A foolish consistency

Adidas 1 computerized running shoe

I just read an article / review about the Adidas 1 computerized running shoe.  Adidas spent 3 years working on this shoe, and according to the article

Avoiding injury in running comes with good mechanics.

The world’s first computerized shoes, Adidas 1, won’t teach you how to stride with the grace and economy of Abebe Bikila or Zola Budd — to name a pair of famous barefoot runners.

But this footwear actually does help. Every time the foot swings upward off the ground, the shoes adjust their cushioning to the individual wearer’s running style and pace and to changes in terrain.

Apparently the algorithm the shoe uses to control the cushioning adjustment mechanism was intentionally left out of the patent.  I presume it's better to have that as a trade secret rather than allow competitors to simply derive a similar-but-different-enough approach.

I saw a pair in the store a while back, thought them gimmicky. But this article makes me reconsider. On the other hand, running is supposed to be the "inexpensive" sport.

Ironman Arizona commitment

I decided to take the plunge and commit to doing an Ironman distance triathlon, which is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 run. For various reasons, the April 9th 2006 date of Ironman Arizona for works best for me, so that's going to be the one.

I’ve done a half-dozen sprint tris, one Olympic distance tri, and a marathon, numerous centuries on the bike, and the one-day STP. Currently I’m planning on running the Seafair Marathon in July and completing the Black Diamond half-Iron in September, plus a few cycling centuries, such as Flying Wheels in June. That will increase my overall endurance and abilities to the point where Ironman isn't laughably out of reach. Then I can spend the winter months focusing on peaking for Arizona.

I need to put together a more structured training plan than the current ad-hoc "training" I've been doing the last six months. I need to train more intelligently to avoid injury like the one I suffered last year during marathon training, and I need to have a plan to identify and overcome various limiting factors as they arise. And like everyone else, I have limited training time each week so I want to use it as effectively as possible.

I'm thinking of a personal trainer at the Pro Club that understands the needs of endurance athletes. Also, two years ago in the Masters swim class I attended I met a triathlon coach so perhaps I'll look into private coaching.

My current status for all three sports:

• I'm out of swim shape. I've swam about 4 times in the last three months, with the longest non-stop being only about 10 laps. I've focused solely on getting to where I can easily and naturally do bilateral breathing. All my prior swimming has been one-sided breathing only, which is clearly not going to work for 2.4 miles.
• Biking is my best sport by far, and I'm not out of biking shape. I did the Chilly Hilly back in February, and while that was a bit rough I recovered quickly. I've been using my trainer in the garage more and more, so I'm confident in my current condition.  I have no doubts about the 112 mile ride.
• Running is getting better for me. I've been doing treadmill and outdoor running recently, and I can easily do 7.5 mile runs although my heart rate is a bit high for that distance.

Finally, we talk about IE7 features!

update Oct 23, 2006

IE7 has shipped!  Go get it at http://www.microsoft.com/ie

You can read more about IE7 features on this comprehensive Feature Table.

Various IE team PMs have been discussing many of the features in depth on the IEBlog.

• A revamped overall look and feel, with new features such as Tabbed Browsing, Quick Tabs, Search Box, and Favorites Center, Printing improvements
• Page Zoom
• IDN support
• Integrated feed (RSS, Atom, etc) support
• Web platofrm improvements: CSS bug fixes and enhancements, windowless SELECT, Native XMLHTTP object, alpha transparency PNG support
• Protected Mode (in Windows Vista only)
• Anti-phishing features
• ClearType enabled by default
• Support for XPSP2 and newer versions of Windows (sorry, no Win2K support)

My wife's illness

Over the last few months, my wife Theresa had been experiencing what seemed to be weight gain despite exercise and proper diet, and then in mid-February she started to develop pains in her right side. I urged her to visit a doctor (she's notoriously stubborn about such things), and finally she did in mid March, when she was diagnosed with a rather large ovarian tumor. Surgery to remove it took place three weeks ago, and after a week in the hospital due to various complications, she came home where she's been slowly recovering.

The last month has been one of the most intense periods of my life. It's hard for me to imagine how frightening it must have been for her, especially since the tumor was fast growing which could have meant cancer in one form or another. The pathology reports came back Monday that the tumor was "pre-cancerous" which means no chemo, but various ultrasounds and blood tests etc. every six months for the next several years to ensure it doesn't return.

We married "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health" and we've certainly had all that in the last 15 years. Let me tell you, rich and healthy = for better.