Blatant calling for email subscriptions

Getting ready to blast out the email newsletter for September.

Why should you subscribe? (subscription box over to the left under "about me" - join the mailing list)

1. It's like MTV's "The $h!t they should have shown" on Real World and the Challenges.  You get a peak at important stuff I didn't cover on the blog posts.  Man Vs Triathlon.  Examiner.  Falkee Triathlon.  Triathlon Store Affiliate Deals.  All kinds of good stuff!
2. If there is enough interest, I will share some insider tips on my wife's couponing.  You, too, can save oodles of money.
3. It's the "cool list".  Don't be left out.

Sign up!


SALES
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Mountain Hardwear Flash Sale - Save Up To 55% On Men's Outerwear & Apparel At TheClymb.com. Expires 9/29/2011 At 9am PDT.

50% Off! Closeout Prices and FREE SHIPPING at WetsuitWearhouse.com!

Volunteers needed for Kansas City Marathon

The Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon is just around the corner and you don't have to run to take part in the race day festivities. We are still recruiting volunteers to help us make this year's event the largest and most efficient marathon in KC to date. To plan and organize an event the magnitude of our run, the Kansas City Marathon relies heavily on the efforts of dedicated volunteers such as yourself. Therefore, we graciously ask that you consider registering for one of our volunteer job stations. You can encourage friends, family, or coworkers to join in on the fun. Plus, you can even raise money for your organization, club, or non-profit by registering 10 volunteers or more through our grant group program. To learn how to set up a grant group, you can contact us at volunteer@kcmarathon.org. Why Volunteer? In addition to supporting the city of Kansas City and the 11,000 plus runners that partake in either the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, Team Relay, or Kids Marathon; volunteers also receive the following benefits A Long Sleeve Event T-Shirt Complementary Food and Beverages Free Entries into Prize Raffles, Including Southwest Airline Tickets Where We Need You? Several openings remain for Late Registration & Packet Pickup, the Start & Finish Line, and more. However, Course Monitors remains our biggest need to date. If you want to help but aren't sure what job to sign up for, check one of our Course Monitor sections on our online registration site. CLICK HERE FOR VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER INFORMATION Already Registered? The Heath & Fitness Expo If you volunteered for either Thursday (10/13) or Friday (10/14) at Late Registration & Packet Pickup please report at your respective start times to Crown Center Exhibit Hall A, located at 2323 McGee Street in Kansas City, MO 64108. All Volunteers are invited to the Volunteer Information Meeting at 7pm on October 13, 2011 at the Health and Fitness Expo. *Course Monitors, Course Monitor Captains, and Aid Station Captains are strongly encouraged to attend. Parking is available in the Hyatt Regency Crown Center parking garage  (Pershing Rd & McGee St.) and is free (up to 3 hours) with validation from the hotel. Race Day If you have volunteered for either the Start & Finish Line / Clothing  Check In / Finish Line Cleanup / or the Finish Line Festival, please  report at your respective start times to the volunteer check in tent located on the Southeast Corner of Washington Park (Pershing Rd & Grand Blvd). Future email notifications will include finish line maps and additional instructions. In the meantime, course maps and street closures can be found at kcmarathon.org

Pumpkins, long runs and fall, oh my

If you live in Kansas City, I bet you would agree the weather is FRICKIN awesome!  Highs in the mid 70's, sunny... just pleasant overall.

It gave us some time for a pumpkin run, time for a long run and some yard work, sweet.

TRAINING
Have you ever tried to combine errands with training?  I did Saturday as we needed more printer ink for our latest shopping ventures.  I had a 12 mile run scheduled and I knew I'd be out a while and Em would be without ink.  The world would end as we know it.  So, instead of jumping in the car and driving over, I ran over to Wally World.  I took the long route there, got the ink, ran a shorter route home, dropped off the ink and finished out the last 4.5 miles.

It actually worked out well to stop by home after 7.5 miles.  For some reason my energy level plummeted and I needed a quick peanut butter snack boost.  I ate some breakfast and a gel before the run but I was crashing on the way back home.  Good timing.  AND, Wal Mart was a timely potty stop as well.  Worked out on all counts.

