Hello fam, it’s me Bandit… Your boi.
New Years is a weird time. No doubt about that. On one hand it’s just another day, and on the other—we’re all suddenly forced to set new goals, make in/out lists, chant affirmations into the mirror, evaluate our entire being, have a mini existential crisis, etc. We’re supposed to start the New Year well-rested and healthy, but also pop bottles way past our bedtime… on a school night no less?! The math simply does not math, but ain’t that just a microcosm for a year in and of itself?
Years are a lot like miles. (This is our Forest Gump moment, go with us here.) There’s easy ones and tough ones, long ones and short ones. Ones that make you feel high and others you can’t even make sense of. Some where you meet new friends, some where you get dropped, and some where you drop others. Ones you can’t wait to be over, others you never want to end, and many you feel pretty indifferent about. Some where you get your heart broken, some where you fall in love all over again...
In both years and miles, growth occurs. We go a little further, we learn a little more, and we try to do a little better the next time. Whether with ourselves or others, running can feel competitive and life can too. Like your easy miles, let time carry the load. Be patient, take small steps, trust the process.
We’re not really in the biz of telling folks what to do; that’s not how we see the world or our role in it. We’re here to make some damn good running products, throw the occasional party, tell inspiring stories, support athletes, and push the sport an inch or two forward with everything we got in our Bandit bodies.
All we want to say is keep finding that hour in your day. Keep lacing up your shoes. Keep opening your front door. Keep starting your watch. Keep sacrificing your toenails. Keep timing your meals. Keep staying hydrated. Keep taking rest days. Keep signing up for races. Keep PR'ing. Keep DNF'ing. Keep finding meaning. Keep sharing miles with friends. Keep looking both ways. Keep taking it easy on a Friday night (or not and keep sucking it up in the morning anyway). Keep giving kudos. Keep going to PT. Keep begrudgingly stretching. Keep running in circles. Keep going out and back. Keep setting goals. And then more goals. And then some more goals after that. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Whatever you do... Keep going.
Happy New Year,
Bandit
