Manatee Mentors 2015.2 CLOSED (Poptarts? Pet pics?) (Page 97)

Try them first, if possible. I've never used Hokas, but I'd be giving them a test run prior to purchase, just because of the differences from a more "standard" shoe.

YMMV.

Randee - I had to hunt to find this:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/gear/gear.asp?pid=13791

So much catching up to do after nearly 24 hours way from Manatee Land!

Shoe Talk - I don't think that I've evern owned a pair of Asics.  I used Saucony, way back when.  Tried some New Balance and went through the tread in short order so back to Saucony's.  Fast forward to this decade. Saucony Guide, Brooks Ghost, Saucony Ride (with Rx orthotics), half size up in the Brooks Ghosts, now Brooks Glycerins (second pair with a third ready to go).  So right now, for me, Brooks.  

Steve - Maybe you should consider buying from someplace like Road Runner Sports that has a generous return policy (90 day test run).  Then, once you fine shoes that your love, order from the LRS. On the one hand, I think that it's really important to support your local run shop/bike shop/tri shop but on the other, they are often too small to have a the generous return policies as the bigger retailers. Sometimes I find that it's necessary to balance this out.  The demo program that Adrienne mentioned might work out well for you too.

Darren - Thanks so much for the camp report!  It sounds like it was really interesting!  I hope that you had a great time and made some friends   Regarding the camp instructors, like anything, you have to know how to "take what you like and leave the rest," as they say in the dog training world.  

Sean - I don't think that you're missing anything with the IM offer.  If you would like to do both and you already know it, it's $25 in your pocket.  If you're not sure, well, it could be a waste of $925.

Randee - We have beautiful weather today here in NC as well.  Mid 70s and very low humidity.  We have been warned that we aren't likely to see this kind of weather again until maybe September so we should enjoy it!  Regarind the A/C, my parents recently had to replace the HVAC in their house and they were told that the newer systems are basically made with sub par materials so they don't last.  Nice.  I think something about Chinese copper coils failing?  The copper isn't the best quality?  (Or else planned obsolescence?)

Tom - Sorry to hear about the foot/ankle issues.  I feel you on that.  I crushed my pinkie toe at the pool on Tuesday and it's ouchie   It's good that this weekend is a cycling thing, not a running thing!

Another PSA, this time @Chris

Balega Comfort Challenge

Attention Balega fans: Just passing along this opportunity from one of our favorite sock brands.

From May 15 through June 15, post photos illustrating the comfort of Balega socks to Instagram, along with the hashtag #BalegaComfortChallenge for the chance to win a free pair. Balega will be picking one winner per day!

No, it was a great idea, actually.  Then when you sign up for each one in turn, it will seem like short money. 

Had a nice moment with The Better Half this morning.  She might sign up and do the Cap Tex Tri with me next weekend (after we do an 8k on Sunday).

Out of the blue.  I said I'd be back in time for a neighbor's Mem Day party, and she said, "Hmmmm.  Maybe I'll do it, too.  Even though I haven't ridden my bike since our first tri three years ago - and haven't really swum since then, either.  I need a race." 

And THAT is why it's been a happy couple decades (plus) together.  She always keeps me guessing.

Matt

I must have Chinese copper in my knees and back...

Matt

I had to replace my HVAC unit last November.  In fact, it went out 2 days after my surgery and on a Sunday.  Owner of the business came out Monday, we decided on a unit that he said would be installed the next day.  Nothing was written up (and I call myself an attorney), but the workers showed up bright and early Tuesday morning.  I let them in and then headed off for my Dr's visit.  When I came back everyone was hard at work.  A couple of hours later, the owner shows up and informs me that they put in a 1/2 ton larger unit b/c he wouldn't have been able to get the unit we discussed in for a couple of days and he knew I needed the A/C (yes, A/C in November).  Thankfully, that size was appropriate for my house too.  Before I had a chance to say anything he added that it was, of course, the same price!  Never once did we sign any paperwork, I never gave him a deposit and he made the upgrade decision without calling me.  Weirdest business transaction I've ever had, but it worked out well for me.   Of course, it also tells me that the mark up on these things is quite large!!

