Base training is what will determine your racing results in endurance athletics.  We've heard this over and over in magazines, blogs and articles. But what IS base training? Let me throw a concept out to you that defines what it develops: Maximum Lipid Power. What is that??? This is the speed or power output you can generate at the exact point where you are getting 50% of your energy needs for your effort from fat and 50% from carbohydrates. You may be saying that's wonderful, but still why is this so important? There are as few things that make this number gold for endurance athletics.

In a race you can burn around 700 calories per hour. If this corresponds to your maximum lipid power you will be burning 350 calories/hour of fat and 350 calories of carbs. Now, once again, why is this so important?

He works in Wigwam socks, he professionally Big Game Hunt Guides in Wigwam socks, he travels to the Middle East and Beyond on Armed Forces Entertainment Tours in Wigwam socks, and he is a big supporter of our American Made brand. Here is his latest testimonial:

Please pass onto everyone at Wigwam my thanks for putting me in the most comfortable, highest functioning socks I've ever worn. They got me through 12 hour days at the Vancouver Olympics as the Field Talent Annoucer for all the Nordic Events. I wore your product inside a pair of brand new TAC Issued US Armed Forces Combat Boots (which I wear as a way of showing support to our soldiers and their families).

Simply amazing quality. As a 9 year veteran, former National Team Athlete in the sport of Biathlon, 14 Year Veteran of Coaching and Servicing for the US Ski Team and Olympic Teams, I've had my share of socks on my feet.

I'm happy to be promoting my use of your products. Your products American made and American quality really rings with me. Thank you.

- Rob Powers

At times, we all find ourselves out of our element. Those moments usually occur when we are not prepared. Things that happen at those times are not necessarily the things we want to happen. They are not under our control and that is where problems may become uncomfortable or unbearable.

Part of the reason some people are able to cope with things that are out of their element is they do not fear being out of their element. These individuals are not afraid of placing themselves in situations they are not comfortable with to see how they can actually deal with new experiences.

In January I chose to run a couple of warm weather marathons. Leaving the comfort zone of single digit temperatures for the heat of the Arizona dessert one weekend and the heat and humidity of Florida two weeks later. Not that I am implying the single digit temperatures are comfortable; meaning the higher temperatures would be out of my comfort zone related to training in a completely different climate. (Read more)

Landscape and wildlife photography brings me to many different places to make presentations. I get a lot of questions about the kinds of gear I use. Obviously, the camera equipment I use is important. However, what most people don’t realize is that the gear I wear in many regards is just as important as what I use to create my images.

In other words, my socks are JUST as important as my lenses, or filter systems. Your socks!? You’re kidding, right? Let me explain.

Every time I go out, I learn something, whether weakness or strength. If it's a new route or a route I've been on a bunch of times, it seems as though something is always revealed. A lot of the time is can be a humbling experience, and sometimes it can be an experience of perfection. These moments vary from time to time...but I guess that's what it's all about...allowing those moments in and using them for the greater good of your goals. And hopefully, someday, at some point, you'll get the opportunity to put to work everything you've learned, all the experiences you've had, to persevere past your limit.

This year has been a totally different year of climbing for me. It's the first year that i've actually tried to climb and climb past my "limit". What a trip this has been. It's forced me into positions that are totally out of my comfort level. During a day of training, my coach began to push me in this area "comfort", as he recognized that my climbing was "too comfortable". The result of this process, me taking a huge whipper off of a tiny icicle falling 25ft top speed. It was cool. The point: to stop climbing comfortably and push past your "safety blanket". We're getting there in this area. If you want to push in your sport, you can't stay at a "comfortable level". You need to put down your blanky and give 'er.

The night before a big comp, or any comp for that matter can be an emotional rollercoaster. At the world Cup in Saas Fee, we had a big athletes dinner, did some “testing” for a UIAA survey, mingled a bunch, had a big dinner, and then went home. (Oh, side note, I played a lot of ping pong and owned the table all night…beating all the euros! Yah!). When we got back to the apartement, I tuned my tools, tried to relax and then went to bed. The problem with bed was that my body still wasn’t used to the time change, so sleeping ended up being sort of minimal. So basically I layed in bed for a few hours, then got about 6hrs of sleep. Not bad, but not great. Sleep is important…especially before a big comp, or anything that requires energy and focus.

Isolation.

When my mom used to ask me what I want for Christmas it was always a quick easy answer, 'wool socks'. While to most, socks may not seem like an awe-inspiring present, but for me it was the perfect gift. Warm, comfortable. There are few better things than having toasty feet on a cold day.

Now-a-days, I ask for Carbon offsets as presents so my sock collection has dwindled a bit. Never fear, the sock fairy is near. I received a box of Wigwam socks from the North Pole today and immediately put on a pair. My feet were pleased with my behavior - especially since I had been wearing the same pair for the last three days.

Wigwam socks in the picture: 40 Below, Blue Ox, Cool-Lite Hiker Pro, Merino Comfort Hiker and The Ice Sock.

2010 is slated to be a year of many firsts for me. My first official adventure for the year was anti-gravity yoga. It is a mix of yoga, pilates, dance and acrobatics. You may have seen it recently on The View and the Today Show. An Anti-Gravity hammock hangs from the ceiling and acts as a soft trapeze, supporting you through various motions and poses.

At the beginning of the class, our instructor told us that we shouldn’t try and compare ourselves to other people in the class and simply do “Your Personal Best”. With this being my first experience with anti-gravitational anything, I was glad to hear it. I stretched, balanced, flew, hung upside down, along with so many more poses. And even though I wasn’t an expert at everything, I felt accomplished at having done My Personal Best. Not only did I add a new experience to my life, I had a
                                               great time in the process.

                                               What is “Your Personal Best”?

Runners are not the only creatures of habit, but I guess we have our share. It starts out innocently enough, holding on to every pair of shoes we have ever worn because we ran our best time in those shoes; holding on to every tee-shirt so that we can also hold onto the memory of a certain race or place we ran; hoarding finishers medals and other awards as if they were the national treasure.

We may also create and hold onto habits that affect our very being as a runner or athlete. Certain things that define our lifestyle might also be described as habits. For me, I discovered a simple phrase, thought to be a Kenyan philosophy, but I also can relate to one that is believed to be of Greek origin.

Wigwam Mills, A couple of months ago I sent you a letter about our team of Marines out here and wondered if you could send us any socks. To my surprise a large box of 30 socks arrived. I distributed them out to all the Marines. They were all really excited and believe it or not I have converted many of them on "nice" socks. Many of them use cheap socks and swear by them. However, now that they have worn wigwam socks they have "seen the light" Thanks so much again for supporting the Marines out here. We really appreciate it.

- Ben Crovella