Thursday, January 27, 2011

Run Famous

Well, I have had a great...and I mean GREAT week of training.  It has all been on the treadmill with some stretching and foam rollering, but it has been awesome. 

All of it has led me to believe that I am going to have a good, fun race.  I'm not looking to set any records with this one - we're just doing the HALF for fun.  Additionally, it is going to be a great guy's weekend in Miami. 

I'll write a race report when I get back.  Wish me luck.  Also, I'm thinking about running with a camera - just to capture some pics of us as we go - especially since we're just running for fun.  Any thoughts?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The 8th Wonder of the World - Balega Running Socks

For Christmas, my niece and nephew gave me an endurance basket.  It was AWESOME.  It included a number of CLIF BAR bars, CLIF SHOT BLOKS, an iTunes Gift Card (for days at the gym) and a pair of the most perfect running socks in the world - I'm calling them the 8th Wonder of the World.

My friends, let me introduce you Balega.  Balega is a Zulu word with no literal translation...but it means “to move with speed.”  According to their website, the company is dedicated to:
  • Performance
  • Excellence
  • Harmony
  • Creativity
  • Community
There is really no way to know if this true.  What I do know, though, is that on my latest run, my feet felt like they were in heaven.  The specific pair I received is from Balega's Hidden Comfort line.  Comfort was far from hidden on my first run.  I had no moisture issues, no bunching, no nonsense.  Just a perfect cushioned run while making me feel like I was running sockless.  I wear Newton's and do a number of my runs sockless, so you can imagine how I sometimes fight my running socks. 

One of the coolest design features with the Hidden Comfort is the tab at the heel that keeps the sock from slipping.  It is so incredibly soft, yet so inconspicuous.  As for the rest of the design, there is some light padding on the sole and a very thin, yet soft mesh on the top helping with the breathability.  The sock is so light, you'll never know it is there.

Highly Recommend! 



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Don't call it a comeback...or do, cause it is!

Hello, Reckless Abandon...hello, friends.  It has been awhile.  I have come to find out, modifying a quote from Fat Bastard..."The more I train, the more I post to the blog.  The more I post to the blog, the more I train."  This being oh so true, one can deduce that I haven't been training much.  The truth is, I haven't.  I have been sick, I have been unmotivated, I have 1,001 excuses - and no one cares.  Especially me.  It is my responsibility to take care of myself.  It is my responsibility to set goals, devise a strategy on how I am going to meet those goals and then do it. 
Today is the second day in a row that I have gone to the gym.  I am trying to make sure that I still have some ability to run - the ING Miami Half isn't going to run itself.  Happy about this accomplishment, I know it is no great shakes and that I have a long hill to climb to know that I won't backslide again.
I'm posting this here and now because I feel that now there is some accountability to my action or inaction.
It is cheesy, but I just laid the gauntlet down on myself.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Winner - Trizophrenia

Well, the first giveaway ever on Reckless Abandon is over.  Congratulations, Allison from Just Tri and Finish.

You are the proud new owner of a previously read copy of Trizophrenia.  It is a great read.  I'll shoot you an email shortly and we'll get it all sorted out so you'll be off and reading in no time.

Just so you know, I'm not as cool as Kovas over at Midwest Multisport Life, the book is just the book - no Mallett signature surprise inside.

I really do hope you enjoy it and that you can pass it on when you're finished.

Best!

Monday, January 3, 2011

A Happy New Year Giveaway!

Happy New Year!  Here's to a year full of hard work, lots of training and, ultimately, success!  I had a wonderful 2010 and am looking forward to a 2011 that may or may not be more relaxed - who knows?  I still haven't figured out what/where I'm going to race and whether or not I'm going to tackle the iron distance again this year ... whatever it is that is decided, I know that I'm going to make sure to keep having fun.

To make sure that your 2011 starts off fun and entertaining, I would like to give away my previously read copy of Trizophrenia.  This was a gift to me and, now that I've read and laughed with it, I'd like to pass it on to you. 

The requirement is simple - post a comment, tweet and/or include a link on your own blog.  Each will result in an entry.  This giveaway runs through end of day ET, January 6th, 2011.  The winner will be chosen through random.org.

Oh yeah, for the winner - it would be cool if you passed it on when you finished.