Wigwam Blog

Mail: Hail to the Trail Runner II

We get mail from our dedicated fans, telling us various stories about how their Wigwam socks have made a difference.

Here is an email that we would like to share with you from two dedicated racers and Wigwam fans.

Dear Wigwam,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for making great socks and let you know a few of the things we’ve been putting them through.

My wife, Sara and I are competitive runners. We have participated in ultramarathons, trail, mountain and snowshoe running races across Canada and the U.S.  We have also done extensive multi-day fastpacking (running with our camping gear). In addition, we have also competed in a few dogsled races in our spare time.

During this time, we have been thrilled with the way our Wigwam socks have performed.  They are the most comfortable and durable socks we have ever worn and would not feel confident competing in anything less.  Most recently, we competed in the Haliburton Forest Ultra on September 8, 2007.  Sara won the women’s 50km race and I was second overall in the 50 mile race (my first 50 miler).  The course was on very technical trails with many long, steep ascents and descents.  We loved the way our socks fit, provided comfort and kept our feet dry.  Our feet and bodies took a beating, but we were amazed that we both came through our races with absolutely no blisters or foot problems at all (Note: we both wore the Wigwam TrailRunner II).  This was a true indicator in our books about the quality of Wigwam socks and how well they perform.

Thanks again for making fantastic socks and we look forward to continuing to have many great new adventures in the future with our Wigwams!

Sincerely,

Derrick S. and Sara M.

SPAFFORD HEALTH AND ADVENTURE

Have a Wigwam sock story? Email it to us and maybe we will publish it on our blog.

Wigwam Mountain Bike Challenge

The Wigwam Mountain Bike Challenge took place on October 7th. Of the many sporting events that Wigwam sponsors, this one takes place right here in our hometown of Sheboygan, WI.

You might be asking yourself: “Wisconsin has Mountains?” We don’t have mountains, but due to the glacial activity that created Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes, we certainly have hilly and rocky terrain in parts.

This fall day felt more like a balmy summers day as temps reached well into the 80’s, thus making the Mountain Bike Challenge more than a mere challenge of overcoming the terrain.

Mountain Bikers come from all over the country to participate in this event. There are many different racing classes that range from beginners (Citizen), to advanced (Elite) riders. Within the levels of experience, riders are also sub-classified by age groups. The races then run the various experience levels at different times throughout the day, so the course does not become congested with a myriad of riders at various riding levels. There is also a kids course, which also runs races at various age group levels, making this event a fun day for the entire family.

If you want to know more about this event, check out their website here.

Or if you would like to see the posted results, click here.

There will be a posted video of the event forthcoming, right here on wigwam.com.

(attending) my first IRONMAN event: Part 3

My thoughts on the Ironman: It is about the story of the individual. Each one of the participants has a reason for becoming an Ironman. Overcoming the limitations of the human condition and pushing on to a new level of achievement. Yet...it is also a collective consciousness. The culture that is Ironman would not exist without the desire for those individuals to attain a piece of it. It is no wonder that these events book up for the following year, the day after the event. 

If you have not attended one of these events, you should. If you are athletic in any regards, attending one of these events will no doubt leave you with loads of inspiration, drive and determination to achieve more for yourself.

I am working on a video feature that encapsulates the experience of an Ironman competition. When I post it, I will add a link to one of the feature banners on our homepage...so please check back. In the meantime, I put together a 30 second clip that focuses on the individual surrounded by the culture of an Ironman event.

(attending) my first IRONMAN event: Part 2

Day Two:

The day before the event and the city was a buzz. The finish line was being set up, sponsors were displaying their products or giving away samples. The overall feel was excitement and anticipation.

Outside the Monona Terrace there were media events going on. Professional athletic trainers were sharing their tips and stories on preparing for an Ironman event. Participating athletes were either bringing their bikes to the bike/run transition area or riding about the city, while others were getting in a last minute swim in Lake Monona. Perhaps to get a feel for the body of water? I am not sure what the rules are in that regard, but there were more than half a dozen swimmers out on the course.

I spent a portion of the afternoon scouting out parts of the running and bike trails that are on the course. Not yet closed to the general public; there were many people out and about, participating in the Ironman spirit. I was starting to get a feel for how late this event is going to run when I saw light towers attached to generators along the path. I personally prefer to run at night, but running at night during the Ironman means that your are more than likely in your 10 to 12th hour.

During the evening hours, the streets of Madison were slightly quieter than the night before. The athletes and the many family and friends who support them, no doubt needed to get plenty of rest prior to the 6:30 a.m. start time. I too followed suit.

More to come on the event day blog,

Jake

(attending) my first IRONMAN event

Day One:

Ironman Wisconsin takes place in Madison. In case you have never been to Madison, it is a city that rarely shuts off at night. The University of Wisconsin draws those seeking an education to the city and with that comes a culture of energy, street musicians, artists and memorable characters.

The city and the surrounding areas are perfect for an Ironman event. Madison is situated between two lakes (Lake Monona and Lake Mendota) on an isthmus, thus making it easy to conduct all three portions of the triathlon.

On friday evening I attended the Welcome dinner ( a.k.a. “The carb-load dinner”) at the Monona Terrace. It was an amazingly large event that featured attendees in the following categories: Oldest male (72), Oldest female (65), Youngest male (18), Youngest female (20) and the most weight lost while training for an Ironman event (80 lbs.). Mexico is in large attendance with 350 participants, with one of them making this event the 50th Ironman that they have participated in.

