Fall is my favorite time of the year to run.  Cool, crisp air, deep blue skies, trees bursting into color and the crunch, crunch, crunch of dried leaves under my feet.  Fall runs take me back in time.  They remind me of my glory days running cross country in high school when running seemed so effortless and easy.  They make me feel young again.
 
So, when Mike Cohen, coach of the Simsbury High School Cross Country Team, came into the store a few weeks ago to hang a poster announcing an "open 5k" after his Puma-Stratton Brook Cross Country Invitational, I put the date on my calendar.  How could I pass up the chance to relive my high school running days? 
 
Turns out several other adults were thinking the same thing as we toed the start line two Saturday's ago at Stratton Brook park.  My stomach was filled with butterflies as Mike explained the course and gave us our start commands.  I thought to myself, "What was I thinking - I am too old to be doing this!"  But once the gun was fired and I took my first few steps, it was like I traveled back in time.  Soon, I settled into my groove and felt a lightness in my step.  Well, at least until I hit the first of the three huge sand hills on the course.  Ugh! 
 
I had forgotten how challenging cross country courses could be (I later learned that Stratton Brook is one of the toughest around).  What kept me going, though, was the Simsbury High School Cross Country Team who stayed to cheer us on.  They formed a gauntlet near the wooden bridge and treated us to rock-star status as they erupted in whoops and applause each time we passed.  Despite being a stranger, every kid along the course stopped what they were doing to cheer me on and offer words of encouragement.  Their cheers inspired me to keep running all the way to the finish.  And while I was almost last, I still got that thrill of crossing the finish line knowing that I gave my all which is an empowering feeling. 
 
Congratulations to Mike and his team for putting on a super fun (and humbling!) race - and for sweeping the invitational in all races!  I look forward to reliving my youth and running again next year - only next year, I'm wearing flashy racing flats to complete the experience!

 

Live Fit!

Etonic Praya  
If the name Etonic sound familiar to anyone, it likely evokes memories of Bill Rogers and the 1980s.  After fading to obscurity in the 1990s, however, the company was purchased by an Italian firm in 2003 and again began producing cutting-edge running shoes.  Among those is a responsive, highly cushioned neutral shoe with a unique fit called the Praya.
 
While offering the cushion expected of a solid, high-mileage trainer, the low profile and responsiveness make it feel fast as well.  Soft, plush shoes are often less "responsive," meaning that they absorb more energy as opposed to providing energy return during your stride.  While a responsive shoe is feels firmer, it also allows you to push off the ground with more energy.
 
The Praya's versatility for distance running and speedwork make it perfectly suited to walking and jogging, as well.  Additionally, the shoe fits a great niche that has been left unfilled since Mizuno widened their shoes.  Yes, the Praya fits snug and narrow from heel to toe.  A runner I coach, who had been unable to find a shoe he loved since the Mizuno changeover, is now on his second pair of Prayas.  Despite the snug fit, there are few overlays and lots of open mesh, so narrow feet with bunions will feel right at home.

 

You can read Emmie's story here. 

You did it!  You set a goal, trained hard and conquered it.  Celebrate your achievement with a beautiful display of your race mementos. 
 
I recently brought my Hartford Half Marathon race photo, medal and number to Frame Dimensions (just a few doors down from Fleet Feet Sports in The Center) to be framed.  The result exceeded my expectations - the workmanship and attention to detail (rich fabric backgrounds, custom cut photo mat, spacers that make my medal and race number float) really makes the display pop. 
 
Come see it for yourself at the store - and ask us for a $25 gift certificate towards the custom framing of your medal, photo, finisher's certificate, t-shirt or other race memorabilia (maybe that last packet of Gu that got you over The Wall!).  Let the Frame Dimensions design professionals create the perfect way to permanently celebrate your accomplishment!
 
It's the perfect gift for the runner or walker in your life! 

West Hartford Center & Blue Back Square are "Tinting the Town Pink" from October 1-7 in support of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever.  Seventy-one merchants, including Fleet Feet Sports, will be going Pink to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. 
 
Take a stroll through town to see the pink window displays and pink tree lights.  Make a donation of $5.00 or more at any participating store/restaurant and receive a pink Ribbon Pin to show your support for this important cause. 
 
