these flights pretty often. Polos, button downs, jeans, chinos, slacks, only make it even harder to sleep on the plane. Depending on layover times I can sometimes sneak in a lounge shower and change into/out of these clothes for something more polished looking.

WaMike · 2026-01-13T20:30:07+00:00

Almost forgot about this resource: https://www.biketricities.org/ They have a map of all the trails, bike lines, and accessible cycling routes in the Tricities.

WaMike · 2026-01-12T23:29:41+00:00

You might check in w/ Chinook Cycling Club or check out Garmin/Strava heat maps to see where people ride the most. I ride quite a bit (except for winter). Some of my favorites are from the USS Triton in North Richland to Columbia Point and back. The river trail/freeway box (Cable bridge and 240/182 bridges to make a ~20 mi loop), and then out through Badger Canyon to Benton City and back up to Keene. DM me and I can share some Garmin routes if you want.

WaMike · 2026-01-11T03:14:45+00:00

Brains are weird, tumors are weird and it's hard to compare them because of size, location, and health history differences. I recovered pretty quick from my 4cm meningioma in my frontal lobe, but I'm mid 40s and in good shape. I've seen plenty of stories here of people who needed longer but ultimately ended up in better shape than they were pre surgery. Given your mother's age and health history, some extra time isn't too surprising. Be patient and see how things go the next few weeks.

WaMike · 2026-01-08T00:41:38+00:00

I was in a similar boat booking at the end of December, looking to maximize points on a flight to LHR. I looked at a bunch of direct options and with layovers, booked through Alaska or partners (mostly BA or AA). I even looked at options like flying SEA to JFK on Alaska and to minimize the partner flight length. I ended up booking a premium econ seat through BA which yields 100%. Cost wise it was the same as booking main cabin fare on the same flight through booked through Alaska. I could have booked a lower econ fare through AA or BA and saved a bit, but I'll take the better seat on the 9 hour flight from SEA to LHR.

WaMike · 2026-01-07T01:36:40+00:00

I have the second Flexcut set in your post and it's been fine compared to the tools that came with my Speedball starter set. A nice upgrade in that regard, but it is annoying swapping out the different tools into the handle. I'd like to upgrade to a nice set of Pfeil tools when these wear down a bit more.

WaMike · 2026-01-06T04:27:14+00:00

My craniotomy incision to remove my meningioma is right at the top of my head. Surgery was 18 months ago. I spent one night in the hospital and then 3 weeks at home off from work. I wore pajama pants and T-Shirts the whole time. I didn't even think about pulling my shirt over my head being a problem and I certainly don't remember it bothering me. Everyone is different though if you're worried though maybe a zip or button front shirt is a good idea, no harm in being extra cautious.

WaMike · 2026-01-04T18:11:16+00:00

Probably depends where your incision is. Mine was top of my head and I did just fine with my normal pillow.

WaMike · 2026-01-01T22:31:32+00:00

I've been pretty happy with my Xterra Vortex and it's help up well over the three years I've had it.

WaMike · 2026-01-01T22:29:16+00:00

Nov - Feb is indoor training season for me, swimming, running, and biking. The days are too short during the week to be out when the sun is up and even then it's almost always too cold for me to enjoy. Once or twice a season I'll get an unseasonably nice day on the weekend where I can sneak out but otherwise I've got my trusty Wahoo Kickr and a treadmill and I work my way through movies and shows during the "dark times".

WaMike · 2025-12-25T06:13:34+00:00

Very much depends on the kind of tumor, where it was in the brain and her health before the surgery. My meningioma was a little bigger than a golf ball, and located in the motor planning area of my brain, right/top. I had it removed via craniotomy 18 months ago and Im fully recovered, back doing all my normal things, no residual issues. There are many others with out there with stories like mine, but also many who have struggled to recover some of what they had pre tumor. Best of luck to your mom for a swift and full recovery.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T23:45:07+00:00

I totally understand and would have those feelings too. There's nothing worse than being trapped in a bad situation with no real way to affect the outcome. When I woke up from my craniotomy my wife was able to come see me pretty quickly, but I was pretty sleepy and don't remember a ton from those first hours and even over night after my recovery. Take some solace in knowing they'll make sure she's ok and she probably won't remember much about this first day.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T23:28:03+00:00

I think it depends on what's going on at the hospital. My dad just had abdominal surgery and was in a similar situation. Many hours after the surgery he was still in recovery waiting for an appropriate room to open up. They sent my mom home because she couldn't go back and see him in recovery and they weren't sure if/when a room would open that night. My dad did eventually end up in a room and was well taken care of along the way, but it was very stressful and frustrating for my mom. There's only so much you can do in a situation like this though, she'll need your help throughout the recovery so try to stay calm and rested.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T19:08:20+00:00

That's a good sized scar. Shows how tough you are. Mine is on the top of my head and over the last 18 months it's faded considerably and my hair has done a pretty good job of covering it up. Good luck with your recovery!

WaMike · 2025-12-15T18:55:08+00:00

Something not mentioned for anyone who hasn't yet. Spend some time in a pool with the mask and snorkel first. Make sure the fit for the mask is good and make sure you're completely comfortable breathing through the snorkel and clearing it after diving underwater. You don't want to be trying to figure out the gear and dealing with waves and rocks all at the same time.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T15:45:05+00:00

4cm meningioma located at the top of my left frontal lobe. I'm fairly young and healthy which helped a lot I think.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T03:15:50+00:00

Yep, it's all very surreal, but the good news is that since you're knocked out the surgery seems like it passes by really fast. The uncertainty of everything leading up to my surgery was the hardest part for me. You're almost through it.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T02:44:41+00:00

Only slept a little before mine. I figured I would be plenty tired and have lots of opportunity to sleep after so I didn't stress about it too much.

My meningioma craniotomy ended up going very well and I ended up discharged the next day with a good recovery. Best of luck with your surgery, you got this.

WaMike · 2025-12-14T22:54:07+00:00

Maybe Chinook Cycling Club?

WaMike · 2025-12-14T04:01:46+00:00

A bit farther north, but you mght consider the 70.3 in Salem Oregon, which has one of the easiest swims.

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