I kept a 8:45 pace (slower than race pace) and felt pretty good.  I think I could have pushed 8:00 pace for the 12 miles if I was going to push it.  Here's why I've been feeling fresher:

1. More sleep.  I've been sleeping in on the weekends and training some at night to get a complete night of sleep.  Ya, it's jacked up my morning workouts, but I've been getting more rest, for the most part.
2. While I have been swimming and biking, it's more maintenance mode for now.  I have some half marathons slated this fall and early spring (Man Vs Heartland 39.3), but no multisport events, yet.  Fresher legs for runs when I'm not biking 80+ miles a week.

FAMILY

Pumpkin time!  We are that goofy family that get all geeked up for fall.  Football, pumpkins, holidays.. bring it on.  We ventured out to a local patch out at Liberty, MO.  I say "patch" in the sense they took a corn field, mowed it down, and imported pumpkins.  Either their crop was slim or they are just a pumpkin patch in name only.  We may hit another one up to have the real experience of cutting your melon off the vine yourself!

Ew, sand!

Did you bring the train tickets, Daddy?

TRAIN TIME!

Mmmmm kettle corn

EM's NEW ADVENTURE
As I posted Saturday, Em found a new passion.  Saving lots of money!  I didn't think she could make it completely work.

I know exactly how much stuff that really is as I spent a lot of Sunday trying to find places to put it in our basement until we make our next donation run.

Scary thing is, she thinks she can do better!  We are looking at a week or so and having another run.  Stay tuned to me on twitter (www.twitter.com/trijayhawkryan) and I will keep you posted real time!

ALSO!  If you are interested in helping us get products to donate, please sign up for my email newsletter (link under my profile picture) and I will drop my address in the next newsletter this week so that you can send us your coupons.  The more coupons we have, the more we can get to donate.

SALES


Free Shipping for New Customers at Dick's Sporting Goods - No minimum necessary! Will not apply if customer's valid email address has been used for previous orders on DicksSportingGoods.com. Ends 10/2

End Of Summer Footwear Blowout! Shop Now And Save Up To 60% Off Retail On All Shoes At LeftLane Sports!

5.10 Flash Sale! Shop Now And Save Up To 52% Off Retail On All Climbing & Approach Shoes At LeftLane Sports!

Kansas Half Marathon - part of the Heartland 39.3 series!

 Join us for the kickoff of the 2012 Kansas Half Marathon on October 2 at Hy-Vee!

Kansas Half Marathon Kickoff Party Sunday, October 2 from 3-5pm! Lawrence Hy-Vee (Kasold and Clinton Pkwy) The Kansas Half Marathon has become an annual favorite in Lawrence, KS and the event is new and improved for 2012! Join Hy-Vee and Health Care Access Clinic for the kickoff party and learn more about the 2012 event! The Hy-Vee KIds Marathon Club will be hosting a free kids run and there will be free live  music and food for everyone! This will also be your last chance to sign up for the 2012 Kansas Half Marathon for the special early bird registration rate of only $39.30! Make plans today to join us for this fun event!

How in the world did my wife get $1,852 of stuff for $276?

Usually my posts are tied to the work of triathlon or some form of endurance sports.  How to train, how to race, how I did, what I'm doing and the fact I'm always thinking about the sport.

This post is dedicated to the family side of life.  I don't often get into the depths of the every day life, more rather how I try and balance the multisport lifestyle with life in general.

If you have read the blog for a while, you might gather that our family is pretty much textbook middle class.  We don't struggle, but if one of us is out of work, we would be in serious trouble.  We had some serious times with our second child being in the hospital and needing surgeries 5 times in 4 months.  We have also had hard times with Em having chronic foot problems and having 3 surgeries in 2011 alone.  I say that to relate how we came upon ways to save money at the store.  We are as smart with our money as possible but sometimes being smart just isn't enough.  Em has taken to a few ways to find deals on mostly food and every day house items.

Normally I wouldn't think anyone would want to hear about how we saved a sizable portion of money at the store last Friday night until I posted the picture on twitter of our carts and asked people to guess how much we were looking at spending.  I got more twitter traffic than in the previous year of being on twitter.  I guess money sparks peoples' interests!

