multi sports switchup!

A few weeks ago I finally had some time to get out on my mountain bike.  I really missed being out on the bike.  I have since been out about 5 times in the last 2 weeks.  Adding biking to my training regimen has also helped to break up the monotony of running all the time.  As much as I like to run, sometimes its nice to have another avenue to take to freshen up your workouts.  After some discussion with friends I have decided to start training for a potential sprint triathlon or two in the coming year.

I am curious to see how having the baby will affect my exercise routines.  I know that the first few months to years are going to be very time consuming and are going to strain my workouts.  I would never put a workout first when it comes to my son.  I am going to have to be creative to get my workouts in while the baby naps or when Christine and I are both home and I can sneak away for an hour.  Add to that the lack of sleep we will have from having a newborn in the house and this whole fit dad thing could go out the window in a few weeks! (unlikely...I've worked too hard to get here!!).

So after talking to some friends that cycle, riding some bikes, test riding some bikes on craigslist and lusting over the $10,000 carbon fiber featherweights the guys in the Tour De France were riding I went to my Local Bike Shop.  I went to Trek of Pittsburgh and tried out some Focus and Trek bikes but the prices for the bikes I wanted were just too high for my budget.  I went to ProCycles in the South Hills and the bikes there were too high for the budget as well.  On a whim I asked the guy who was helping me if they had any bikes they were offering deals on now.  He showed me a few bikes that were carbon fiber and out of my price range.  I asked if they had anything at any of their other stores that were aluminum and reasonably priced into my budget.  He told me they were dealing on a couple of older Cannondales.  I tried one out, and the frame fit me very well!!  So I had them ship one over and I am now the proud owner of a 2009 or 2010 (not sure) CAAD9.  It's light, its fast (has a compact sprocket), and it was in my budget!!  

I can't wait to get the clip in pedals set on the bike and learn how to use them so I can get out and use this thing on the road.  I will follow up with a review/writeup of my experience with the bike as well as my foray into road cycling.  For now the bike is relegated to use on the trainer in the game room just until I get comfortable with the pedals.  Of course I am sure there is going to be an amusing story to go along with my first road trip on the clip in pedals!  Wish me luck!

Can I call this a timeline?

At 16 years old, I definitely wasn't ready!  I cared about girls, sports, and driving.

At 18 years old, I can assure you I wasn't ready.  I was a serial dater, competitive athlete, and was thinking about college.

At 21 years old, I wasn't close to ready.  I was more concerned with beer, parties, and making sure I passed my tests in Pharmacy School.

At 24 years old, I wasn't ready but I could have provided for.  I was a freshly minted Pharmacist, I drank too much, worked too much, and cared too much...about myself.

At 27 years old, I had so much more I wanted to do.  I still cared more about myself but was ready to care equally about someone else.

At 29 years old, I was sharing my feelings and my life with another person.  Christine became the center of my life but she was my focus.

At 30 years old, I caught the traveling bug, Maui, BoraBora, and Italy, we came home refreshed and happy and ready.

At 31 years old the time had come I was ready to care more about someone else than I did about myself.

At 32 years old, I am going to be a Dad.  I'm ready to devote my life to this child.  Changes are going to be swift and drastic in the coming weeks.  I'm ready.  I don't entirely know what to expect but that's part of the excitement of being a first time parent.  I know now that it will never be about me anymore, it will be about him, about us, and about everything else.

We have about 20 days left until the due date, with the current progression with Christine I would say that she won't make it to the due date.  I have a feeling that little boy in there is going to be here sooner than later.  I can't wait to meet him and I can't wait to show him to you.

Life is going to change...sooner than later.

Why We Run.

Let me start off by saying I don't feel bad for Ben Comen in fact, I am very happy that Ben Comen found running.  Watching this story had a profound effect on me a few years ago and I want to share this amazing young mans story with the world.  I first saw this story on an episode of ESPN Sportscenter a few years back.  I was getting ready for work and while watching it I was balling like a little baby.  I'm not a cryer and I am thinking to myself dude, get it together!!  But then I felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness in the story because Ben overcomes so much to be a part of this team it's just amazing.   If you don't smile, choke back tears, and watch in awe at the power of the human spirit in this kid you need to check your pulse.

