New to the forum and the sport

[Leanne]

So, I'm new to this forum and my husband and I are new to the sport of triathlon (and running) so I will sing his praises!

In 2005, after suffering from some minor health issues, he decided it was time for a change. He quit smoking, we joined a gym, he completed a home exercise program and three years and almost 50lbs lighter he competed in his first triathlon. He had to overcome his fear of water and teach himself to swim, had to start slow with the running due to an old soccer knee injury and had to find the time to train with a family and a long hours full time job. With all that, he finished in 50:11, 25th overall and 5th in his age group. He has also been running in various 10k races throught the fall and winter to keep himself motivated and is always increasing his run time. (49:19 for a 10K in October, then 45:41 for another in November)

We recently were into Tri and Run Sports to get him a new pair of shoes, and Sandy had some great tips regarding some pain and discomfort he was having and he is still going strong.

So thank you Sandy, and I hope to be able to post some of great improvements for his season next year!!!
Cheers,
Leanne

[chattyfeet]

Keep singing his praises!!!  He should be very, very proud...and he is an inspiration to those who think they "can't do it".  That is, change their lives, take up exercise, start running, lose weight...whatever they have an excuse for.

I too quit smoking, albeit 13 years ago.  It's tough...unless you've ever smoked you can never understand the addiction and how strong it is.  Unfortunately I find the smoking was way more addictive than the exercise, no matter how much I get into the exercising!  And the smoking was easier....but the aftereffects were not!!!!

Keep up the good work and whenever you feel you've lost your motivation, just write a line here and you'll get lots of inspiration!

[SNOWRUNNER]

Pretty awesome story Leanne. Many of us have been there.. if you collectively accumulate all of the experiences found in everyone on this site i think that you would discover everything that you could possibly think of has  , at one time been done. On this site your never alone.
 I quit smoking 8 yrs ago after a 20 yr nasty habit. Good riddens, never looked back. I ran in the past , but like a lot of people, you have to go full circle at some things.
 Your info tells that your from Castleton.. cool.. i know it well. In the past i drove my UPS truck in your town on a daily basis. I have been in Cobourg for the last 10 yrs tho.
         welcome to you and the MR... will we ever see you out for a run??
                    Dave..

[Leanne]

Thanks Dave. I love the stories I hear about people overcoming odds or difficult circumstances. It reminds me that I really don't have it that bad, and to suck it up, princess!!!
I actually work in Cobourg, but I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this winter running thing. Running at home this time of year is out of the question. They barely plow enough for cars to be on the road, nevermind crazy winter runners. And there's no way I can afford a winter shoe and a summer shoe so I have a feeling a good chunk of the snowy days will be spent on a treadmill at the Y. It's too bad really. I started on a treadmill and was insistent that I would NEVER run outside. Now, I hate the thought of going back to a treadmill!! Perhaps you can suggest something to tackle the icy sidewalks that doesn't involve another super expensive pair of shoes??   

[SNOWRUNNER]

Well mmmm..ok
 up until last year i always ran in my road shoes in the winter. Never had a problem. But i have been caught  in the freezing rain while out. No matter what you have on your feet, nothing will help you there...maybe a pair of yak tracks ( sandy may have them in her store ) they will fit on your shoes for traction. And i also have known people to screw 1/8 inch sheet metal screws in the bottoms of their shoes.apparently it works, although i have never tried them. You really have better traction then you think. Unlike many winter boots, runners have softer rubber, thus not freezing. Summer tires will freeze but winter tires wont , thus maintaining traction. Your shoes are like winter tires. I use GORTEX trail shoes. Sandy has sold a lot of them. They are warm and water proof. Every runner has had the " splash puddle " thing in the winter... ewww!!.. but GORTEX will abate this problem.
 
 I also have a treadmill.. awesome.. use it for speed work as well as bad weather running. I like winter running, don`t get me wrong but my vision is poor so i`m safer inside at times.
 so basically you have choices here. The main thing is to keep running. screws in your shoes, yak tracks or treadmill.. no matter , just keep  running.
  Thier may be a full proof way of winter running, ha.. but i don`t know it.
    happy runnings , Dave.