Overall the evening was a fantastic meeting place for all involved. More stories of determination, triumph and motivation were shared during the event, thus raising the aura of the room to a level that could motivate the triathlon neophyte to continue pursuing the Ironman dream.

As an added treat, I also had the opportunity to meet Ironman legend Paula Newby-Fraiser. She had some interesting stories to share and was very encouraging about the media coverage that Wigwam is conducting during this event.

Podcast Episode 3: A passion for activity.

A new podcast episode has been posted on the Wigwam website.

A passion for activity: In 1980 Roy Pirrung changes his mind about his life style and begins running. Barley able to run two blocks, this marks the start of a journey to becoming an Ultra-marathon runner and a USATF Masters Hall of Fame inductee.
An inspiration to all seeking fitness.

You can directly access the episode here, or you can view our episode guide here.

365 Days without a “Lost time” accident and counting

The culture of Wigwam has always nurtured a healthy and safe work environment. As a result, we have reached the 365-day mark with no lost time. What that means is that our employees have avoided work related injuries; where time was lost in recuperating from on the job injuries, over the last year.
Until alternative fuel vehicles are sold to the mass market, we are showing our appreciation for such safe and mindful employees, by awarding each employee a $10 prepaid gas card.

Photo (L-R):
Robert Chesebro Jr.
Jerry Vogel
Sherry Sommers

Wigwam Fans: Imagine imaging yourself

Are you a fan of Wigwam socks? Is your sock drawer over flowing because you love socks THAT much? So much so, that you have a pair for every use, need or occasion? Do you travel or go on various outdoor adventures often? Do you have a digital camera and take pictures everywhere you go?

Well then, we would love to have an image of you and your Wigwam socks while you are out and about, doing whatever type of activity and/or adventure that you do.

We are starting an online gallery of Wigwam sock fans. So, if you send us an image of yourself at an interesting landmark, destination or surrounding; with your Wigwams on while showing the “knitted in” name/logo; we will then post your image to our online gallery. 

Amaze your family and friends with your keen sense of fashion, while at the same time showing off your latest adventure/vacation photos.

Email your image to us here.

More to come...

Why Are We So Addicted to Adventure Racing?

By Robyn Benincasa, Team Merrell/Wigwam

The following article was penned by our good friend Robyn Benincasa. With her kind permission, we are posting this article to our blog. We think you will find her mindset to be inspiring. If you like what you read, also check out the podcast that we conducted with her on our TRIBE link.

What makes Adventure Racers so rabid about a sport in which there are so many variables that it boggles the mind and soul? What drives us to fly around the world for adventures we know nothing about, in places we've never seen, and with no guarantee of crossing the finish line? I suppose that there are as many different reasons for racing as there are individuals, but I do believe there is a common thread among us, and that is the humanity of it all.

I made the jump from Triathlon to Adventure Racing in the mid 90s because I was intrigued by a sport that relied less on negative splits and ripped abs than on wits, skill, teamwork, and the human spirit. My first race was the Raid Gauloises in 1994, and although we finished dead last, I was hooked for life. Adventure Racing is like a rubics cube of athleticism, human synergy, adversity management skills and sheer guts. If you're missing one of those essential elements, you're sunk. But when you have a team that has that special ability to rearrange the puzzle in just right way, it's a magical experience beyond description.

The beauty of Adventure Racing is that at the end of the race, you know you’ve accomplished so much more than merely conquering a difficult course and testing your personal limits--you've actually proven yourself in life's most important adventure: being a great human being. Adventure Racing allows us to bring out the hero, the warrior, the healer, the leader, the genius, and the compassionate friend in each of us. In a successful Adventure Racing endeavor we are our very best, most enlightened selves, and we can see that reflected in the eyes of our teammates. This is the reason we all sign up for the world's most painful but life-affirming races again and again.

Yes, the places we go and the things we see in this sport are often truly inspiring, which is much of the reason we all plunk down that first big entry fee. But somewhere "out there", as the challenge becomes too overwhelming for one tiny speck of a human being on the vast face of the earth and we allow ourselves to experience the comfort and strength of silently sharing one heart and one mind with three other human beings, we are both transformed and transcendent. Which leads to the eternal question for every one of us--"When's the next race?"

Xo Robyn

For the latest information on the adventures of Robyn, check out her blog at:
The Dirt

Tell us your Wigwam sock story:

ROCK OF AGES! SOCK OF AGES!

We get some pretty amazing stories and images sent to us, where our socks made all the difference in an event or situation. We would love to hear yours.
Here is a recent story and a somewhat blurry image from a dedicated Wigwam sock wearer.
Howdy, I wanted to let you guys know that a few weeks ago I went for a hike and dropped my boots (ok, failed to throw them completely across a stream) and could not recover them from a down stream waterfall.  This was over 3 miles from the car while hiking the Gorge in Oregon, so I had to hike out "sans boots".

I ended up hiking, in your socks with a bit of duct tape, on a decently rough trail and had no problems with my feet. They stayed warm in the 40 degree rain and I did not get any cuts.  In any case, I thought I'd share as your socks now adorn my wall of things I've used until they can't be used anymore.  The socks actually could be used again, but look cooler hanging there being muddy.    -Sam