Friday, February 16, 2007

Mizuno Nike New Balance and Triathlon


Just purchased a pair of Mizuno Wave Aero 5 shoes for training. In Taipei they are going for half the price you can buy them in Japan. So, I got them at under US$50. I was a bit surprised. When I went to the store I was going to buy a pair of Ascis Gel-Kayano 13, but they wanted more money then I had to spend. However, you can get a much better price on them here in Taipei than in the USA (US$100 to 115 price range). Funny thing is I originally went to get shoes at New Balance. My whole purpose of going shopping was to buy New Balance shoes (1061, 901 or 1222). I researched New Balance on the web for a a bit to pick the shoes I wanted to try. I get to the store and they only had wide shoes. I went to a New Balance store that has 100's of shoes showing and they only had the 901's in a size that would fit (9 1/2 2E or maybe narrower). And they wanted more for the 901's then they were worth (even with discount). Sadly, I left the New Balance store. That is when my Ascis and Mizuno search started.

I liked my last pair of Mizuno Wave shoes and felt I should look at them again. Plus Mizuno here normally has very good pricing as I mentioned.

At Christmas I got a pair of Nike Zoom Katana Cage II. I like these shoes. I was not a Nike running shoe fan before, but these are nice racing shoes for me. I will mostly use these Nike's a week before a race and race day. I expect I will have these for two years and hit at least a half or full marathon with them this year.

My running has been going well. I get out every other day and run more time then actual distance. I typically make a 40 to 60 minute run depending on my speed and feeling for that day (long run would be 90 minutes 2 times a month). My races have been no more than 10K. I figured I should be running longer than a year before attempting a half or full marathon. Started running again in July 2006.

Now I have a bug to complete a triathlon. I always wanted to do one, even when I was in high school and in better shape. But I just never stepped up to the plate. I am thinking this year or early next year I will try a triathlon. I will be fine on the biking and running, but I must admit I am a bit scared of the swimming. I have only swam once when I was a kid a long distance (Tommy Olberding, do you remember swimming across the river in Wisconsin?). Luckily, my wife and a co-worker have some swimming experience, so I can get some tips and help. All I need to do is 1.5K in less than 50 minutes. I know to complete this event I would need a good 4 months in the pool so that I can build up my swimming. If I can make the swimming portion I can push my way through the biking (40K) and running (10K).

So, now I need to think about marathon and triathlon. Do both or just one? It would be the first for me either way? Maybe do both in the next year and a half?

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

UPS using Postal Service - and Chicken Shots

FUNNY stuff that UPS is using Postal Service music in their new ads. SWEET. .....

Now to try these New Cheetos Popcorn Chicken Shots. Opening package. Taste like Cheetos with a horrible aftertaste. Not the worst $0.29 I have ever spent, but the last 29 cents I spend on Chicken Shots. The smell of the opened package is beginning to whiff around - not a pleasant smell. Co-workers are now looking with strange looks. Better shoot these down and toss the bag. Gonna need a strong coffee to get rid of this Cheeto Popcorn Chicken Shots...... later

Monday, February 12, 2007

Pennies and Dollars

Get rid of the pennies. Use dollar coins. Get used to the $2 bill.