Okay, okay.  Let me start off by welcoming everyone to the new year.  Yes, it's almost February but still, Happy New Year anyways.  Also, I know that my last (posted) address is from, like, July or something but know that everyone (and I mean a lot of people) that puts in work (all volunteer hours by the way) for the club has other things going on and sometimes, just sometimes, paid work will get in the way of free work.  Just throwing it out there...(shout out to Rinny).

So now that the apologies are out of the way, how's everyone feeling?  Finally some rain to wet down the trails a bit and send some of Ray's runs onto the pavement (harder to get lost when your running on a circular road).  Look for Coach's socks-as-gloves to make an appearance as well.  Despite the cool-down of the weather, your friendly neighborhood running club is moving along at full speed.  Everyone re-up and renew their Sierra Challenge Express membership???  Better get it done, folks, as plenty-o-fun is to be had as a member!! The upcoming year will be filled with our usual (and some newly found) activities.  Our “destination” race this year will be the Rock to Pier in Morro Bay which will be held on July 7th.  Our 2nd Annual picnic is looking for a date to fall on but rest assured that will occur.  For the more urgent happenings, our Annual Club Banquet will be held on February 11th and the Ramada Inn on Shaw and 41.  Our banquet girls are hammering out details but expect the usual Coach Ray report cards, dinner, dancing, and Ray's year-end running awards.  Don't forget, the theme this year is the 1980's so bust out your best 80's gear (yes, you know you have it....shame!) and come have some fun.  I hope to see you there!

To close I want to pass along something that I have noticed in the past year.  Loyalty is a highly valued human commodity.  This trait transposes across all lines, boundaries, borders, cultures, sports, and ethnicity.  I have new people come into the running store wanting to change shoes because of what is the newest fad, “this guy/gal wears this/that,” I want a change, blah-blah-blah, only to return because the new shoes did not work out.  Now, shoes is not the only area that loyalty will pay off but it serves as the inspiration for this paragraph.  Loyalty can also help you to get faster (loyal to a training regimen), fitter (diet), and a better person overall (everything else).  So some words of wisdom from your friendly neighborhood running club president:  Stay loyal to your running shoes, your favorite store, your club, yourself, your friends, and I'll assure you that the upcoming year will be filled with nothing but happiness.

Just run,

Scott