Greetings all from Marshall Ulrich, Dreams in Action, and Crocs fan! I’ve owned Crocs for several years and have loved them. In 2008 Crocs was a sponsor of Running America, a 3,063-mile crossing from San Francisco, CA to New York City, NY that I completed on November 4, 2008. What a joy to have a direct relationship with such a great company with fantastic products! When I developed plantar fasciitis 700 miles into the run, I was temporarily laid up in a hotel in Utah. The next day, when I started off again, the only thing I could wear were my Crocs. They saved me! I even wear Crocs out on the farm cleaning out corn bins: yes, I’m a runner and a farmer, along with a being a Speaker, Author, Trainer, and Guide. Crocs Prepair footware have greatly enhanced my recovery from Running America. They distribute the pressure across my foot, reducing pressure where I have scar tissue from the plantar fasciitis as well as where I had a tendon tear on the outside of my foot. Psychologically, the Crocs Prepair footwear put my mind at ease, as I know that I’m doing all I can to help my feet recover. Thanks Crocs!

Now, a look back at some lessons learned - or things reaffirmed - when I climbed Mount Everest.

Lessons Learned - Mount Everest
In 2004 I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to climb Mount Everest from the northern/Tibetan side. I was successful in my climb; that is, I made it to the summit and returned safely to my home and family. I learned a lot things climbing Mount Everest. I wanted to share a few lessons with you that I hope will provide some inspiration and motivation for YOU to go out there and put YOUR dreams in action.

First I reaffirmed for myself what I always tell people: if you can dream it, you can do it. I dreamed of climbing Mount Everest since I was 5 years old. I didn’t get to put my dream into action until I was 52 years old, but I never let go of the dream. My ultrarunning, adventure racing, and other mountaineering experience - plus some age and, I hope, wisdom - prepared me for Everest. I was always in action. Always working towards the next goal.

Second, I learned to appreciate my family even more. Without them, I never would have had the opportunity to climb Everest. My parents taught me a work ethic that has been essential in all that I do. My children - while angry with me at times - always love and support me. And my wife does the same: taking care of things at home while I’m away, among thousands of other things. None of us accomplish things in life by ourselves.

Third, I realized again the importance of facing challenges and doing for others. Like so many other opportunities, Everest was the biggest challenge I had faced (at the time; since then, there was Running America, but that’s another story). For me, challenges are essential to the ongoing discovery process that brings me closer to being a whole, and complete, person. In keeping with this discovery process, the fundraising for the impoverished in the world (supporting the Relgious Teachers Filippini) gives purpose to what I am doing. It also added to the motivation and focus I needed on the mountain. The more I can do to help others the more meaning there is in my life, and the more I discover about myself. So, when people ask, “Why did you climb Everest?” the importance of challenges and doing for others are a part of the answer.

Finally, once again I was reminded of the importance of gratitude. When I reached the summit and was able to talk to my wife, Heather, via satellite phone, tears weld up in my eyes. I had realized a dream that I carried with me for 47 years. With her support (as well as many, many others) that dream had come true. My heart was full of gratitude and, for a moment, I thought of everyone in my life that had supported me over the last 52 years. For whatever reason, I was graced with being on the top of Everest. I will never know the reason that I was given that gift. I do know that those who care about me and love me were with me in spirit, and that made it especially significant. Something that I will surely never forget.

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Today, we have Christopher Aretz - the winner of our Prepair™ to be Bolder sweepstakes. Check out what he had to say about our Prepair™ Collection:

A few months ago, I heard about a new product coming to market for pre/post runs or any athletic performance. Some had sent me information on the new Prepair™ collection. My intrigue and quest for product information lead me to the Crocs website. While doing so research on the Prepair™ collection, I saw the link to register for the Prepair™ to be Bolder sweepstakes. I decide to enter since I was interested in the product and would love the opportunity to run in the Bolder Boulder- one of the premier road races in the country. Imagine my surprise when I was notified a few months later that I was the grand prize winner.

One of the most notable things in winning the contest was dealing with all of the people at Crocs. Planning the trip, from beginning to end, was easy and comfortable- just like their products. Everyone I worked with was just as I imagined from my image of the Crocs brand. The entire trip was perfectly planned and Bolder Boulder was an excellent run. It was extraordinarily well organized and was laid out on a beautiful, scenic course.

As a marathon pacer for Pacer Jim’s Pace Team, I wore the Prepair slide before AND after the Pittsburgh marathon. The Slide help reduce fatigue before the run and kept me out of my running shoes until the moments leading up to the race when I put them in a bag check so that I would be able to “Slide” them on immediately after finishing to ensure a fast and proper recovery. Immediately upon putting the Slide on, all of my foot discomfort went away. It was as if I hadn’t run earlier. They hold true to their word in the energy return, support, and cushioning. All three are crucial to a quick recovery. I have followed the same regimen for each race as well as my training runs. BolderBoulder was no exception. I wore my Slide before the run and immediately after the run and for the rest of the day. In addition to the recovery qualities, they are also a great looking sandal. At the post-race Expo, I had several people ask about where they could get a pair. I highly recommend any of the Prepair collection to anyone from the occasionally jogger to the chronic racer. This is a product that I really believe in. You’ll feel the benefit from the moment so slide your feet into your first pair.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Prepair™ team right here on the Prepair™ blog!

Last month the Cal Triathlon team raced their way to a second consecutive men’s national championship and the women’s team finished fourth, leading to an overall 2nd place finish at this years collegiate triathlon national championships. The Cal Tri team is the largest triathlon team in the nation and perennially one of the best.

Now, Crocs Prepair will play a role in their recovery after the grueling events. The Cal Tri team will wear the Prepair shoes after each practice and event to help their bodies recover and decrease muscular effort and fatigue. We are proud to work with such great student athletes and look forward to helping out with their continued success!

Congratulations Cal Tri!

“I always wear my Crocs shoes after races and after training; there is nothing more comfortable. I’m thrilled that Crocs now has a recovery shoe specifically designed for athletes.”

— Matty Reed, 2008 US Olympic Triathlete and USAT’s 2008 Male Athlete of the Year

We’ve been lucky to be able to work with such a great Athlete like Matty Reed and appreciate his support and recommendation of The Prepair™ collection as his recovery running shoe of choice!