After being part of the Cross Country team in high school and now getting back into running I can tell you that the way his teammates respond to his drive is everything that is good about running.  It's the mindset of a group of people who strive for individual achievement but come together so strongly for someone who is just like them, a runner.  I beg you to take the 8 minutes or so will take to watch this video.  There is so much this young man can teach you about life and the value of being part of something bigger than yourself.

Why do you run?  Is it to keep in shape?  Is it to feel better about yourself?  Or is it to feel like you belong to a team, a fraternity of runners, a group of like minded people who share your love for the run?

I run because I love it and I hope that never changes.  I promise to raise my son to be as accepting and amazing as the teammates of this young man as well!!

Drummmmroll Please!

The nursery reveal is long overdue!  I have been putting it off because I have been too busy doing yard work, running, biking, and working!  I finally took some pictures yesterday, while I was editing those I also edited some pictures I took of my Godson, Nolan. 

So without further adieu here is the nursery!

I am very pleased with how the nursery turned out!!  I think it will be the perfect environment for our son to grow up in! 

While I am here talking about figured I would also point out that my Godson turned 6 months old recently.  Here are some shots from his last trip to our house.  You can find additional pictures at my flickr page. 

Here's Nolan!

 I loved the pouting picture, I think it's hilarious because he is normally so happy like he is in this picture below!

The Brooks Ghost 3.

Saying goodbye to a really good friend can be difficult.  Especially a friend that has been with you for many months.   Braved frigid winter temperatures, rain, sun, humidity, heat, pavement, and trails.  Saying goodbye to your favorite pair of shoes can be heartbreaking.  I have put the Saucony Ride 2's into retirement, they have been relegated to the medial task of keeping my feet comfy at work.  Enjoy retirement Ride's because after retirement you will be relegated to grass cutting which will only leave you stained green and tattered.

You see, I loved these shoes.  I don't think I have ever loved a pair of running shoes more than these.  I finally found a shoe in the Saucony Ride and then Ride 2 that I loved.  They fit me perfectly, they were light, they were comfy, and they didn't rub or cause blisters.  Then Saucony decided to change the shoe.  I went to Fleet feet the other day and tried on a pair or Ride 4's only to find that they tightened up the toe box on the shoe and now it rubbed on the outside of my foot when I ran and it cramped my toes.  Frown.  I have to find new shoes.

I consulted the always friendly and knowledgeable staff at Fleet Feet and was directed to the Brooks Ghost 3 (currently on sale because they just got in the 4's).  I was intrigued.  Would this shoe be as comfortable as my last pair, could I ever love again?  You see I am a shoe snob, always have been.  I can't help it, I can tell the first time I wear a pair of running shoes if I will like them.  I can also tell by the fatigue in my legs when its time to replace said pair of shoes because when I get home my legs ache.  Please judge me if you must but I am picky about my shoes, but its what's inside that counts I don't go on looks alone.  You can keep your Nikes, your Adidas, and your RBK's.  You can't sell me on toning shoes or other gimmicky crap for the average consumer, I want a running shoe that has a sole (get it sole...not...soul...) purpose in life to make running more enjoyable.  So after quietly weeping to myself that my Saucony's were moving on to people with more narrow feet and neutral running style I reluctantly tried on the Brooks.  I don't have anything against Brooks honestly I don't.  In fact I love my Cascadia Trail shoes, but I have never worn Brooks out on the road.

I put them in the store and was offered the chance by the sales girl to take them out for a quick jog around the parking lot.  I was excited for the spin around the lot because when I laced those puppies up they just felt good.  I did my lap around the lot and thought I heard angels singing because these shoes felt exactly like my previous pair of Saucony Ride 2's, only lighter.  I didn't weigh the shoes to find out but they feel lighter on my feet.  Feeling satisfied with the purchase I took them home and made it a point to make sure I got out for a run on Saturday to test them out.

I was up late on Friday so I opted to sleep in Saturday and instead run after work at 4pm.  Of course if you have been keeping up with the weather around these parts you would also know that it has been near 90 all week but the humidity was relatively low for this time of year.  I came home as excited as a muggle on the release of the new Harry Potter Flick and immediately changed into my running gear and put on the Ghosts.

I went for a 4 mile run in the heat in about 33.5 minutes.  Then warmed down with a brisk walk for 5 minutes and headed in to the A/C to try to get my body back to a reasonable temperature.