[chattyfeet]

I have been running for 13 years and run outside all winter, and have never owned a pair of "winter" runnign shoes.  I too, cannot afford such a luxury.  I find my regular Asics fine in all conditions, and in 13 years I have never slipped on ice.  Now, I don't live in Cobourg BUT I find generally speaking that our winters are not so bad.  Once the plows have been out the sidewalks are usually okay.  Last winter was one HUGE exception, I ran more on a treadmill last winter than in my entire life.  But if we have an "average" winter you'll be suprised at how often you might get out.  And like Dave said, a really good pair of running shoes provide much better traction than you think!

[Leanne]

Awesome, thanks guys.    I'll let you know how it goes!!

[Paul]

 I must be missing something. Winter/trail  shoes are not a luxury if they keep you from slipping and getting hurt or pulling a muscle. We need to replace shoes every 600km. anyway so put the summer shoes in the box till spring and get a pair of trail shoes for winter. Or just run on days the roads aren't slippery. Or theirs allways that double four letter word
   TRED MILL ,hate them   give me an open road any day or night
   
                                                              Paul

[chattyfeet]

Yes Paul, you are missing something.  The fact that I am a stay at home mom with three children and absolutely no disposable income to speak of.  You don't know my financial situation at all...and I' d rather not get into it.  But for me, running shoes PERIOD are a luxury.  I have been running for 13 years in all seasons and go out in snow and rain...and I have never, ever slipped or fell, or had a torn muscle.  So yes, buying a pair of "winter" shoes, trail shoes, what have you, would be a luxury for ME right now.  We all have different situations that allow us, or dont' allow us, to do different things.  I was simply giving her some advice if in fact she cannot afford another pair of shoes right now.  Kudos to those of you who can afford two pair, I hope someday to also be "in your shoes". 

[Janet]

I have known some people who have placed duct tape over the toebox of their running shoes to help keep the cold and wet out. They see to be quite happy with the results. Otherwise my treadmill and I seem to have a love/hate relationship over the winter (only when it's cold yucky wet rain like tonight), but it serves my needs. Good luck, happy winter running!

P.s I love running in the snow when it's so cold that it  squeaks, gotta try it!

[Jane]

I think the point Paul was trying to make was if you were going to buy new shoes, to get trail shoes and use them for the winter.  And I have found that the trail shoes I have bought were actually cheaper than the running shoes.

I agree that we all have different financial circumstances.  I have also been a stay at home Mom where it was a luxury just to go to McDonald's for supper once a month.  I didn't run at that point, so didn't have to worry about the cost of running shoes.     So I know what it is like to not always be able to afford what we would like to have.  But trail shoes are kind of like the snow tires of running shoes.  They do help with traction, just like snow tires.  And IF YOU CAN AFFORD THEM, then the investment could be worth the return.  I have found the same with my Yak Trax and they don't cost nearly as much as a pair of shoes.

[April]

Leanne
 
    'Tis the season to send your family and friends to TRI AND RUN SPORTS for gift certificates. If you don't have other priorities on your wish list, you may only have to spend a few dollars of your own. Isn't gift giving about getting something for someone that they want but may not necessarily buy for themselves? Just a thought.

[tire guy]

My dearest Jane...talking snow tires,you bring a tear to my eye I am so proud of you!If that government job ever dries up you come see me I'll put you to work.
No matter what any one's finances are the bottom line is easy, road shoes,trail shoes,treadmill or street just do what you got to, with what you have.

[Jane]

My dearest Jane...talking snow tires,you bring a tear to my eye I am so proud of you!If that government job ever dries up you come see me I'll put you to work.

Hijack here -- Dennis, those snow tires you put in my car on Monday saved us a few times yesterday!!    What a terrrible, terrible driving day!  And we got out of the parking lot at the hotel in Montreal no problem at all this morning!   Everyone, I would recommend snow tires!!   OK - Unhijack!! 

[SNOWRUNNER]

I see all sides of this conversation. Some gear are essential while others may have to wait.
  I realize that shelving the roads for trail shoes in the inclimate weather can be a saver of sorts. But an additional pair of shoes can tax the pocket book , especially at this time of year. BUT.. what i do is time my shoes as close to wearout as possible whithout going over. So in the fall i am coming on in need of shoes , so i will purchase winter trails instead of new roads. I still have a few k`s left in the roads and still have the trail shoes. The roads will serve the training purpose`s  and possible a race or 2. So i try to do the timing thing and it seems to work well.
     And no .. i didn`t buy winter tires this year... i cannot afford them... sorry Denis..