I used to like shoe shopping

I decided to go shoe shopping on Tuesday for a new pair of cross trainers since my schedule states that I should be in the gym lifting weights.  All I really have is running shoes. Based upon some recommendations from Jen I started my quest. We think that some of the foot issues I have are from trying to weight lift and do lateral movements in my running shoes.  Thus we wanted something with more stability.  She was awesome, giving me a list of 5 shoes..all of them in Badger Red (or close to it).  How hard is is to find cross trainers?  Well apparently very hard.  I called a number of running shoe places and they did not carry cross trainers at all. Then I went to Kohl's, DSW, Sports Authority, Famous Footwear, Off Broadway.....and they either did not have any at all or one's that did not fit correctly.

I finally stopped at Dick's and found a pair of Reebok Real Flex transitions.

They only had a size 14..and the damn things fit.  How did my feet get so huge?  They must be spreading from the weight they have had to support over the years.  Anyway, the whole purchasing experience made me feel less than stellar and a little long in the tooth.  First of all a little 20 year old sales girl bounds over to help.  She saw me staring at the wall of shoes and asked if I was looking for walking shoes?  What the heck!!  Where did that assumption come from?  It may have been the fact that I have not shaved my head again thus the grey was showing..or the fact that I had to put reading glasses on to try and find the sku numbers on the price tags..but do I really look that old/out of shape?

I explained to her I was looking for specific styles of cross trainers.  She then picked out a pair of all white tennis shoes. (Yeah..I just wrote "tennis" shoes).  I then tried to explain to her that I was going to actually "cross train"..you know..run..weight lift..etc.  So she finally picked up a pair of crossfit shoes and proceeded to tell me about crossfit.  I told her that I knew what crossfit was and had actually done it for a few months.  Apparently this did not register..or more likely she didn't believe me and continued her explanation. 

So I tried the the crossfit shoes on as well as the Real Flex.. I was torn because they were so different but both fit very well..so I decided to call Jen to see what she recommended.  I took out my phone to call and ended up going through 5 screens on my smart phone just to find the phone app.  The salesgirl than said..."My dad had to dumb down his phone so he could figure out how to operate it."  At that point I did not know whether to laugh or beat her with a shoe box.  Fortunately for her this was the only place in town that had the shoes I needed..so I refrained from the beating. 

I paid for my purchase and saw a good looking woman my age coming to the door as I was exiting.  She stopped and held the door open for me..I thanked her..wondering why she held the door open..and she said.."no problem sir."    I would have stopped to ask her why she said that..but was late for my optometrist appointment.  The good news is that my bifocals are too strong and thus the new prescription was actually weakened.  The bad news is that I wear bifocals.

After the eye doctor appointment I headed home sat on  the davenport, grabbed the clicker...and turned on the t.v..  Of course Kristine had it tuned to the Hallmark channel and the first thing I see is Murder She Wrote.  Obviously the Universe is trying to tell me something.  Maybe its..use your shoes boy and get off the davenport!!  

New Coach for Team Abekat Anarchy

OK..So I won't do the Rev 3 adventure race in Wyoming.  I would have to make it my "A" race and also try to get another 24 hour race in before July.  However it is obviously something that I need to put on my bucket list and I have no excuses for not training for it.  Being in Golden I have places to rock climb, mountain bike, and paddle within 30 minutes of the house, 

So I am still trying to figure out what to do as far as races.  There are a number of variables I am still waiting on to determine what I am going to do.  Depending on those variables I may target St. George Utah 70.3 in early May 2013 or Rev 3 Knoxville at the same time as my big early season race.  Both would be destination races but something that could be done in a long weekend.  The nice thing about the Rev 3 race is that I would have a choice between the Olympic and Half distances depending on training.

Speaking of training, I jacked up my foot again about a week ago.  Same tendon issues I had when I started weight training about a month ago.  Thus I have not been running but lifting instead.  I am actually liking the lifting and am hoping to see some strength gains soon. I know.. I will probably be burned at the stake for heresy...but I think my Newtons may be part of the issue.  Going to run in something other than the Newtons and see how that works out.

My diet has been "OK". Lots of room for improvement..but better than it used to be. The goal for this week is very simple.  Clean breakfast..either eggs with veggies or a smoothie with spinach and protein.  Clean lunch..sandwich with veggies or salad with protein.  Simple.  Let's see if I can do it for five days.  (OH Crap..I forgot abut Halloween..)

Speaking of training, my wife has been doing awesome.  I don't think she has missed a day of scheduled training in 5 weeks.  Saturday she got up early and braved the cold to get an outdoor ride in on her bike.  Sunday she got out of a warm bed to go to her running club.

K in the morning before her run..too happy.

I wish I had her dedication to getting up in the morning on her day off and getting her exercise in.  I am beginning to think she may just want to get up and out of the house while I am still sleeping and thus not have to deal with me in the morning...but that can't possibly be true.

And another big announcement. I am no longer being coached by Sonja Weick. She did an awesome job for me last year..especially with all of the injuries I had.  However, she has decided to cut the number of athletes she has down.  Thus I have entered into an unholy alliance with Maine Jen...Yes...That girl...

