My Life With AE

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  • My Amazon Prime Day Picks (A Triathlete’s Shopping List)

    My Amazon Prime Day Picks (A Triathlete’s Shopping List)

    My Amazon Prime Day Picks (A Triathlete’s Shopping List)

    Let’s be honest — Prime Day is basically a national holiday for anyone who spends as much time training as I do. Between the gear, the apparel, the recovery tools, and the random stuff I’ve been putting off buying for the house, my cart fills up fast. This year I’m being intentional about it. Here’s what I’m actually watching for — stuff I’ve either already bought, already own, or have been eyeing for months.

    🚴 Cycling

    Bikewa Men’s 3D Padded Cycling Shorts Shop on Amazon →

    I’m deep in a 25-week build right now and logging serious saddle time. Good biking shorts are non-negotiable. These Bikewa shorts check all the right boxes — 3D padding for long rides, UPF 50+ coverage (hello, Texas summer), and zipper pockets that actually hold stuff. If you’re doing any kind of brick workouts or back-to-back bike days, having a quality second pair in the rotation is a lifesaver. Prime Day is the perfect time to grab a backup.

    🏃 Running Apparel

    MIER Men’s 7″ Running Shorts Shop on Amazon →

    Quick dry, zipper pockets, 7″ inseam — this is the formula. I’ve been putting more mileage back on my legs lately and the last thing I want is shorts that chafe, bunch, or leave me soaked halfway through a run. The MIER shorts are a no-brainer grab if they go on sale, which they almost always do during Prime Day.

    NORTHYARD Men’s Running Athletic Shorts Shop on Amazon →

    I’m a NORTHYARD convert at this point. The linerless design is a personal preference for longer efforts — less friction, more freedom of movement. These are the shorts I reach for on my lunchtime sessions and long Sunday runs. The pocket situation is solid too. Highly recommend picking up a couple pairs if these drop in price.

    CRZ YOGA Men’s Quick Dry Crewneck Workout Shirt Shop on Amazon →

    Lightweight, quick dry, doesn’t cling when you’re sweating through a Zone 2 effort in 95-degree Texas heat. I wear these for runs and strength sessions alike. Simple, functional, and they wash well. These are the kind of basics worth stocking up on when the price dips.

    🏊 Swim Gear

    Three swim days a week means I’m in the water Monday, Wednesday, and Friday without fail. Over time you figure out pretty quickly which gear is worth investing in and which stuff is just clutter in your bag. Here’s what I’m actually using — and what I’d grab on Prime Day if the price moves.

    Nike Hydroblast Swim Goggles Shop on Amazon →

    A good pair of goggles is one of those things you don’t appreciate until you’ve had a bad pair. The Nike Hydroblasts give me a solid seal, clear sightlines, and they don’t leave me looking like a raccoon after a long swim set. If you’re still swimming in whatever came in a starter kit years ago, this is the upgrade to make.

    Contour Swim Paddles with Adjustable Straps Shop on Amazon →

    Paddles are one of my favorite tools for building pull strength and upper body power — which matters a lot when you’re trying to exit a swim and immediately get on a bike for hours. The adjustable straps on these make them easy to fit and the contour shape means you’re actually developing proper catch mechanics rather than just muscling through the water. A solid Prime Day grab if they discount.

    CAPAS Silicone Swim Training Fins Shop on Amazon →

    Short blade fins are underrated for triathlon training. These CAPAS fins are comfortable enough for long sets — silicone vs. rubber makes a real difference on your ankles — and the short blade keeps your kick turnover realistic rather than training you to rely on a giant flipper. The mesh bag they come with is a nice touch for pool bag organization too. Great for leg strength work and building that kick power for open water

    Final Thoughts

    Prime Day is loud and chaotic, and it’s easy to impulse-buy stuff you don’t need. My approach: make the list before the sale starts, check the storefront, and only pull the trigger on things that were already on the radar. Everything above fits that criteria for me.

    Got questions about any of this gear? Drop them in the comments. I’m happy to go deeper on any of it.

    Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use.

  • SuperTri Austin (CapTex) Super Sprint Race Recap — A Fast Swim, a Fading Run, and a Clear Lesson

    SuperTri Austin (formerly CapTex Tri) is the new name for what used to be the CapTex Tri, but the feel of the race is still very much the same—fast, local, and competitive. This year I raced the super sprint, not because it fit neatly into a long‑term build, but because I wanted to race alongside Brandon and Preston. It as Preston’s first triathlon.

    That was the right reason to show up.

    Short races like this don’t give you much room to hide. You race what you’ve trained, and whatever gaps exist show up quickly—especially on the run

    The Super Sprint Format

    The super sprint is simple on paper: a short swim, a short bike, and a short run. In practice, it’s aggressive from the gun and unforgiving of mistakes.

    There’s no time to settle in, no long bike to smooth things out, and no chance to pace conservatively. Execution matters immediately.

    That’s what makes it useful.

    Swim: Exactly Where I Wanted to Be

    The swim went as well as I could have hoped.

    I was first out of the water in my age group, which set the tone for the rest of the race. Clean water early matters a lot in a short format, and it allowed me to start the bike in control rather than reacting.

    The focus was simple:

    • Stay relaxed
    • Breathe well
    • Exit the water ready to work

    That part of the race went to plan.

    Bike: Short, Hard, and Controlled

    The bike leg was fast and punchy, with no room to coast.

    In a super sprint, the bike is less about steady power and more about riding hard without panicking. I focused on smooth accelerations, staying composed, and not chasing effort just for the sake of it.

    Racing with Brandon and Preston added to the experience. It sharpens your focus without turning the race into something it doesn’t need to be.

    Run: Where It Fell Apart

    The run is where the race exposed the gap in my preparation.

    I simply hadn’t trained the run well enough for this kind of effort, and it showed almost immediately. What should have been a sharp, controlled push turned into a fight to hold form and pace. In a race this short, there’s no time to recover once things start slipping.

    No mystery here and no excuses—the run fell apart because I didn’t put in the work there.

    That’s the lesson

    The Takeaway: Train the Run

    This race delivered a very clear message:

    If I want to race well, I have to train the run more.

    Short formats don’t allow you to hide behind fitness from other disciplines. They reward specificity and punish neglect. Swim fitness and bike strength can only carry things so far—eventually the run demands its due.

    That’s something I’ll address heading into the next block.

    Racing With Friends Still Made It a Win

    Even with a fading run, racing this event alongside Brandon and Preston made the day worth it.

    Sharing the course with people you respect changes the tone of the race. The pressure comes down, the experience goes up, and the finish line feels more meaningful regardless of the clock.

    That matters.

    Final Thoughts

    I crossed the line in 1:02:19, tired, honest about what went wrong, and clear about what needs work next.

    SuperTri Austin (CapTex) was exactly what I needed—a fast effort, a reality check, and a reminder that racing doesn’t always have to be about perfect execution. Sometimes it’s about learning quickly and moving forward with intention.

    Next one: SuperTri Kerville and a better run prep.