The Automotive Purchase Journey

Back in the day things were different.  The Manufacturer and the Dealer had more information that we had.  I loved going to the Detroit and Toronto Auto Shows in the winter to pick up new vehicle catalogues.  I poured over them endlessly learning the minutae about each model.  Those were good times!  My wife didn't enjoy the piles of old catalogues though.  Thankfully my job in automotive marketing and advertising allowed me to keep them in my office.

As we all know, the big change in the relationship between purchaser and new vehicle seller is that the Consumer now has more information than the sales consultants in the Dealership.  While not absolutely true...Manufacturers spend large budgets on product training...Google Search puts a lot of information at our fingertips.  And in the process, the automotive purchase journey has changed:

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

A little running music

I don't run with music. I've never been comfortable with earbuds in my ear.  And I run in the city...I want to hear vehicles around me...and the bad guys trying to sneak up on me.  But I do like running music...or to be more accurate, music that pumps me up. 

Heading out to a race I love Dave Matthews 'Two Step', Led Zeppelin's 'Ramble On', Joe Zawinul's 'Procession' and Al Dimeola's 'Flight over Rio'.  Those are my standbys.  But there are a others that I turn to when I really want to get crank it up:  

Sinnerman, Nina Simone.  Loved it in The Thomas Crown Affair...love this extended version even more

Boogie Wonderland Extended Mix, Earth Wind and Fire.  They could have called this 'Happy Feet'. It sure gets my legs turning over.

Thunderstruck, Two Cellos.  OK, AC/DC nailed it with Thunderstruck but this is one of the best versions ever!

What's your favourite running music?

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Stumbled but didn't fall

Last Saturday at the RBC Run for the Kids 15K I stumbled.  Badly it turned out.  But I didn't fall. In the process I learned a lot about mental toughness.  And how to change strategy quickly.  We can plan all we want...then life happens.

As you might have surmised I didn't have a great running day Saturday morning.  I've thought about it a lot...including the seemingly endless time out on the course while I stumbled along.  What happened?

Well...what happened is that I finished.  I raised over $500 for kids mental health with your support.  I got another Finisher Medal.  Probably the hardest one I've ever owned...well, maybe the second hardest...the Reggae Marathon Finisher's Medal back in 2009 was hard won.  Both tested me mentally and physically.  And that's life.  Despite the best made plans, some days it's how fast you adapt that keeps you alive.  So what did I learn?

• No matter how slow you're moving, keep moving!  
• Pay attention to what's going on.  When something doesn't work as planned, recognize it and adapt or adjust quickly.  
• Keep your head up and breathe.  It's the end goal that matters...
• Relax...you get to run again tomorrow.  Only death and taxes are certain.  So after you pay your taxes, and assuming you're not dead, you get to run again.

Potestas in meipsum!  That the Latin version of my personal motto:  Strength within self. That came to me around Kilometer 7.5 when I passed the sign noting we were half way home.  Yes I stumbled...but I sure didn't fall!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Hard Running

I had a week of hard running getting back to it. Some of the pain was caused by the realization that I had two weeks to get back into running shape for the RBC Run for the Kids on September 17.  I needed to ramp up quickly...that hurt as expected...but I also wanted to not break anything...that messed with my head!  Who knew hard running was so hard!

I'm pretty sure now that runners are high level narscisists.  Or is it just me?  On a run last Saturday I found myself on a stretch of Bloor West Village where every storefront was plate glass.  I spent more time looking at my reflection than thinking about running. There was a big disconnect between how I looked in my mind and what the mirrored windows reflected.  Whoa!

I'm watching my food intake this week as well.  As is my habit, I've cut out the beer and alcohol. Man is that cold one on Saturday afternoon going to taste great!  I've got some dry roasted peanuts ready-to-go as well.  College football Saturday afternoon here we come!  Sticking with chicken, rice and steamed vegetables this week as well.

It's looking like my type of running conditions this Saturday morning.  Temperatures are forecast for low teens at the 7:30 am start.  And no rain although I actually like running in the rain.  I'm going to use my hydration backpack for this run.  I like PowerAid and am pretty sure that won't be available at the aid stations.  Plus I can avoid the sloppy water-in-a-paper-cup drill.  Why can't every race hydrate like Reggae Marathon:  water and electrolyte replacement in a sealed plastic pouch?

OK, enough jabbering...back to some hard running.  Wait...supposed to be tapering for the rest of this week.  Can't wait until Saturday!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy