Gotta Be the Shoes

What a great morning for a mountain bike ride up in Ringwood, New Jersey. 60 degrees to start and sunny. I added some new parts to the bike including a Cannondale Lefty fork on the front so I was looking forward to it. But check out those shoes! Is it time to break down and get a new pair? I would say so since mid-way through the ride, the cleat on my left shoe ripped right out of the plastic sole on the bottom of the shoe. I was ready to head back via a fire road while my friends pushed on over some of the sweetest, technical single track Ringwood has to offer. But they wouldn't let me. And that's what friends are for, right?!

Well, we fixed the shoe as best we could. I was able to ride the rest of the trails out although the left foot kept slipping out of the pedal. Not so much fun when you are riding over some rough rocks and roots but it worked. Now it's time to break down and get a new pair. I can't tell you how long I've had these. I mean, it's crazy how long I've had them. That's a testament to the find product that Diadora makes. I wouldn't hesitate to but the same model. But I think they are out of print so to say.

Anyway, I owe it to my friend's to buy a new pair.

No Eagleman in 2010

Next Saturday I will do something that I haven't done in 8 years: stay home. This is Eagleman weekend and the boys and I will not be heading south to Maryland to compete. I feel a sort of sadness but, let's face it, it's a tough race. And I deliberately took this year off in terms of entering the long races: no Ironman and no half-Ironman. I have no sprint races scheduled either but we'll see. The only problem is that I haven't been in the pool since last July. And I don't see my self going there any time soon.

Eagleman is a great race and I have certainly stated this before. But the conditions can be very challenging. It's usually hot, windy and the current in the river can be rough. One year there were 3 foot wakes. No joke. You have to come into this race well trained. Otherwise it will be a very long and depressing day. This race rarely gives you any breaks and will punish those who treat it lightly.

Yeah, I'll be sad next Saturday but hey, I'll be relieved as well.