To be honest I thought we would end up leaving a lot at the register as the "deals" my wife would try to use wouldn't work.  Well, we started shopping at 7pm and by the time we got home, unloaded (just put the fridge items up and left everything else in the bags in the floor) is was 12:30am.  We spent 5 and 1/2 hours shopping.

3 hours loading the carts.

2.5 hours checking out.

As the headline states, we got $1,852 of goods for $276 before taxes.  We saved $1,576.  Plain and simple.

We spent $300 including taxes for the entirety of two FULL carts.  No one guessed $300 on twitter but someone guessed $275.  Good work.

Just a sample of what we got:

• 50 bags of candy, each more than 10 ounces.  Not just the cheapo stuff, we're talking snickers, reeces peanut butter cups, skittles... the good stuff!
• 42 cans of Chunky soups
• 60 various brands of toothpaste
• 20 boxes of name brand cereals
• Aside from the samples above, we filled two carts over the top and the under cart rack as well.
• It covered my truck bed and filled the extended cab portion.

No, we are not hoarding.  We realize some of this stuff we will NEVER use all of and some would expire before we could realistically eat it (unless we are looking at clocking in at more than 300 pounds each).  We contribute a lot to Operation Breakthrough here in Kansas City.  http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/

They have a closet for toys for birthdays.  It was empty and kids cried when they had nothing until we stocked it with 20 plus board games we got a deal on.  Band aids, toothpaste, hamburger helper.  They said the kids were upset all they had was cereal every day for breakfast.  We found a deal and will be donating 15 to 20 boxes of Pillsbury toaster strudel.

It's a pretty cool feeling to contribute besides just forking over money (which we are limited on).  Through the deals my wife finds and spends a large amount of time on, we help our family and others.

Thanks for reading and just wanted to share how we make it work.

Bicycle and gear swap meet in Kansas City (well, Overland Park)

In case you need EVEN MORE triathlon stuff, there's a sweet swap meet this weekend! Don't buy anything I want unless you are giving it to me!

SALES

75% Off All High Sierra Wheeled Duffel Bags, Buy Now At LeftLane Sports!

POW Gloves Flash Sale - Get Up To 60% Below Retail On Ski & Snowboard Gloves At TheClymb.com. Expires 9/26/2011 At 9AM PDT.

Workouts, Pumpkins, Big 12 and more

As I posted about before, I'm having a difficult time making the AM workout schedule.  The combination of not keeping a consistent wake up time, cooler temps and just being plain worn out from everything else has resulted in sleeping in and trying to get workouts in at other times.

Luckily this week I was 2 for 3 on planned AM workouts.


TRAINING / MAINTAINING
New little title here.  I only have the KC 1/2 marathon on the agenda for the rest of 2011.  I'm not too concerned with being able to accomplish the distance.  I may try for a PR or I may just set in for a comfortable pace and aim for a good race day.  I think I'll take stock how I feel race morning.

The rest of my workouts are not aimed at "training" for a race but maintaining a level of fitness through winter before 2012 season is upon us.  Not trying to jump ahead but also trying to keep focus on not forgetting biking and swimming over the winter.

But, this week I had planned to swim with a masters group Wednesday morning, but I compensated by riding my bike home after work and to work Thursday morning.  This morning I hit some treadmill sprints and swam a quick 1500.  I will probably miss a run for the week as I need my long run this weekend and I don't want to run myself into the ground running too many days in a row.  2 for 3 isn't half bad.


FAMILY
So we are eyeing some pumpkin patches this weekend.  In the past we had a patch by Lawrence we would hit, then we found Carolyn's in Liberty, MO, then another patch in south MO and now the KC pumpkin patch in Gardner... we are debating to hit just one or spread it out and make the rounds.

That's the beauty about having kids (besides a couple other reasons).  You have a good excuse to really enjoy the "holidays" by adding extra trips for pumpkins!

Big 12
As you may have guessed reading some posts here, I'm a huge KU fan.  They are in the somewhat defunct Big 12 (with only 9 teams).  Things were not looking good until yesterday when Dan Beebe resigned and Texas and OU stayed and the Big 12 keeps limping along.  The Big 12 lives on, but I'm tired of facing the question of will the league keep on yearly now.  C'mon, crap or get off the pot!

