The amazing shoe deal

So last week I went to a specialty sport store where they analyzed my foot and told me what kind of running shoes would work best for me. I am thinking that since I am not 16 anymore, and my body doesn't recover as quickly as it once did, I am willing to invest a little more in a good pair of shoes. Of course being at this particular store, the shoes cost a bit more than I was willing to spend. The model that they told me would be the best was $89.95. I asked them to hold them for me so that I could look around. I then went to Dick's Sporting Goods to check out the shoe selection there. They had the exact same model on sale there for $74.99. I thought this was a bit better, but still wanted to see if I could find a better deal. So already being right there, I figured I would just run in to Shoe Carnival. I was very pleasantly surprised to see the same model once again, but here they were only $65.00. I was pretty proud of myself at this point for holding out for the deal. At Shoe Carnival shoes are always buy one get one half off, and since I have been needing a new pair of black shoes for work, I decided to browse around a bit to see if I could go ahead and get them half off. As I was looking through the clearance section there were what appeared to be the exact running shoes I was holding in my hand. I picked them up and looked them over-it turns out they were the exact model...just last year's model-and they were on clearance for $35.00! I found a pair of black shoes for 29.99 and headed to the check out where the cashier informed me that all clearance shoes are now $5 off clearance price. So, I left Shoe Carnival with the two pair of shoes for about $45.00 plus tax. That means essentially my $89.95 shoes were purchased for $22.50. Patience can pay off!!!

First team training and back in the pool!

I want to let you all know that this is not only my first triathlon, but also my first blog, so still trying to figure it all out!

I went to my first team training on Saturday morning. Found out that I am the only one from the Western North Carolina team that will be going to the Capital Texas Triathlon this year. It's kind of sad, but we meet up with other area teams to travel, so that will be cool. I met a couple of the people I will be training often with-other triathlon athletes. We ran at Country Park. I never knew there were such nice trails there. I am really excited to run some more miles there. We will be having our first swim training on Friday evening.

I got to swim at the y yesterday. Got there later than I had planned after I tutored, but was lucky...no swim team practice! I had the whole pool to myself for the most part. I swam several laps, but I always lose count of them...need to work on that one. It felt good to get back into the pool. The swimming is the part I am the most concerned about for the triathlon. I don't think I really have any concept of what it is like to swim a mile in open water. I guess I will learn soon!

The beginning

So I took the first step on Tuesday-joined the Y. I was really excited to learn that the YMCA now offers a metro pass so I can go to any Y in Greensboro with my membership. I then took the next step on Wednesday. I actually ran on the track. 3 miles. I got a training schedule from my tri trainer earlier in the week and that was the recommended mileage, so I bit the bullet and went for the ten long laps around the indoor track. It was not nearly as bad as I expected. This is when I discovered that I am still a runner! On Thursday I went with the intention of jogging a mile warm up before hitting the bike. When I got there the rtun was feeling great, so I went ahead and did two miles. Then I made another amazing discovery-the Bryan Family Y has these sweet bikes with screens where you can ride a tour and it is like you are playing a video game...racing against other bikers and twisting and turning, going up hills and on trails. I was pretty excited about that. This evening I was supposed to be swimming but there was a city wide swim meet taking place at the Y, so I opted for a nice run outside since the weather has warmed up. I forgot how much I enjoy running along the side of the road and taking in the surroundings. In the morning I will meet many people on the team and run with a group for the first time in eight years...seems impossible that it has been that long. I am really looking forward to networking with a whole new group of people and being able to motivate, as well as be motivated on this journey.