Jen and I click on a number of levels and she is not afraid to call me up and kick my ass in regard to training, nutrition or letting my hair get too long.  She is also one of the few people in this world tat appreciates my sense of humor.  And although I kid around a lot about her she is an amazing athlete and has made HUGE strides in the last few years getting to where she is at.  We also have decided to do Cedar Point together...ok.... We will start the race together and she will finish 3 hours before me...but at least we will be at the same venue.  And heck..I may be able to convince her to be my adventure race buddy in the future.  So Jen is now an official member and coach of team Abekat Anarchy!  I'll still b seeking advice from the people in the know about nutrition and swimming and a hundred other things..and I see 2013 as my breakout year.  (And maybe the year I am actually in the 100s again.)

Now if she would just stop calling my beloved University of Wisconsin peeps "Beavers".

Hope everyone has a great week!! And to all my friends on the east coast..including Connecticut, Maine and Jersey Jens and their families...please stay safe and dry!!

REV 3 Adventure Race - Wyoming

I was just looking at races to fill next years schedule and came upon this on the Rev 3 website.The Cowboy Tough Adventure Race.  Check this out..3.5 days of adventure racing through beautiful Wyoming.  It includes paddling, mountain biking, trekking and other various skills. It starts on July 18 and goes through the July 21st.

I know..I already have Rev 3 Cedar Point as my "A" race next year..but an adventure race!! It is also a team event (2 or 4 person) which would be awesome.  However, I would have to find somebody dumb enough to do it with me.  That person would also need to be able to stand the sight and sound of me for 3.5  days..so that leaves my wife out.  I'm wondering what Jen Small is doing that weekend?  And I would have to get a ton of mountain bike riding in..something I have forgotten how to do since I started this triathlon stuff.

Doesn't this look much more fun then being in aero position?

Of course, if I did find someone to sign up with me the pressure on me to train would be that much greater since I would not want to let them down...and I would have a reason to buy the new 29er I have been looking at.

Gary Fisher Superfly..woo hoo!!

I already know that Rev 3 puts on a great race, Wyoming is a very drivable distance for us, and the date is perfect..being about 7 weeks before the Full Rev in September.  I'm going to have to think about this. 

An adventure race is definitely on my bucket list of things to do.  And I only have a limited amount of time to do one.  Yep..I am already wearing bifocals as of last year and my depth perception is totally gone.  Mountain biking takes on a whole new feel when you have no clue how far the drop off in front of you actually is. 

If any of my friends out there wants to do this race..even if it is without me..let me know and maybe I could help set you up with transportation, lodging, support etc..

Hope everyone is having a safe halloween weekend..  And stay away from that candy!!! I don't know which I love more..kit kats, almond joy or peanut butter cups.

From Fat To Finish Line

 Hello Everyone! I hope you are all enjoying this fall weather, the beautiful colors (In Colorado it is "color" yellow) and college football.  This is a great time to run and bike..except for the fact it is too dark out once I get home from work to do either.

As most of you know I met some people while I was in Maine doing my race that are producing a documentary film based on twelve people who have lost a bunch of weight and are now poised to do a Ragnar Relay from Miami to Key West together in January of this year.  The running relay is over 200 miles in two days.  The film introduces you to the people running, discusses their stories dealing with weight loss and will follow their race.

The main people behind the film..Angela and Jen (New Jersey Jen)..are wonderful people.  Further, My friend Jen(Maine Jen) from milesmusclesmommyhood.com is one of the featured people.  New Jersey Jen is also in the film and you can find out more about her and her weight loss journey HERE.

Below are pictures of some of the runners from competitions that they just did today.  By the way..A HUGE shout out to Maine Jen who competed her first marathon today in 4:15..awesome job Jen..Especially considering that a few short years ago she was not at what we would call a healthy weight.

The long and the short of it is that I can relate to the people in the film and the struggles that they went through and continue to go through to live healthy lives.  The team captain is even a Badger from the great state of Wisconsin.

The film is looking for contributions to make it a reality. Most of the preliminary work and interviews have been completed but there is a long way to go to complete the project.  The film originally looked for funding on kickstarter but the goal was not met and so the film did not get any of the contributions and none of the contributors were charged.They have now changed their funding to the link I have below..and they will get the contributions whether or not their goal is met.  So I am asking that if any of you have a few dollars to spare to think about contributing to the film. Of course if you contribute you will get perks and rewards depending on the size of the contribution. Everything from t-shirts to a DVD of the movie with special extras to an Executive Producer Credit if you come up with the big bucks.

Click on this link for more information..From Fat To Finish Line.    

 Click Here to Contribute!

Of course..everyone is waiting until the last minute to contribute so please make your contributions within the next 48 hours if you are going to do so.

Although the film will be incredibly inspirational..the real reason to support it is that my daughter may have a cameo appearance.  I think they will be pretty good at cutting my ugly mug out so you do not have to worry about that.  Also, just think about what it is going to be like for these people to be stuck in a van with Jen from milesmusclesmommyhood for two straight days during the race in order to complete the film.  Now that is devotion to a cause.

Thanks..and email me directly or post a comment if you have any questions regarding the film.