Lifetime Fitness presents the 24 Hours of Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Race‏

October
29-30, 2011

6, 12 and 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race

Located in Boulder City, NV (just minutes from the Las Vegas) DISTANCES: 6, 12 and 24 Hour Mountain Bike Relay Teams and Solo competitors welcome. Event includes: BBQ, Camping, Halloween Festivities, Live Music, and the Boulder Dam Brewery Register today before the race fills!

SALES
FRS Flash Sale - Save Up To 60% On Healthy Energy Chews At TheClymb.com. Expires 9/26/2011 At 9am PDT.

Buck O'Neil 2.2 Mile Run/Walk

		Buck o'neil 2.2 mile run/walk
Celebrate the 100th birthday of the late, great Buck O'Neil by running 2.2 miles for #22. Runners and walkers will travel down the Paseo through the historic Kansas City jazz district. All proceeds benefit the Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Register TOMORROW 9/22 and get a special ONE DAY ONLY price of $22!!! REGISTER Location: 19th & the Paseo (Buck O'Neil Research & Education Center) Date: Saturday, Novemeber 12, 2011 Packet Pickup and Check in: 7:00am 2.2 Run/Walk Start: 8:00am 1 Mile Walk Start: 8:15am Benefits: -First 500 registrants will receive a special gift from NLBM -Every participant will receive a Buck O'Neil tshirt -Food and drinks at the finish line -Chip timing (Optional) -Participants will receive a free admission to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Registration Fees: 1 Mile Walk......................................on Sept. 22nd for $22 2.2 Mile Run/Walk (untimed)...........on Sept. 22nd for $22 2.2 Mile Run/Walk (timed)...............on Sept. 22nd for $22 *All prices increase to $25 through October 23rd, $28 through November 10th and $30 on race day. *Online registration closes Friday, November 10th at 11:59 p.m. ** We will be accepting walk-up registrations on race day. Please arrive by 7:00am. For more information visit the www.SportKC.org/BuckRun2011

SALES




Giro Flash Sale - Save Up To 55% On Ski & Snowboard Goggles At TheClymb.com. Expires 9/26/2011 At 9am PDT.

Save Up to 40% on Fall Cycling Gear and Apparel. Use coupon code "cooldeals15" for 15% off already discounted cycling gear and apparel. Coupon Code: cooldeals15

Kansas City Running Races - this weekend and beyond

You have the following running options this Saturday, Sept. 24th

Run at the regular SMR, details here http://www.olatherunningclub.com/htmdocs/saturday_morning_run_locations.html (email Paul with any questions)

Run the Prairie Spirit Trail, see previous email for details (email Sherrie sklover@sunflower.com with any questions)


JARED COONES MEMORIAL PUMPKIN 5K RUN/WALK
On October 8, 2011 the 13th Annual Jared Coones Memorial Pumpkin 5k run/walk will take place. From our first run in 1999 with just under 600 entries to our 2010 run with over 3300 participants this race has become an event that celebrates community and family, and is unlike any other run you will be a part of. In our first 12 years we have raised over $350,000.00 to benefit cancer research.

The Olathe Running Club was there at the finish line in 1999 and has been a mainstay every year since. As we are expecting 3500 entries this year we will need everyone’s help. So please make plans to volunteer and be there on race day, and even bring a friend.

Dave Boone will be in charge of the finish line again this year. Please e-mail Dave at davidhboone@aol.com or me at sm26375@sbcglobal.net or call 816 822 2309 as soon as you can to let us know you will be there.

Location: Blackbob School 14701 S. Brougham, Olathe.

Race Time: 8AM

Parking is at a premium so you may want to take advantage of the bus shuttle from Frontier Trail School 15300 W. 143rd.

Jim Burt who sets up the finish line for the Jared Coones Run is having hamstring surgery this week. He will be there race morning but cannot put any weight on the leg. He will need 3-4 guys to help him set up the start/finish banner. Let me know who can help do this. They will need to arrive by 6:30.

For more Pumpkin run information check out our website http://www.pumpkinrunwalk.org/ Thank You, Sam Miceli, race director

SALES

Training "schedule"

So for a while back in June and July I was doing pretty good at getting workouts in the morning before work.  I usually got 3 to 4 during the week in and did a decent job on the weekends getting up early before the house was moving.

As the temps have lowered and daylight is harder to come by with sunrise later and sunset earlier, I find it hard to get my happy butt out of bed.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all about getting my swim, bike or run on, but I wish it was between the hours of 7am to 7pm.  I do get some lunch workouts in, but eliminating AM workouts just makes everything that much more cramped.

List of things giving me AM workout block and possible solutions:

1. Later sunrise - can't really control that.
2. Cooler temps - need more layers of clothes, up earlier, arg.
3. Cooler temps in bedroom that make those covers EXTRA comfortable - we have a programmable thermostat.  Maybe I'll get that set to raise the temp to like 80 so I'm hot, sweaty and can't sleep at 4am.  I wonder how The Wife would appreciate that....
4. Just plain tired - get to bed earlier.  Easier said than with chasing two kids until 8:30 and them needing to get stuff around the house done.  It's hard enough with The Wife and I trying to track down the kiddos at night.
5. Work - if only I could do work whenever I wanted.  The whole 7:30am - 5:30pm deal cramps my style.  Ya know?  If only I could get my 45 in whenever it fit the schedule.  Have WORK run around LIFE, but I don't think that will happen.  =)

Any thoughts out there for you working family stiffs trying to make a go at the multisport life?

Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5k - last chance to register

4th Annual Free to Breathe® Kansas City
Lung Cancer 5K Run/Walk & 1/2 Mile Walk

Kansas City, MO • Sept. 25, 2011 • 8:30 AM

Online Registration Closes Tomorrow!

So Register Online Today!
$30/$17 Kids' Dash (ages 10 & younger)

Event Day
$35/$20 Kids' Dash (ages 10 & younger)(beginning at 7:00 a.m.)

While you're at the event, be sure to check out our

silent auction!  Here's a peek at some of the great items up

for auction: Weekend use of a Mercedes-Benz, children's

 dance birthday party,teeth whitening package, custom jewelry

and lots of gift cards to local businesses!

Join the movement at www.FreetoBreathe.org.
Learn more, register, donate sponsor or volunteer and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Like us on Facebook and mention us in your status
and you could get to design a mile-marker sign for the event!

Some Kansas City Races

September 24, 2011 8:00am. The start and finish will be located at Shawnee Mission Park,  near the Theater in the Park. Runners will enjoy a great out and back course. Runners will get: a certified course, chip timing, race t-shirt, and awards.

October 1, 2011 10th annual Cure SMA Race and Roll 5K • Saturday, October 1, 8:00am, Bishop Miege High School, 5041  Reinhardt Drive, Roeland Park, KS 66205. 5k (timed and untimed) and; 1 mile walk starts at 8:00am, Kid's Dash starts at 9:00 am; Awards immediately following Kid's Dash! www.fsma.org Help us develop a treatment or cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy!

Belton Parks and Recreation 5k Run/Walk This is our third annual 5K. Our goal is to establish a race enjoyabl e to all participants, which will help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Leukemia is a malignant disease of the bone marrow and blood. Funds raised will provide lifesaving blood cancer research.

Join us for the 3rd annual Sounds In Kansas City 5K Run and Walk. Proceeds raised will benefit MEI's "Ears That Hear" Fund which provides hearing aids to patients who cannot afford them or whose insurance plan does not provide coverage. Awards will be presented after the race.

October 2, 2011 Join us in raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer by participating in the inaugural Lemon Run Kansas City in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The course will offer something for athletes of all abilities, including a Kids’ Race. Come run or walk the beautiful 5K (3.1 miles) course in Waterfall Park, located by Bass Pro Shop in Independence, Missouri. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers by age group. If you’re not a runner or walker, come out to cheer on our childhood cancer heroes as they start the race! Likewise, if you are not located in the Greater Kansas City Area, consider signing up as a virtual runner/walker and we will send you a shirt from the event.

SALES
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Save 20% on your purchase at Bigskycountry.com! Some restrictions apply. Coupon Code: email

SIGG Flash Sale - Save Up To 60% On BPA & Phthalate Free Water Bottles At TheClymb.com. Expires 9/23/2011 At 9AM PDT.