Happy New Year

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2020 has been a tumultuous year for anyone I have had contact with over the course of the year. I can’t think of a single person who has made it through unscathed. However, at the same time, it has been a year for tremendous personal growth. I think a lot of people have taken good long looks at themselves, their situations, and what they really want out of life. With that, I feel like a lot of decisions have been made that reflect that. 

 

Personally, I have decided to put my biggest problem with running a business aside- the idea that I can do it better than anyone else. You know how it is- instead of explaining how to do something, it’s “easier” to just do it yourself. But, in the end, what do you have? You have people who wanted to help you, probably could do it better, that are now frustrated. And you, well, you’re still trying to get everything done, but it’s all half-finished. That’s a big problem and not any way to go through life or try to run a business. For me, it was a big downfall and one that I finally faced in 2020. While there is still a lot of work to be done in this area, I feel so much lighter that it’s being addressed. 

 

From a running standpoint, I looked at where I was at and what I wanted to do. I was stuck in a zone where there wasn’t anything to train for, but if I stopped training, there’d be a good chance that I wouldn’t ever take it up again in a serious matter. An old friend, Matt Gabrielson, told us once, “unless you are an Olympian, you don’t retire, you just quit.” Another gem he told us after he “quit” was “Don’t ever stop doing it (racing hard). Do it as long as you are able.” I don’t know if he would even remember saying that, but it has stuck with me for several years. The truth is, I still like training hard and I still think that I can do some fairly impressive (for me) things that would allow me to fade off into the sunset of open competition. I don’t think I’ll ever “quit” but I know that goals will change over time. 

 

With that, I want to say that I am excited about the future. I think 2021 will be interesting, but better. In a small way, 2020 has helped us find our way again. Please don’t take that as a downplay on all the tragedy that has taken place this year. I have simply chosen not to take that in vain, but rather channel that into how I personally can make a difference, leave a legacy, and become a better person. If you feel the same way, but find yourself struggling to stay positive, you aren’t alone. It isn’t easy, by any means. But, every day is a new opportunity to try again. There are no rules on how many times you get to keep trying. Anyway, I just wanted to wish you all a very happy new year. A prosperous 2021. A year filled with races and gathering and community. I also wanted to extend a very heartfelt thank you to all of those who have stuck by LHR in 2020, have purchased from us, even if you already owned copies of the book, didn’t really need another running shirt, or had a training plan you probably weren’t going to use. I appreciate your loyalty to us. Your support both in spirit and financially. I am sure other communities are great, but the running community is the best! Happy New Year, LHR family! 

 

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