November 2008

Hi Folks,

After over a year of merely wishing I could run, I've finally rehabilitated my injured feet enough to start putting some solid miles on them, pain-free. It's been a long, humbling experience and I hope that the knowledge gained as a result proves to be to my future benefit. I have to say that most of my so-called "wisdom" has come directly from others and usually when I needed it the most. I can think of three times when I encountered a "running guru" of sorts who passed onto me valuable nuggets of information applicable to both my life as a runner and as a regular guy. They are all worthy to share with you. Call it a pre-holiday gift of sorts!

The first one came as I hit the brakes on a downhill portion of the American River 50-Miler in 2005. A seasoned ultra veteran sized me up and said, "Hey buddy, if you're running downhill, don't stop."

The second revelation came as I walked wearily along the route of my first trail race. I think I was looking for a rock to crawl under. A middle-aged woman trotted up beside me, asked if I was ok, then announced, "You know, if you keep moving forward, you'll get to the finish."

The third and final bit of wisdom came while training for Western States. During a 30-mile training run, another old-timer said, "Tom, if you want to go fast, you need to train slow."

So now, in regards to training and life in general, I'm taking my time, allowing momentum to carry me through tough moments and accepting the fact that the hardest work never has an immediate payoff. As I apply this to the store I feel more embedded and dedicated to what I do. I cherish the wisdom that these three random individuals shared with me as I struggled to learn the ropes. I hope that someday I can pass such words onto someone who, like me, is ready to hear it. Words our powerful and sometimes can be life-altering. You never know when you are the source of a crystallizing moment for someone else. Good stuff.

Keep on keepin' on.

Tom Griffen
November 2008