I received a request via email from Aviv Laufer with the subject being “”An Interview”. I did not recognize the name, but recognized the word Laufer as German for running, and also the subject line piqued my interest, so I opened it.

Here is what I found: “Hello, We are a group of runners who operate the first and only web site in Israel dedicated to Ultra Running http://www.distance.co.il. It's a non-commercial site by runners and for runners. We are conducting a series of interviews with Ultra legends (we already spoke with Pam Reed and Scott Jurek). We were refereed to you by Karl King. We would like to have an interview with you either by phone or by mail.

Regards

Aviv”

Naturally, I replied and from my reply and several emails back and forth we set up a time and date for a telephone interview. When Aviv called, I was surprised that his accent sounded British. He also posed some very interesting and thoughtful questions. He was trying to find all the answers to becoming a successful ultra runner. I did the best I could to supply him with the information he was seeking.

He mentioned that the world’s greatest ultra runner, Yiannis Kouros, had recently posted something on the internet that said you were not an ultra runner unless you run for 24-hours. He then asked my opinion on that statement. I said, although Yiannis and I are good friends, I had to disagree. By definition, an ultra marathon is any distance beyond the standard 26.2 miles of the marathon. I did state that most “serious” ultra runners considered 50-miles to be an ultra, whereas the 50-kilometers was “just” a long marathon. This is where we get into is the glass half-empty, or is the glass half-full mentality. There are different ways of looking at things and coming up with an answer from your view, where you are currently standing. Obviously, for one standing at the top the view looks considerably different for one standing at the bottom and looking up.

In a race, against other competitors, you can look at time as being for you or against you. In a longer race, I always feel time is on my side. I “know” that if I keep going others in front of me will falter and I will move up. In shorter distance races, I know that if someone pulls away from me, the chances of me having enough time to make up the distance between us will be insufficient for me to catch him. This is being realistic, not just taking a view of the situation.

The same holds true with running courses with hills. Some people avoid them because they see them as obstacles preventing them from running fast. For me, I admire hills, because they make me stronger, both physically and mentally. I see them as a way of gaining strength in my legs and also in my mind. Entering a race with hills will give me an edge, because I have prepared for them and I know in my mind I am ready to take on the challenge they offer.

At Wigwam, they do not look at raw materials simply as a tool to manufacture socks; they look on them as a way of creating a product that will help and athlete’s performance. They view socks as not just a way to cover the foot and protect it from the shoes, but a way to enhance the experience your feet and shoes have together, thereby making them an essential part of your running experience.

No matter how you look at things, it is up to you to decide what is best for you. Others will offer their advice and opinions, but it does not make it right for you. Experimenting in training is the best way to determine your needs. When it comes to comfort and performance I’m sure you’ll be satisfied with Wigwam socks, the brand I have been using for three decades. With over 85,000 miles on my feet, 850 races, including over 100 marathons and 150 ultra marathon races, I know what works for me. Now it’s your turn to experiment with a variety of socks that Wigwam offers.