I've been a runner since March of 1972 -- I went out for the track team as a freshman in high school. Like most kids, I loved baseball, football and basketball. I enjoyed playing these sports but didn't have much talent, to say the least. We are talking NO HITS in two years of little league, although I did get on base on balls (and the odd wild pitch that hit me!). In hoops, my height made me a good 6th grade rebounder, but my shooting? Non existent.
So it was gratifying to be the #1 junior varsity miler for Longmeadow High School in Western Massachusetts as a freshman. Training hurt like hell, and racing was worse, but I quickly became addicted to the thrill of crossing the finish line first, which I managed to do twice that first spring. I started with a 5:23 mile on my first outing and improved to 5:10 by the end of the season. It's hard to believe in retrospect, but it was heady stuff at age 15; I fell in love with track in general and the mile in particular.
I've been a screen printer since 1978. As an undergraduate at UMass, I found that the straightest line between an empty wallet and enough money for beer and girls was printing T-Shirts for dorms, clubs and the like. I've been at it ever since.
So here I am, still running and still in the custom T-Shirt printing business, as Manx Media. I work with David Perkin up in North Portland, Oregon, in the St. John's neighborhood, and Mats Stromberg in West Oakland, CA. These fine fellows are my colleagues of many years, expert journeymen who pull the prints. I handle all the logistics and graphics.
I ask for the chance to quote on any and all custom shirt printing jobs, we will do a great job and provide stellar service. Check out our web page and the Manx Media blog. Happy running, and do get in touch when you need shirts!
Steve Lafler
Manx Media
503-213-3671
