Buying Shoes

Let me cut to the quick: I hate buying shoes.

Any shoes. But mostly running shoes. I am able to take this exciting (for runners anyway) experience and turn it into a sleep-losing and stressful ordeal. How? I have a knack for making things difficult. I don't mean it, it just comes naturally.

My feet fall between an 8.5 and a 9, with the 9 frequently being too large and the 8.5 being marginally too small. This is where my obsessive nature gets in the way. Which one do I choose? Too small and I risk losing toenails, too large and I risk blisters forming between my toes. Generally I end up buying a shoe and taking it home where I will obsessively try it on every 20 or so minutes, jam my thumb between the end of the shoe and my toe and try and convince myself that this is the one. Satisfied. I'll take them off and neatly return them to the box where I will carefully wrap them in the paper. Why do I put them in the box? Because even though I just decided THIS pair of shoes shall adorn my feet, uncertainty lingers like the few remaining hairs on my head.

Case in point. I recently ordered a new pair of Nike Pegasus 26 GTX. Lovely shoes. Suitable for both road and trail with a Gore-Tex® lining guaranteed to keep my feet warm and dry. Now, because I was ordering these I wouldn't be able to have the usual sleepover try on date. I wanted to avoid shipping them back. I had to do my homework beforehand. I went to the local big box store and promptly tried on a 9 and a 9.5.

Why not an 8.5 you ask? In my frantic need to get a shoe fix I overlooked this detail. Obviously the 9.5 was too big. The 9 was great. I pulled the trigger and ordered them.

When they arrived a slight squeal escaped my throat as I carefully removed them from the box and slid them onto my feet and checked the toe clearance. A little more than a thumb.

A little more. But it was just a little depending where and how I pressed in the top of the shoe. They were fine as I wore them for a few minutes, this is the size I needed I told myself.

They were too big.

Back to the big box at 8:00 pm to try on an 8.5. No Pegasus. So I tried on not one, but five other styles of Nike running shoes in size 8.5 and 9. The 9s all fit the same. The 8.5s all fit too tight. Most normal people would take this as an indicator of the 9 being the correct size. But I. Am. Not. Normal. I am tenaciously obnoxious and obsessive. About running shoes.

I went home and slid back into the 9s. This is good, these will be great. This is the size the guys at the running store would recommend. I stared at the shoes on my feet as I waited for the rationalization switch to flip. I'll take them to work with me tomorrow, and run in them. Carefully, they were wrapped and stowed inside that orange, swooshy box.

At work, again I tried them on and stared at them hopefully while jamming my thumbs first into one shoe and then the other (my right foot is slightly larger). I had tried on other 8.5s, but I would not be satisfied until I tried on the Pegasus in an 8.5. Again, back to the box.

Later that night, with a blessing from a very understanding Wifey (who is painfully aware of my nature), I drove to another big box with the hope of finding this elusive shoe. Which they did. And the 8.5 fit. Like. A. Glooooove.

A glove. Perfect in my estimation. Now that the 9s were dead to me, all I had to do was get them back. Then get my 8.5s. All of which should be done just about the time I no longer need the benefits of Gore-Tex®.

Next up? New cycling shoes. I don't like them too big either. I feel like my foot moves around inside and robs me of power. But too small, my toenails put holes in my socks and when my feet swell the shoes are too tight... Unfortunately, there is a huge price disparity between the shoes at the LBS and those at online retailers. Which means I'll likely order them. Maybe I'll just make it easy and order sizes 8-9.5. Then I can sit alone and really get crazy!

Obvilivious

Last post I whined about lack of motivation and being tired and stuff. I slapped around every reason why except for one: Overtraining.

I know, it sounds odd. But as I look back at the last couple of months, I've recognized a pattern of exercising in a sort of no-man's land where the gains are small for the output levels. My morning strength training sessions are usually 30-45 minutes of non-stop movement. Runs have been consistently faster also, my rationale being I haven't really taken a break this year and I should be carrying fitness that allows me to go at that speed. It does, but just not every damn workout.

So, it is time to get my shit together and get on The Plan. I should have my yearly schedule done today, and I might even post it here in the hope some of you that visit this page will taunt me into sticking with it. Something I haven't done in many years. With the plan in hand, the next thing to do is find my heart rates for cycling, running and swimming through stress testing and setting heart rate zones that will maximize training. This accomplished, I will throw myself into The Plan, starting with a nice block of base building that will help my body handle increased training loads later and (hopefully) prevent me from overdoing over again.

A House of Fire!

