Hello, how are you all??

A little vulnerable transparency. Vince has been more tuned in to some of the chaos going on for my family the last 8-ish months, but I’ll give a brief recap. In May I lost my job, which was our only means of income. My wife was finishing nursing school (went back to complete her RN after 16 years as an LPN), and thankfully landed a job quickly. We put our house on the market, moved across the state, have been living with in-laws, kids entered new schools…just a lot. I was teaching adjunct for a college, but the contract didn’t renew due to student/course ratio. Then my wife’s job unexpectedly went haywire, and she was being told they didn’t have work for her unless she went to another city. We struggled to find a house, with multiple offers being turned down, and I’ve received either NOs or radio silence on every job application submitted. It’s been pretty crappy, and I’ve really struggled to get moving on runs, lifts, some days just getting out of the house. But I had a small circle of people I trust constantly pushing light into that darkness, and acknowledging it sucks but it’ll all be fine. I couldn’t agree more. Life is messy and sucks at times, and I’m the worst for trying to seem like it’s “all together” on social media. I’m also one of the most stupidly stubborn people ever placed on this earth, and I’ll ride something out as far as I can until there’s nowhere else to go - maybe that’s why I’m drawn to trail running… My intent here is not to be Tony Robbins, but rather really say hang in there. And if you know someone going through something, a simple “thinking about you” text can be monumental (gotten several of these from people here going into races). So, now the sunshine. My wife reached out to three medical facilities, and had a new (more stable) job within a week. After months, we were able to buy a piece of land, and we’ll start construction on a house after the first of the year. And today, I accepted a position with Tennessee Tech University in the town we moved to for my wife’s original job. I haven’t even made that “Facebook Official” yet, and really wanted to tell you all first. So, hang in there. The path may not be what you expected, but it may be better than you ever imagined.

Hi guys, hope you’re all doing well! Exciting news — it looks like there’s now a way to ship Running Weirdo apparel to the USA through Vinted! 🇺🇸🌀 If you’re interested, just drop me a message and I’ll send you the Vinted ID to use. All you need to do is let me know what item you’d like and your size from the Running Weirdo website, and I’ll add it to the account for you. Can’t wait to see some Running Weirdos repping the gear across the pond!🏃🏃‍♀️

❄️ Winter Running Tips (ECRC Edition) ❄️ ***add the best tip you have for "winter running in your current geological location. 1. Dress in layers…Because nothing humbles you faster than starting a run freezing, and finishing it looking like a sweaty onion with clothing tied around every limb. 2. Warm up inside, do some high knees in your kitchen. Do some butt kicks in your hallway. Bonus points if your family watches you and questions every life decision you’ve ever made. 3. Accept that you will slip on ice.Just call it “dynamic balance training” and pretend it was intentional. Olympic-level agility, baby. 4. Don’t overdress, You may start the run feeling like you’re entering Antarctica, but 10 minutes later you’ll swear someone put you in a sauna with a windbreaker on. 5. Protect your face.Wind chill will slap you harder than your alarm clock at 5AM. Buffs, balaclavas, or your hand pretending to be a shield — use something. 6. Accept the snot rocket.Winter running is basically a faucet you can’t turn off. Do it discreetly… and away from the wind. (Trust me.) 7. Keep your water warm.Because nothing says “athlete” like trying to drink your hydration only to discover it’s turned into a slushy.

I got amped off the turkey trot and signed up for another little race in December! It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas theme. I’m doing the 10k. Anyone else doing any races in December?