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I grew up on the east-side of Cincinnati in a small town called Mariemont (so small it was actually called a village). My high school graduating class had 83 kids which was considered a big class in a school that totaled 400 kids for grades 7-12. Everyone knew everyone and most stayed in the Cincinnati area after college graduation. Once my parents moved to CT and I stopped going "home" for holidays, I lost touch with many (except Missy, one of my oldest and dearest friends from pre-school who keeps me in the Mariemont Loop).
Flash forward 20 years (gulp!) and 1,000+ miles, and a fit woman approaches me in the store after making eye contact. I sense that I know her, but assume that it's just because she's been in the store before until she says, "I think we went to school together. I'm Cindy Pope." Instantly, my mind flashed back to the sleepovers at her house and to the volleyball and basketball teams we played on together as uncoordinated kids. What fun memories!
After talking with Cindy who is now a professor at Central Connecticut State University (and guest lecturer at Yale and author of an upcoming book!), I marveled at how much we had grown and changed and experienced since our childhood, but also at how alike we still were. Seems Cindy is a loyal Fleet Feet customer and triathlete for a local Team in Training group. She reminded me of the saying, "A fit woman is a powerful woman". It was inspiring to see her again, and I look forward to joining her for a few training runs so we can catch-up on old times!
Live Fit!
Stephanie |
| Schuyler's Shoe Review |
 On June 1, Adidas released the latest addition to their popular line of Supernova shoes: the Supernova Sequence. The Sequence replaces the old Supernova Control which was a popular shoe here at Fleet Feet Sports. The Sequence is lighter and has a lower, more stable base which provides an more comfortable ride than its predecessor. Like many shoes this years, the heel has been  "podularized" (discrete heel pods instead of one continuous unit) and given a "ForMotion" design that allows for a more natural heel strike and heel-to-toe transition because it is able to separate from the rest of the midsold and rotate slightly to match an individual's unique footstrike angle. This helps take pressure off of the knees and provides for a smooth, comfy ride. This shoe has a seamless upper on the inside and accommodates and orthotic or footbed like Superfeet well. It is slightly wider in the toebox than the Supernova Cushion, but still has that nice high-cut, padded heel that helps to prevent heel slippage. It is a great shoe for those who need moderate stability and are heel foot strikers (though it would work well for forefoot strikers as well). |
| Half Marathon Training Program |
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Congratulations to the men and women who started training for the ING Hartford Marathon this past Sunday. You toughed it through the heat and humidity on your first 4 mile run this last Sunday. Way to go!
To borrow a line from John Bingham, "The miracle isn't that you're going to finish the race, but that you had the courage to start." |
| Men! Join the Fleet Feet Frat! |
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Fleet Feet Sports may have been a store just for women when it opened in 1997, but today we carry the latest and greatest shoes, apparel and accessories for men too. To help spread the word that Fleet Feet is for guys too, we're starting a not-so-secret club for men called the Fleet Feet Frat (Triple F, if you like). Or maybe you'd rather be known as the Fleet Feet Dudes?
Don't worry, there are no dues or meetings or hazing, just an informal club for men connected via email who want to be more involved in the local fitness community. We'll have a fun 3-4 mile run/walk each week, team shirts to race in and volunteer at local running events (our debut event will be the Women's Triathlon on September 14). Everyone volunteering at our first event will receive an awesome Fleet Feet Sports running hat!
Email dudes@fleetfeethartford.com if you're interested in joining - and let us know if you'd like to be on the "executive council" (looks great on your resume!) to help plan and coordinate activities and such.
The first group run will be Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30pm. Meet at the store. |
| Women! Be a Fleet Feet Chick! |
We can't let the guys have all the fun, so we're starting a not-so-secret club for women too! There are no dues or meetings or try-outs, just a chnce to meet other women like you who want to get/stay fit and give back to the community. We'll also meet on Tuesday evenings for a 3-4 mile run/walk, have a cool team shirt and volunteer at local running events (first event TBD).
Email chicks@fleetfeethartford.com if you're interested in joining - and let us know if you'd like to be on the "executive council".