2010 has been here for a couple of weeks and along with it additional motivation to accomplish the things I have been putting off. Sort of. Most of what I want to do involves being outdoors in the cold. So, not much of that has been getting done. Still, I have some motivation to get rolling once the weather warms up, and since we are on the downhill slope of the winter solstice days are getting longer!

I am still on the hunt for a half Iron distance race. I have found a couple and both times had the opportunities stolen by other commitments. Which is fricking irritating to say the least.

Training for said future race is going like a house of fire! My motivation is sustainable. I have been running, lifting, swimming some and biking on the trainer a little. I might be doing too much though. By Thursday the house has burned down and left me a blackened shell. My legs are sore and I just get tired. Might be the schedule that involves mostly two-a-day workouts...

Last Post of an Odd Year

2009 will soon be hobbling its old ass out the door to make way for the screaming brat that is 2010. Can't wait. Cuz, you know, 2010 will be so much different.

Right now all 2010 means to me is that the gym and pool will be packed until the middle of February. Then reality sets in and all the resolutionaries once drunkenly determined to make 2010 the year they get in shape give up and head back to their respective sofas and give me the workout facilities back.

Who am I kidding. I ain't barely done shit in weeks. I keep telling myself, "Self, don't sweat it. You are just taking some time off." Then self replies, "Time off from what shitface? It isn't like we're pulling 20 hour training weeks with 200 miles on the bikes, 50 on the feet and 5 in the pool plus weights, stretching etc. Our entire training regimen is essentially 'taking time off.'" "Self." I then reply. "Self, you are a dick."



Actually, with holidays and a week off for Dinnyland, it's no wonder I can't get my motor running. Let alone head out on the highway. But DL was another great time. Save for the 16 hour drive to SoCal, Wifey and Smarty Pants getting sick, the busy nights and eventually leaving the 70° temps. Smarty Pants was much more fun than the last time. She rode everything, even the Tower of Terror. Speaking of terror, not only did I survive the Princess Dinner at Ariel's Grotto, I finally met my nemesis, Jaws, at Universal Studios.



As for Christmas, the Dinny trip made shopping easier than ever. We didn't have enough money left to do much! AWESOME. Almost makes me want to take a vacation every year if it allows me to avoid the mall.

With that, what will my 2010 hold? I have goals. Goals beyond sport, even.
• I want to complete a half iron distance triathlon.
• I want to race an XTERRA event.
• I want to race a couple of mountain bike events.
• I want to complete a couple of half marathons (which I am already registered for. Take that Self!).
• Cyclocross in the fall.
• I want to finish my garage.
• I want to paint the bathrooms.

Time, motivation and money are my biggest obstacles. Mainly motivation. I really need to choose the rest of my events and get a training plan together. Or a coach. Maybe just a coach.

And I need to start looking for a new vehicle.
And a TT bike.
And a mountain bike.
And when did this New Year's post become a Christmas list?

Happy New Year.

It's Cold Again

Okay. I don't do this enough. But thanks to any and all who check in and see if I have had anything exciting enough happen that is worth mentioning. Truth is, I have. In my mind anyway...

So, a summary of recent event since my last post is in order...

- Winter has arrived in Utah, bringing with it the ususal score of idiots that forget that accumulated ice and snow on the roads makes said road surfaces slippery.

- I managed to survive another Christmas lights on the house adventure without shaking myself off the roof. Or simply falling. (I hate being off the ground. Even swimming I am off the ground, technically. Love/hate.)

- New shed, still no room in the garage. What the fuck there?

But things are happening and work is nuts and I am trying to fit in a little of this and that where I can.

I sat out pretty much the last cross race of the year yesterday at Fort Buenaventura. Alas, have to save cash for Christmas. Plus I am a little gunshy after my 0-3 finishing record this year. I am already looking ahead to 2010 and maybe a new Fisher Presidio. Maaayyybeee.

I realized the other day I hadn't swum since the J&J Tri in Septemeber and drug ass to the pool last week. Getting there is an accomplishment. I am still slow, but plan on going more as of tonight.

The Madone is sadly on the trainer. Sad for me. Not the bike.

The Titus is ready to hit the road and go to a farm where it can roam and be happy. Sadly, my last two ride on it have been fantastic enough to question my motives for selling it. Especially blizzard ride. That was so cool. If anyone needs a great deal on a great bike, I got one.

Still need to post some pics of the Racer.

Smarty Pants is a pistol. Wifey is looking awesome with her new workout schedule.

Congrats to Jenn and Craig on child #2. All our love.

And I am proud to say that I know two Ironman Age Group Winners. Katie and TOBY! You two rock. I hope one day to mimic your feat of Ironman glory. And get ready for KONA!

More later. I so promise.

db