Inside My Gear Bag With Meredith Kessler
The persistently positive and ever resilient pro shared a look at the products behind her long-course victories.
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San Francisco Bay Area-based pro triathlete Meredith Kessler left a job in investment banking to pursue her passion for long-course racing, and in total has raced more than 50 full Ironmans. The Ohio native participated in both collegiate field hockey and track, and transformed into a well-rounded triathlete, thanks in part to her coaching by Matt Dixon of purplepatch fitness. Kessler’s been racing as a professional since late 2010 and has since racked up long-course wins in competitive fields (Ironman 70.3 Vineman, Ironman Arizona) and in brutal conditions (St. George, both the full and half), and had her highest Kona showing ever in 2013 (seventh place). Despite multiple setbacks (crashes, concussions, nutrition issues), she inspires others through her never-give-up attitude and optimistic outlook on life. The persistently positive and ever resilient pro shared a look at the products behind her long-course victories.
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1 Saucony Apparel
(Strider Tank, $42; Impulse Short, $45; Sonic Reflex Jacket, $110, Saucony.com)
“For your ‘run to brunch’ type of workout. To go to and from swims, the Sonic Reflex jacket is easy to get on and off when wet.”
2 Rudy Project Noyz
($225, E-rudy.com)
“For years, I have raced and trained mostly in these. Simply put, these are just so light that you barely realize they are on your face.”
3 Yurbuds Leap Wireless For Women
($100, Yurbuds.com)
“These new Yurbuds are first class. Once you go to Yurbuds, you will never go back to anything else!”
4 Base Electrolyte Salt
($30, Baseperformance.com)
“I carry a small case of it while I’m racing, and on the run before every aid station I lick my thumb, dip it in the salt and intake it before I’m about to grab hydration from the aid station. … Base is the perfect medium of sodium and electrolytes where my body doesn’t freak out or cramp.”
5 Saucony shoes
(Zealot ISO, $130; Women’s Bullet, $55, Saucony.com)
“The Zealots just came out and are the spot-on shoe for really long runs in terms of support, flexibility and overall comfort. I wear the Bullets around leading up to a race.”
6 Rudy Project Sky Major
($200, E-rudy.com)
“For casual sunglasses—the ideal go-to aviators.”
7 Bungalow Munch Granola
($15, Bungalowmunch.com)
“Over yogurt, with milk, mixed with fruit or alone, it’s the perfect granola mix.”
8 Red Bull The Red Edition
($5.98 for four-pack, Walmart.com)
“Crucial in racing and specifically in more intense training. The new cranberry flavor is a favorite.”
9 Amino Skin Sport Lotion
($65 for three-pack, Aminoskin.com)
“A great addition to my lotion rotation. They have lotions for both pre- and post-exercise, all of which are non-greasy, smell fresh and help keep the skin healthy and hydrated.”
10 Carmex Original Stick Lip Balm
($1.59, Walgreens.com)
11 Sharpie Permanent Marker
($1.49, Sharpie.com)
“Always with me to write my husband’s and my nephew’s initials on my hands for extra special motivation.”
12 XLAB Tri Tool Kit ($25) and XLAB Mezzo Cage Pod ($10)
($10, Xlab-usa.com)
13 ROKA Classic foam buoy ($16) and Ankle strap ($10)
(Rokasports.com)
14 Noxzema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream
($4.99, Walgreens.com)
“I wash my face with it to exfoliate and cleanse, and I also use it as a chamois cleanser to prevent anything dramatic downstairs.”
RELATED: Meredith Kessler Leads Wire To Wire At Ironman Arizona