Going Long, 2nd Edition

First of all, Tri Sport Running & Walking 11919 NE Halsey, is going out of business (30% off shoes and apparel!). Its next door neighbor, a tri bike store, went out of business last summer. You would think the two would have worked together or combined business in some way, but I think I've heard there is a weird, "this town ain't big enough for the two of us" kind of story behind that.

I've been in the tri store a few times. The last time, which was a while ago, I walked in and there was country music blaring and a late-middle aged woman behind the counter who did not look like someone into walking out to get the mail, let alone swim bike or runs (I know, my prejuduces are showing). As I was browsing the store, she kept bugging me about whether I needed assistance. Store clerks are like cops, they're never there when you need them, but they always find your car when the meter has run out.

So it came as no surprise to me when I saw the going out of business sale, 30% off running shoes. I went in and two small children, country music and the same woman had all confluenced themselves around the cash register. I went and started pulling shoe boxes in my size down and this pesty store clerk started telling me all about the shoes. Look, shoes are shoes and the rest is marketing and cheap Chinese labor. I try them on, if they feel good I buy them. But on the one point this person could have been helpful, she shot me down. I found a pair I liked and said, "So do you mind if I run around the parking lot to try these out?"

"No, she responded, "I had a customer refuse to buy shoes from me because he said he wouldn't buy a used pair of shoes."

Which brings me to the point. On page 50 of the excellent 2nd edition of Going Long, and I quote, "Be sure to got to a running specialty store where the salespeople are runners themselves. A good running store-not your average chain store-will let you run outside in the shoes to see how they feel."

And I actually recalled that very line when this woman said that to me. But what's the point in arguing, it's fairly obvious why she's going out of business. So I rewarded her by buying two pairs of shoes, saving $60!

As to the book, "Going Long," I must say that the changes are a significant improvement. The actual size of the book is increased and the cover is improved. Other than the superficial changes, without going back and looking at the first edition and the second side by side, my sense is that the second edition has been cut down and simplified. The one thing I don't like is there aren't as many training plans, but I've got "Championship Triathlon Training" to cover that.

I am beginning the exercise once again of planning next year's training. I think it may be my favorite part of triathlon.

In the very early stages I'm planning on doing a half-iron in June, another half in August or September and then the full in Vegas in early November. Then we're looking at possibly going to New Zealand in March and I say what's the sense in going all that way and not doing the ironman? That would be 2011. We've certainly become quite the vacation planners.

Also, and I realize this post is all over the place, today was the first day on my Seattle Marathon training, which is November 29. I took about a 40 minute "Zone 1" jog. That will be my "long" run for the week.

I got my hotel booked as well-$70 a night at Travel Lodge-come on! Unless it's got roaches and extremely unwashed sheets, this place is going to be perfect, a half mile from the Space Needle, which is where the race ends. Though a half mile after 26 miles is a long way, still might need a taxi.