Saucony who?  I love these shoes!! Love Love LOVE them.  They are  well cushioned, they don't rub, and they look sweet.  They have a slight curve to the sole as well so it feels very natural wearing them.  Traction was also very good with them, but then again pretty much anything that touched the pavement was gooey and sticky in this heat so I will let you know the next time I run in wetter weather how they hold up.  The shoe is well ventilated and my feet never felt like they were overheating either.  I am a neutral runner and I felt that these shoes did not hinder or change my stride or foot striking either.  I am happily impressed with them!  Sometimes it takes a little heartbreak to open your eyes to what else is out there. 

Runner's World Magazine also has this shoe as an Editors Choice and many of the reviews online are also very favorable.  After some reading up on Brooks as well I learned that they have an EXCELLENT guarantee with their products as well.  (I lifted this directly from their website)

Brooks' True Blue Guarantee

Brooks products come with a no-questions-asked, 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your new Brooks equipment within the first 30 days after purchase, we will replace or exchange your product.

To return item(s) purchased on Brooksrunning.com

Unworn Items: To return an unworn item for a refund, please package it in its original packaging and return it within 30 days. You are responsible for the cost of shipping the item back to us, and we recommend using a shipping method with tracking for your return. Please use the address label provided in your original shipment. We do our best to refund your credit card within 48 hours of receipt. After that, your bank may take between 2 and 10 days to credit your card.
Worn or Defective Items: Brooks products come with a no-questions-asked, 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, please call us at 1-800-227-6657 and we will replace or exchange your product free of charge. Please note that abuses to the exchange policy, such as abnormal wear and tear, are subject to Brooks' discretion. When used for its intended purposes, Brooks footwear has a life expectancy of 300 to 500 miles or three to six months.

So if you are a neutral runner and you are in the market for a cushiony, buttery smooth road shoe I highly recommend you check these out!

Happy Running!

Weigh In update.

Nothing exciting to report from my usual Sunday weigh in.  Lost 0.0lbs last week, good news though I didn't gain anything either.  I am sure the two trips with the wife, and the wifes family to The Original Pancake house didn't help.  No worries though just sticking with the plan and the workouts.  Speaking of workouts, check out the review of The Brooks Ghost 3's coming next!

change of pace...

When it comes to cardio I have been strictly running this year to get back in shape and to help promote weight loss along with my new healthy diet.  So to break up the monotony and bring out some fun that I haven't had in a while I pulled out the mountain bike and went out to tear up the trails in South Park today.  I had a great time!!  I was shocked to also find out that my Garmin Forerunner works VERY well even in the woods with heavy tree cover!  I covered about 7.5 miles on the roads and the hilly back singletrack trails of the woods surrounding the park.  I "forgot" what a great cardio workout mtn biking is!  Wow...I was breathing hard and my legs were really burning on some of the more steep goat paths in the woods!!  I didn't stop to take many pictures because I didn't want to interrupt my workout.  But I stopped once in the woods to dig some thorns out of my shoe that were digging into my foot, and once in the singletrack to let a guy and his dog get past me.

All in all it was a great morning workout in the cool summer morning today!

I also decided to stop at fleet feet sports this morning to pick up a new pair of running shoes to replace my compressed and worn out Saucony Ride 2's.  I switched to Saucony about 2 years ago and have really really loved the shoes they make.   The plan was to head back in and try on and pick up a pair of the new Rides, which is now the Ride 4.  They looked very similar to the shoes I have, but the sales girl told me that alot of people have been coming in requesting the Ride3's if they still had them in stock because they made some changes to the new shoe.  I put on the Ride 4's and they had the traditional Saucony cushiony comfort and felt light.  BUT, and this is a big butt, the toe box in the shoes is substantially more narrow than past versions of the shoe.  I took them for a spin around the parking lot and felt an unusual rub on the outside of my foot.  I didn't like it, and felt it would lead to blisters on longer runs.  So I went back into the store and asked what else they had in a more neutral style running shoe.  The girl brought me out a pair of the Brooks Ghost 3's.  They also have the Brooks Ghost 4's in stock as well but they are $20 more than the 3's.  So I tried them on and they felt VERY light.  I went for another lap around the parking lot and was very happy with them.  I will be taking them out for their inaugural run this weekend and I will write up a review on this new shoe!

Off to golf now!  Have a great day all!