TRI & BE TOUGH!! (Tough Chik review/giveaway!)

As you all know by now, I am a HUGE fan of all things Tough Chik.

I have been lucky enough to work with Tough Chik and the head Tough Chik (and founder) Shannon for quite some time and I have to say it is always a pleasure to share the Tough Chik love with friends-and the blogosphere.


The Original Tough Chik, Shannon is also competing in her first triathlon this weekend! I could think of no better way to celebrate (and welcome one more to the dark side) than with a Tough Chik Tri Top review and GIVEAWAY!!!!!


While training for Timberman 70.3, Shannon so generously hooked me up with the new tri top from Tough Chik -
it was love at first sight.



I loved the color-even though it is not pink-it was vibrant. A rich, royal purple with the Tough Chik logo in white on the top front.

A black and gray "Checker flag" pattern blazes down each side.
The back is cut racer style (Oh.MY.LOVE.it!) with a small but generous sized pocket
(it that an oxymoron?). There were some initial concerns about the pocket (would it cause drag during the swim sans wetsuit) but after a couple swims with it in the pool, it was not a worry for me. Plus, 97% of the time I am wearing a wetsuit for OWS.
The top has a built in shelf bra which is perfect for me since I'm built like a 12-year old boy this would eliminate the need to wear a sports bra under the tri top. Most of the tri tops I have do not have this feature (Champion Systems, Zoot, Sugoi) and I was super excited about this!! But you do not have to be rocking the A cup to take advantage of this added benefit. This top easily accommodates a to D cups.
Plus, with the dark purple color AND the lining of the shelf bra, I did not have to worry about putting on a show getting out of the water or after being doused in water on the run-meaning it's not see through like some of my tops. No need for NippleGate right.
SIDE NOTE: Shannon actually put a lot of thought into the planning here-other colors were eliminated because of this very reason. She's a smart cookie huh??
BUT--would the shelf bra hold up in training?? (yeah-pun totally intended).
Yup, it did. Very comfy and it kept the girls in place and not a single episode of chafing. Even when layered with my Garmin HR strap.
The material is, of course, high quality. It is not a thin, flimsy lycra.. This has a nice "hand" to it and just has a luxe feel to it. Nice stretch but not restrictive or binding.
I think the feature I was most impressed with about the Tough Chik tri top was the actual CUT of the garment.
It was long enough in front to not ride up and continually expose my belly (like most of my tops) and it was long enough in the back to look good and stay put.
This is actually my biggest pet peeve about most tri tops.
While my chest is built like a 12-year old boy, I do have hips and I do have a booty. Most tops are cut straight and short, thus riding up constantly.
I do not want to have to worry about pulling my top down while running.
I was not going to worry about pulling my top down over 70.3 miles either....
So after weeks of training in several tops, I knew that the race day decision was going to be a "tough"one. While I love my tri club, I don't love their top. I really wanted to wear my club colors for my first half. BUT, I do love Tough Chik and loved the fit of this tri top.
So the decision was....

I was proudly wearing purple and a smile over each of those 70.3 miles!!

This top is not limited to triathlon.

I wear this top cycling on hot days.

I weight train in this top.

I run in this top.

I hang out with Triathlon Royalty in this top.

(yes, every opportunity to use this picture huh??)

So even if you are not a triathlete, this functional garment can work for you.

Want your own Tough Chik tri top??
You can find it here!!

Wanna win some Tough Chik gear??
One lucky Miles Muscles & Mommyhood reader will win one of Tough Chik's tees!!

There are TONS of way to enter for your chance to win:

1-Mandatory: Be a follower of this blog.
2-Send your well wishes to Shannon for a great TRI this weekend!! You can find her on Twitter and on Facebook.
3-Like Tough Chik on Facebook.
4-Follow Tough Chik on Twitter.
5-Follow ME on Twitter.
6-Tell me which tee you pick if you win and WHY!
7-Place an order with Tough Chik.
8-Sign up for the Tough Chik newsletter.
9-Tell me what makes YOU a Tough Chik.
10-Share the love-Tweet, FB, share on your blog, etc. +1 entry for each way you spread the word.

BONUS: refer a new blog follower my way, have them comment that they found the blog through you and get +2 extra entries for this giveaway-for YOU and for the new follower!!

**When I hit 400 Followers, there will be an EPIC givewaway**