My constant aid station

It has been an epic week for yours truly when it comes to gear.

I had heard that the Pearl Izumi Infinity compression shorts (read: really cool underwear) were coming in to Great Plains Running Co. this week, so I was pumped about that. When I went in the store to buy a pair I discovered that there was a pair of Mizuno Wave Ascend 4's in my size. I fell in love with the previous version, and they have done a super job with the update so I was waiting on those to come in. New underwear + new shoes = happy boy!

So while I was doing some laundry today I did a little self-inventory of my clothes. I have a pretty respectable inventory, given the amount of time I've been running. I noticed that there was not one piece of gear I could identify as being unnecessary. This is not something I can take credit for, but I think a testament to the folks at Great Plains. See, they don't sell me stuff I don't need. I like my salesfolks to be available but not pushy. Further, they know what the gear is designed to do: this shoe can handle rocky stuff, this shoe likes mud, this shoe will replace your Viagra prescription. Also, the staff there pays attention to the customer. I realize that is not exactly a novel concept, but nothing keeps my wallet closed like needing help with something only to discover the employees at (fill in the blank) are playing grab-ass with each other.

One more thing, and maybe the most important: they value the idea that we all have potential. A year ago I was a fat guy who couldn't have told you the difference between a Saucony and a glazed doughnut. I just knew that I wanted to be a runner. I had a great deal of self-doubt about getting into running, but I had to lose some weight somehow. The staff didn't have any doubts that I could, and thank God for that. And even though I was just in there yesterday, I can't wait to go back.