Proud Daddy stories, training and of course...product reviews!

So, being a Dad is pretty cool. I have come to the conclusion that your kids will do just about anything that you tell them to and will try to do some things that you do. Recently my daughter has decided to inform people, some random, some not, that I am an Ironman. Despite what my wife thinks, I have never told her to do this. I have a small Ironman tattoo on my wrist, but other than that, I never really mention it outside of my wife and training partners (who did the race with me). Well the other day, my daughter and I were riding bikes and she said that when she got older, she was going to be an Ironman like me...watch out Chrissy! I felt a little emotional:) Now there are things that I do try to get my daughter to do and say for a good laugh. Among other things, she now can do the sprinkler dance move, sing numerous Black Eyed Pea songs on the karaoke machine, and eve tells me "peace out" when I drop her off at daycare in the morning (complete with a fist pound followed by an explosion of course). Well, the newest thing she does now is to tell people that the party doesn't start until she walks in (yes the line from the Ke$ha song). Such a proud dad:) Around the beginning of May, I will have another young mind to mold, when our second daughter arrives.

This weekend has been a pretty good training weekend. The weather has finally gotten above 50 so I did a 30 mile ride Saturday followed by a 10 mile run today. Only 7 weeks until 70.3 New Orleans and I am starting to get excited about it. I am treating this as a "fun race"and not my A race (that will be Cedar Point). I am entering the race with my brother and this will be his first long distance tri, so it should be a good time.

Now to the product reviews. I received some products from the good people at SBR Sports, Inc., who manufacture Tri-Swim hair and skin care, Tri-Slide and Foggle. The hair and skin care are awesome. I no longer have to carry around kids chlorine shampoo in the locker room, thus receiving some strange stares. The products do every thing they claim and remove the wonderful smell of chlorine (not to mention the poison that it is). Their products in the Ti-Swim line include shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. Recommend it all! But the two products that are my favorite are Tri-Slide and Foggle. Tri-Slide is a spray on anti chafe skin lubricant. Think of body glide in a spray. The stuff is AWESOME! I tried some on my run today by putting it on my feet (have had some hot spots on a few toes lately) and on my nipples (yes I said nipples...it isn't a fetish, just that some of my long sleeve shirts are a bit loose and tend to rub me raw). The Tri Slide worked flawlessly. Foggle has become another favorite. It is an anti fog wipe. No more leaking anti-fog in my gym bag...YEAH! I tried it the other day on my goggles (which claim to be fog proof....FAIL) and lasted the entire swim (1600 meters) with clear goggles. The good thing about the wipes is that you can reuse them. Simply store them in a zip lock bag, and a wipe can be reused about 5 times. If any one is having problems with foggy goggles, pleas give these things a try. Thanks SBR Sports, Inc. Your stuff rocks!



A final random note....I can't wait for Ludacris new album release. How Low has been a recent favorite during training runs, so I am looking forward to see what the remainder of the album is like. That is all. Train hard and have fun!

Shoe review...

First, training has had its ups and downs lately. Two weeks ago, I felt like I was catching a groove on my running. Felt good most runs and was actually posting some faster times. Then last week, I got some sort of stomach virus along with a 102 degree temperature and since then I have been struggling mightily. Rode a somewhat hilly (at least for my area) 32 mile loop and STRUGGLED! Legs felt like they were never there and even though we only rode for about 1.5 hours, I had crazy amounts of salt build up all over my face and body. I also was wiped out later that night as well as today. Not normal:( Hope it is temporary...New Orleans is only about 8 weeks away.

Now to the review. I received a pair of Saucony Pro Grid Paramount 2's as part of Team Trakkers. Before these shoes, I had been using Asic Nimbus for all of last year, including Ironman Louisville. They HAD been my favorite shoes. The Paramount 2's have now surpassed the Nimbus on my shoe scale. It feels light while still providing plenty of stability. The way the shoe is constructed, it almost forces a very efficient heel to forefoot transfer. I haven't even been using my custom sole inserts. Without having any engineering prowess, it almost is as if the shoe cups your heel with support, while giving the front part of your foot the freedom to relax. Hopes this makes since:) The shoe also comes with what the saucony.com website describes as comforttemp, which regulates the temperature of the shoe. In other words, it keeps your foot warm during the cold runs and cool during the hot runs. The upper par if the shoe is mesh while the insert has a few small holes in it to regulate temperature and provide some air flow. All of this and the shoe looks good too! Great job Saucony! You have converted me from my previous brand loyalty. I say this not because they are a sponsor, but as someone that will pay full price for their product in the future.

In the coming week, I will also be reviewing the First Endurance multi vitamin and my Tri-Swim products. Stay tuned......

Training and goodies!

First things first....the training is going well. I am about t-minus 12 weeks until Ironman 70.3 New Orleans. This won't be my a race this year, so I am not amping up the training like I will for Cedar Point in September. Right now and am on the trainer about 4 times a week (45-60 minutes at a time), running about 3 times a week, and swimming once a week (looking to ramp that up to 2-3 times a week once I get to the 8 week mark). On the weekends, when weather allows, I try to get in 1 longer bike and 1 longer run. So all in all, I feel like I am right on track.

Now to the goodies! As part of Team Trakkers, I have the opportunity to try out products from various sponsors. Two of the products I just received are some Saucony running shoes and a multi vitamin and Optygen HP from First Endurance.

The Saucony's are the Pro Grid Paramount 2s. I just received them today and my initial impression is the look and feel great. I will be testing them out shortly and by the time I write my next blog, I will have some additional feedback. Out of the box, the seem very comparable to my previous par of shoes which were Asic Nimbus. Without having any stats in front of me, they feel lighter on my foot. The Paramounts also seem like they provide a bit more support. For those that care, they also look "spiffy". They are mainly white with some blue and black accent. More on the performance to come. Check them out at www.Saucony.com!

The second product I just received is a multi vitamin from First Endurance. I don't normally train via times or stats, so any feedback I provide in the future will be based on how I feel during training and races. I am hoping to see the training to become easier at the same perceived exertion level as I have been training. Go to www.firstendurance.com and check them out. Lots of good testimonials from some high level athletes (Team Astana and Team HTC just to name a couple). I also received some of their Optygen HP which I will be trying in the near future. This product is supposed to increase your oxygen intake which increases performance. Once I start it I will also be updating for this product.

I am looking forward to trying the products and seeing what improvements they will provide. Off to the trainer! Have fun and train safe.

Josh