The first group run will be Wednesday, July 30at 6:30pm. Meet at the store.
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| Kids! Join the Fleet Feet Zoom Team |
Kids can get in the action too as Fleet Feet Sports hosts our own Zoom Team in conjunction with the Hartford Marathon Foundation. Our Zoom Team is open to all kids aged 7-14. Membership is free and kids will get a free entry and special VIP treatment at every Hartford Marathon Foundation event.
Our first goal will be to complete the Hartford Marathon Foundation/ING Run for Something Better Program which means meeting 12 times over a period of 8 weeks (beginning Monday, August 11) to run 1 mile. Then, on Friday, October 10, we will run the last 1.1 miles of the Hartford Marathon course to complete our first half marathon!
This promises to be a fun way for kids to get active, meet new friends and do something they didn't think they could do. Practices will be on Monday's and Wednesday's at 6:00pm. First practice is August 11.
Kids who have some running experience are invited to join our Thursday night runs where we'll cover 2-3 miles.
If your child is interested in becoming part of the Fleet Feet Zoom Team or you would like to help out with this program (must be 16 or older - volunteer hours given to seniors), please email me at steph@fleetfeethartford.com. |
| In Store Now... |
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 Montrail Molokai & Molokini Sandals
Sufferers of plantar fasciitis and foot pain rejoice - we have the flip-flop for you! The Montrail Molokai (men) and Molokini (women) sandals have a thermo-moldable footbed with a built-in arch that provides the ultimate in cushioning and support. This is the one flip-flop that is good for your feet. It's also the one shoe all the Fleet Feet Staffers are buying for themselves!
Garmin 405:  The ultimate in training technology! We now have the Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled sport watch from Garmin (with and without the heart rate monitor). It's loaded with features such as time, distance, pace, calories, and a touch bezel that lets you quickly scroll and select features on the run. Each run is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data to see how you've improved. You can even download courses from Internet sites like mapmyrun.com, share courses wirelessly with a friend or race against a virtual partner. Sweet!
Water Belts & Bottles
Our selection of hydration belts and bottles is growing. Whether you like hand-helds or belts, one large bottle or four smaller ones, we have one to suit your needs and preferences - and the Gatorade Endurance Formula to keep your tank topped off even on the hottest of days! |
| Wednesday Evening Fun Run |
 Social running at its best! Join Coach Ingrid this Wednesday at 5:30pm for a fun, casual run that starts and ends at the store. Routes range between 3-5 miles, and walkers and runners of all ages (kids too!) and paces are welcome. Beginning Wednesday, July 30, the run will start at 6:30pm (Fleet Feet Frat and Chicks invited!). |
| Bra Week - Aug 11-16 |
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Women - mark your calendars for our first annual Bra Week! All bras (sport and daily wear) will be on-sale.
Over 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Come to Fleet Feet Sports and meet with a Bra-Fit specialist to find the right one for you! |
| Saucony Spike Night - August 26 |
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Attention all XC runners! We're having a special event just for you. More details to follow soon, but reserve your evening from 7-9pm to join us for this fun event complete with a special guest speaker, refreshments, goody bags for all, discounts on spikes and gifts-with-purchase.
See the latest spike and racing flat technology and hang out with your friends (and competitors!)
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| Featured Article |
| The Extra Mile |
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You may have noticed that this newsletter has a new name, "The Extra Mile". The name struck me as I was driving down Farmington Ave the other day on my way to work. Despite the heat and sticky humidity, I must have seen a dozen people exercising: couples walking, moms jogging as their kids run or rode their bikes beside them and runners of all ages and paces. I was so proud to see everyone out and thought how lucky I am to work in a business that lets me help people be fit - and go that extra mile because they have the right shoes and gear.
May the stories and snipets in this newsletter and the expert knowledge and service we offer at the store, always help you go that extra mile! |
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| <$30
Shoe Sale |
To make room for new shoes, we are selling a random lot of shoes for $30 or less. Shoes include a size 11 Nike Football Cleat, women's soccer shoes, aerobic high-top shoes, Spira shoes and a few other random goodies. Great bargins - get them while they last! |
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