New Trigeek Toys from Santa!

Ok what toys did Santa bring? No coal this year however, I was threatened several times by the wife if I did not pick something out soon. Santa always knows what I like though, so I picked out one of the GORE windstopper bike jackets. Wore it last night for a brick session, running about an hour yesterday evening. All I can say is "perfect" fits nice and snug, breathes, but stops the wind, fuzzy around the neck, so no scratchy, itchy stuff going on there. Sleeves zip off when riding the bike starts out cold but gets 30 degrees warmer by nooon (Typical NC Winter weather). Best of all the whole thing folds around itself into the back pocket in a small little ball - this has two velcro straps to hang somewhere on your bike. So it can start off cold, zipp out the sleeves a little later and if you are still riding and it gets real warm, just take it off and voila it stores by 2 simple straps of velcro around the top tube.

Ok here is where Santa got smart; did not ask for this, but Santa knows what I like. She (Wife is Santa) got me a Garmin Forerunner 305. Did not know quite what to think at first, but now that I have used it for several long runs, I am really starting to like this thing. Instant detailed info on everything from heart rate, distance, pace etc. etc. Perfect for my long runs; I went out while in knoxville for several 2 hour runs, turns out to be quite hilly in Knoxville. Thanks to the 305 I could esaily set an alarm to let me know if I pushed too hard on the hills and my heart rate went out of my training zone. When you are done, connect it to the laptop and downlaod the results into the traiing software for detailed analysis. Have not tried it on the bike yet but that should be really cool as well, since you can see the course you just road or create a course first and have it show you where you need to turn. Ever get lost on a long bike ride? I have, not anymore, not with the new GPS toy!

Santa is so smart!

Are you a "Die Hard"

Are you one of those Die Hards? Think back to that perfect day last Spring, weather was perfect, no rain, plenty of sunshine and a perfect temperature. You look out the office window and just know this is going to be a GREAT day to ride. You show up at the group ride and everyone is out, young, old, fast or slow they all show up. Everyone had a great ride and you can just feel the excitement and general good feelings in the air.

Now let's get back to reality, winter has started, the temperature drops, rain, snow, sleet possible. You cannot get outside during the week so all your workouts are done inside. By the weekend if you are anything like me, you are just dying to get outside and ride with some friends; talk about your week and just let the miles roll by. However you wake up, make that cup of coffee and take the dog out, holy cow is it cold; so cold I do not even want to know. Click on the weather channel, not much good news there either, the high of the day looks like a decent LOW. What to wear, how many layers, what socks? My feet always freeze no matter what I do. I grew up in the South I hate the cold, hell bring 105 degrees and I can handle it, anything below 50 and I am a total wimp. So you finally figure out what to wear, how many layers, pack up the bike, get that weird look from the neighbor (You can only imagine what he is thinking - That idiot is riding his bike TODAY?) Just give a nice wave and out you go to the ride. You show up at the designated start area, you are the first to arrive. Start getting ready to go, ok do I want that extra layer? If I take it off wear can I put it anyway? Ok let's roll - you look around 10 other people are here and doing the same thing. Sure enough you hear those famous words early in the ride (Only the Die Hards out today!) Wow 10 people not tood bad, you finish your 50,60,80 mile ride whatever you need and you think. Who are these people, professional atletes, maybe but probably not, Weekend warriors, Triathletes, Cyclist preparing for the race season? Maybe here and there but mostly just peopel who like to ride, stay fit and just ride with a few friends no matter what the weather. Well there you have it! That is what a Die Hard is and personally I have a lot of respect for all the brave souls out on days like this last weekend. Just damn cold! Brrrrrr!

If the shoe fits?

All you runners out there know the value of finding a good well fitting running shoe. For me that has been Asics for years. Tried low end to high end and if it said Asic I generally liked it. My foot is a little wide, not extreme, no big problems with pronation or funky feet. Pretty decent running stype (Pose) I guess, at least that is what I am told. Did I learn this, work on this? No, not really I just naturally run that way and I guess that is good. So back to the shoes, been wearing the Asics for years, usually buy a mid to high end shoe. In the winter I tend to look for more cusioning and longer lasting, during the race season I look for something lighter for racing ,but I don't usually go for the racing flats.

Last year my wife wanted to train for a half marathon and has issues with running like shin plints and hip area problems. She has not been runing long and so of course I gave her the "low down" on shoe fit,"don't go cheap", what appear to be small differences in shoes become BIG differences when running any significant difference over time, Buy shoes often, the shoe can still look great but may be broken down from too many miles and finallly find what works and stick with it talk.

So what did I do - "The exact opposite of course"! A few months back I deciced to buy some new shoes - still had a few months in the season and really like my last pair of Asics I had, so off to the store I go after looking them up online to see what the cheapest price I could find was. I have been doing this for a while now - look up what I want online and then see if the stores will match or beat the price. To my surprise they have everytime to date. BEST places I have found to buy shoes Dicks Sporting goods and Omega Sports with Omega being the best due to knowledgabel sales staff and inventory. However, this time I am at Omega looking for my favorite brand. "I am sorry sir we do not have your size", how about this comparable shoe from Mizuno? Normally there woudl be a quick response from me - "No I think I will stick with my Asics" Not this time, I made the mistake of picking up the shoe and it was noticably lighter and they had it on sale. Ok let me try a pair, I slide them on and immediately notice the sole is MUCH stiffer. The knowledgable sales guy says - you re correct they use a stiff but flexible shim in the shoe instead of the Gel like Asics. I think about it and say OK I will give it a try. My wife has quietly been sitting over to the side and comes over at this point. "Jerry are you sure, you have always worn Asics and you said "if you find what works - stick with it". Well you would think that after 10 years of marriage I would have learned by now that the "Boss" (Wife that is ) is always right.
So out I go on my first run, and yes the sole is much stiffer - long story short, my feet hurt on the bottoms when I return after only a 6 mile run. Does this phase me - No way! I wear the shoes to work and other places to help break them in (Something I never have to do with Ascis) finally after a good 2-3 weeks of wearing and running in the shoe, a few small but noticeable blisters I break the shoe in enough where it no longer bothers me. Or maybe I just got used to it? Either way I wear the shoe until it starts to break down and went out over the Thanksgiving Holiday period (Sales, Sales, Sales) to buy another pair of running shoes. Any guess on what I got. Asics 2110 - just put them on, they fit perfect, feel great, no break in time. Think you could get me to try something different in the future. I doubt it? Not because I learned my lesson, but becasue I have a secret weapon I plan on deploying each time I need shoes.

I am taking the wife along to keep me from doing anything STUPID!