September 2009

Hi Everyone,

September? Already? Last week we counted the days until Christmas and we're down to like 110 days or so. This year is totally flying by.

I'd like to share two important things with you that happened to me last month. They really don't have much to do with the store, nor do they have anything to do with our fitness community. But they are things I'm thinking a lot about lately and, per usual, I'd like to share.

Last month my best friend Kent visited me from Southern California. He and I have done a fair bit of travelling together and to rather exotic places. Our last trip was to Mongolia because it was the biggest blank space on a globe. Anyhow, Kent is a professioinal photo-journalist and is getting ready to embark on a walk across America. The purpose of his Aptos trip was to collectively determine some logistics of the crossing, namely how to lug enough water for the desert stretches. I'm not sure if we completely did this, but we certainly figured out that a pack full of water will not be fun to carry very far. More than likely Kent will be either pushing a baby jogger (sans baby) or pull something constructed from the parts of a baby jogger. Either way, I'm very excited for him to start out on this journey. I've always wished to do the same sort of trek. Someday... If you like amazing photos, check out his website at www.kenttreptow.com.

And also in the spirit of endurance-type adventures...

Some of you may remember that nine months ago (or so) I was starting my return to running after 18 months of injury. Like many of you I needed an event to keep me honest. So I registered for the Angeles Crest 100 and have been putting in some serious miles in Nisene Marks since then. As August wrapped up I ventured to Los Angeles to get a feel for the final 25 miles of the course (everyone I spoke to said it was the toughest section). While the trails were tough and I spent a good portion of the day picking ticks off my legs and dodging rattlesnakes, what I remember most is how close the fires were to the trails and how congested my lungs were from breathing smoke (and smog) all day. Two days after I returned, the race was cancelled. I figured it would be. But just like any obstacle, I saw it as an opportunity. So I signed up for a newer 100-miler called the Iroquois Trail 100 near Ithaca, NY. Most of my family is in NY and I haven't seen them in years. Both the race and the family visit are a long time a'coming.

I hope you all are enjoying your own journey.

And don't forget, it's not too early to start holiday shopping! Ugh!

To Your Health,

tom