In your defense, you probably were on drugs at the time.  Thankfully, it all worked out in the end!

So... I saw in Jen's log that she is having problems with some older shoes that are not nearly maxed out on mileage.  I also saw that NancySteve gets older model shoes (new but older model) off of eBay. These two situation triggered something that I think that I read a few years ago -- the EVA foam in shoes has a shelf life, not just a mileage life.  Is that true?

OK, I'll Google it and get a head start on the conversation.  Apparently Hal Higdon wrote something about it in a book in the 2003 or so.  Running Times seems to agree, although they said that perhaps they deteriorate a bit more slowly that was suggested in the book. 

I really have no idea but thought that I'd toss it out there.

First I disagree with the authors "move on and find something better" attitude. Finding a new pair of shoes is a paid in the azz for some of us.

I tend to stock up on faves and have never had the later pairs act any different than the ones I used earlier. However, I don't think I've ever had them sit on the shelf more than a few months. Certainly not two years.

Ehhhhhhh I would imagine it is true. But I'll bet the shelf life is long enough that it's a non-issue for most people.

Shoe wear/longevity is much more about the individual and how they run. 

Sa-Weet!!!! I'm in every day until I win. I apologize up front to those that follow me on IG

I'd bet weight/stress on the shoe plays a part. You mentioned 800 miles on a pair earlier and I thought my nearly 500 was pretty good. I'm betting my 220 lbs+heelstriking = some wear on my shoes.

Originally posted by Jet Black

Originally posted by cdban66

Originally posted by jmkizer

Another PSA, this time @Chris

Balega Comfort Challenge

Attention Balega fans: Just passing along this opportunity from one of our favorite sock brands.

From May 15 through June 15, post photos illustrating the comfort of Balega socks to Instagram, along with the hashtag #BalegaComfortChallenge for the chance to win a free pair. Balega will be picking one winner per day!

Sa-Weet!!!! I'm in every day until I win. I apologize up front to those that follow me on IG

Just a small request, please don't post to instagram within the time window of a workout so that it shows up on strava.

I can't promise that, I am a cross posting fool 

I like to use my social media for different things...cross posting is somewhat rare for me.

FB is more aligned to my family and friends, instagram is more aligned with interests. 

Yep. It plays a huge role. 

I'm the same way. Rarely post about running/tri on FB. Of course, I rarely post anything on FB.

Okay i suppose this is short notice and we may have to wait till next year but THIS is the Manatee meetup in Colorado!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by cdban66

Originally posted by Jet Black

Originally posted by cdban66

Originally posted by jmkizer

Another PSA, this time @Chris

Balega Comfort Challenge

Attention Balega fans: Just passing along this opportunity from one of our favorite sock brands.

From May 15 through June 15, post photos illustrating the comfort of Balega socks to Instagram, along with the hashtag #BalegaComfortChallenge for the chance to win a free pair. Balega will be picking one winner per day!

Sa-Weet!!!! I'm in every day until I win. I apologize up front to those that follow me on IG

Just a small request, please don't post to instagram within the time window of a workout so that it shows up on strava.

I can't promise that, I am a cross posting fool 

 

Between Toms and this one there are going to be a lot of feet on IG here pretty soon

For added incentive, I'll even donate my beer to somebody else.  I can't stand the stuff. (Please don't banish me!)

DH is trying to develop my tolerance for it by occasionally offering me sips of his.  So far, my most rousing endorsement has been, "That's not as awful as I expected."

That's funny! DH is that way with coffee... and wine. We're both good with beer

I like Oskar Blues. We went there after the Bolder Boulder the last couple years.

Just got back from an interesting talk by Steve Bosley, the founder and former RD of the Bolder Boulder.  I had no idea that that race was the first to have wave starts and an early proponent of allowing registration roll-overs if you can't do the race. 

He had some pretty funny stories to tell too.  One was about a woman who complained every year for 7 years about people taking nature breaks in her flowers.  Somebody from the race organization went to her house and offered to fence in her flowers to protect them.  She declined, however, after he told her that she had the best looking tulips on the block, and they never heard from her again!