Also, Fleet Feet Sports will make a $5.00 donation to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation in honor of each person who wears pink and joins our "Run Pink" fun run on Wednesday, October 1 at 6:30pm.  Runners and walkers of all paces are welcome to join us for a 3 mile loop around town.

Join us on Wednesday, October 8 at 6:30pm for even more fun than usual during our 6:30pm Fun Run. 

 

To help "Light-Up Your Life" and ensure that we all stay visible this fall and winter, all reflective/safety apparel and accessories will be 10% off (from 6-7:30pm). 

 

In addition, Brooks Running Guru Gen will be making the trip from Boston in her flamin' Brian Sell wrapped car to help me launch Brook's new Fall apparel line now in the store.  12 lucky runners will win the chance to become a Brooks Labrat for the evening.  Sweet!

Our series of free clinics got off to a great start as 25 folks participated in our Foam Rolling Clinic lead by Glenn Marcella of The Center Studio.  Glenn had the crowd oooo'ing and ahhh'ing as he lead us through exercises that rolled everything from our calves and hamstrings to our hip flexors, IT bands and lateral muscles.  Foam rolling is a form of myofacial release that uses your body weight to massage your soft tissue, breaking adhesions and working through trigger points to relax the body.  The results are amazing!  Stop by the store and give it a try with one of our demo rollers.
 
I am also excited to announce our next two seminars.  On Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00pm, Jonathan Durham of Able Body Conditioning will show us how to get stronger this winter with a routine you can do at home.  Jon is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and a licensed cycling coach (USAC/expert).  His work focuses on helping clients improve endurance and efficiency, optimize performance through nutrition, increase power and speed and lose weight.  His assistant for the clinic will be Marisa Clapp - winner of the Celebrate! West Hartford 5k and figure-building competitor. 
 
On Tuesday, November 6 at 7:00pm, Gino Caro will be giving a seminar on running form drills, the importance of dynamic stretching, flexibility and strength training for runners and injury prevention (also called "pre-hab").  The class will be a combination of lecture and try-it-yourself exercises and drills.  Gino is a certified personal trainer, a master's 400 meter sprinter and youth track and field coach (he has coached some of the best up-and-coming athletes in the country). 
 
Please RSVP by calling or emailing us at the store:  860-233-8077 or steph@fleetfeethartford.com.

 

One marathon charity training group that I've had the fortune of getting to know this summer is Team MAD (Making a Difference).  Team MAD, captained by the fearless Jody Barr (who looks more like a teddy bear than a marathoner) began in 2006 as a group of four individuals running their first marathon to raise money for the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress.  This year, the program has grown to 52 "heroes" whose goal it is to run the ING Hartford Marathon and raise $50,000 for My Sister's Place, a homeless shelter that serves over 6,000 women and children each year in Hartford. 
 
Earlier today, Team MAD invited myself and their other favorite meteorologist, Scot Haney from Channel 3, to meet them for a run in Elizabeth Park.  Although Scot "forgot" his running shoes and had to drive alongside the runners, he did interview the team for a fun story to be broadcast next week on "Better Connecticut". 
 
All of us in the Fleet Feet Community wish the Team MAD runners a great run on race day and thank you for running to make a difference. 
 
To donate to Team MAD and My Sister's Place, click here. 

Now you have a choice!  We will be hosting 2 fun run times each Wednesday.  The 5:30pm run is returning and will be led by Coach Ingrid.  Stephanie and other Fleet Feet Staffers including Duncan "Tall Man" Gerrity) will lead the 6:30pm run.  Both runs begin and end at the store and are open to everyone! 

Routes range between 3-5 miles, and walkers and runners of all ages (kids too!) and paces are welcome.  

 

Coach Schuyler continues his free weekly "track" workouts at 6:30pm.  Meet at the Saint Joseph College track (off of Asyulm Ave).     These workouts are designed for runners of ALL abilities.  The goal is to introduce you to different types of running (intervals, hills, tempo runs) and help you get stronger and faster.  This is your opportunity to get professional coaching for free - and meet some great fellow runners.