It is amazing what people can do when they work together.  Like build an entire house in 106 hours.  
 
This past Saturday, Jody Barr, president of Team M.A.D, a running charity group that Fleet Feet Sports is involved with, invited my parents and I to join his team on the set of Extreme Makeover Home Edition.  Ty Pennington and his Extreme Makeover Design Team (with the help of thousands of volunteers) are building a new home for the Girard Family in Voluntown, CT.  
 
Because of their dedication to help those in need throughout Connecticut, Team M.A.D was selected to be a part of the Braveheart March - the sea of volunteers who march to the home site to kick-off the demolition of the existing home (which we did "Medieval-style"!).  For the march, we were joined by many of the builders, volunteers and community members - nearly 600 people in all, making our "blue sea" one of the biggest in the show's history.  It was an incredibly moving sight.  Despite over 4 hours of filming outside in the sub-20 degree temperatures, you couldn't help but feel the warmth created by the love and kindness of so many people gathered to help one in need. 
 
As I looked around the set and at a copy of the build schedule, I was awestruck by the scope of the production.  There were bulldozers, cement mixers, piles of lumber, stone, insulation and other building materials, tents, porta-potties, spotlights, generators, portable heaters, propane tanks, food (much of it homemade) and so much more.  All donated. 
 
Donated too were the time and talents of so many tradesmen and women including excavators, framers, builders, roofers, painters, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, landscapers, and inspectors.  It's easy to think that as an individual we can never give enough to make an impact, but here at this worksite, I realized that even the smallest contribution was critical to the success of the project. 
 
I left the site wishing that I could have been more involved, but then I realized that there are so many people in need.  Sometimes those needs are as simple as a pair of socks or boots to keep feet warm and dry through the winter.  Shoes and socks are right-up our alley here at Fleet Feet Sports so now through December 31, we are hosting a "Boot and Sock Drive".  Our goal is to collect 100 pairs of gently used boots and new socks to donate to Rose Fichera-Eagen and her "Saturdays in the Park" program which distributes brown-bag lunches near the Bushnell Park Carousel to people who would otherwise go hungry because soup kitchens are closed on weekends. 
 
We have partnered with Balega, makers of our favorite running sock, to kick-off the drive with 50 pairs of new Balega socks, bringing us halfway to our sock goal.  Thank you Balega! 
 
Now, we need your help.  Take a moment to go into your closet, basement or garage and find a pair of boots (kids or adults) your family has outgrown or doesn't need any more and bring them to the store.  Our donation bin is in front of the store to make drop-offs easy.  Every pair counts!  And when you are doing your holiday shopping this year, consider buying an extra pair of socks to donate as well.  It's a simple gift, but one that will be much appreciated. 
 
Give the gift of happy feet this season and be a part of the miracle that occurs when individuals collectively pool their resources and talents to accomplish a much larger goal.  It's the power of people. 
 
Live Fit,
Steph
 
P.S. The show is scheduled to air on ABC on Sunday, February 8.  For photos and more about the build, read Bruno's Blog.

The one thing that motivates me to get out for a run on a cold morning is being able to wear my warm, cozy running clothes.  I am always amazed at how warm some of those seemingly thin tops can be once I get.  But when the temperature drops below 25, I turn to my favorite clothing combination - a top with a zipper and my CWX Shimmel.  I like this combination because it keeps my core warm and provides options to cool things down if I get too hot: I can unzip the shirt and/or untuck the shimmel and roll it up to let as much cold air in as I need without having to remove a layer and find some way to carry it home.
 
What's a shimmel you ask?  Think of it as a sports bra camisole.  It provides all the support of a regular sports bra but is long enough to cover your stomach - and in the case of the CWX shimmel, it is long enough to tuck in your shorts/pants which means no cold air can sneak up your shirt when you don't want it to!  The CWX Shimmel also incorporates the same great features as our popular CWX sports bras such as the soft support web system.  This system incorporates five interconnected straps within the floating inner cup that look and act like a hand supporting each breast individually.  The five straps evenly disperse the load to a different area of the body (shoulder strap, underarm area, outer rib, breastbone and throat) so no stress is put on any one spot.  It is a revolutionary (and comfortable) way to provide support. 
 
The CWX Shimmel also features offset, flat seams that don't chafe or dig.  The material is made of 4-way stretch COOLMAX Tricot fabric which wicks moisture like crazy and provides compressive support and an excellent fit for almost every body shape.  It is available in three band sizes (S, M and L) and is most suitable for a B/C cup.  It is the perfect way to winterize your sports bra!

Join us at the store on Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00pm for Jason Tillinghast's free seminar entitled, "Achieve Your Goals by Monitoring Your Engine: The how's and why's of using a heart rate monitor in your training". 
 
Jason is the Product Manager for Fitness Measurement at Timex Corporation, the makers of the hugely popular Timex Ironman fitness watches and heart rate monitors.  While Jason does hold an MBA, much of his knowledge about what makes a good watch comes from using them.  He is an accomplished runner (completing the Leadville 100 twice!), mountain biker, backcountry adventurer and past member of the US Nordic Ski Team.  He also successfully finished the Big Texan Challenge (http://www.bigtexan.com). 
 
In his seminar, Jason will teach us how to more effectively use the data from our HRM's to maximize our workouts (especially important when finding the time to workout is tough).  This will be a great seminar for those who already have a HRM or those who have one on their Wish List this year (don't forget to clip the 20% off Timex coupon below!) 

 

Clinic limited to the first 30 people to RVSP to Sean at sean@fleetfeethartford.com.

Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT is hosting two developmental indoor track meets this week that are open to runners of all ages and abilities.  Each meet will have two age divisions: high school (grades 9-12) and open (youth-masters) as well as both field and running events including the 4x800 relay, 55m hurdles, 55m dash, 1600m, sprint medley relay (200, 200, 400, 800), long jump, high jump, pole vault and shot put.  Wednesday evening's meet starts at 6:00pm and Saturday's meet at 9:30am.
 
Coach Schuyler and many participants in our Thursday evening track workouts (aka the "Thursday Night Fliers") will be attending the meet on Saturday. Coach Schuyler has offered to pace anyone in the 1600m (email Schuyler if you're interested or if you would like to carpool).  
 
Cost to participate is $7.00 (unlimited event entries).  Click here to print the waiver form that must be submitted with payment at the meet. 
 
More details are available online.

The winter is a great time to change-up your training and try something new.  Our last few seminars stressed the importance of flexibility and strengthening your core through functional training.  One key area to focus on is the hips - especially since weak hip flexors and butt muscles like the glute-medius can be the root cause of IT Band, knee, calf, even Achilles pain. 
 
During his seminar tonight, Coach Al Lyman showed a fantastic series of exercises designed to increase hip flexibility to create a strong and balanced core.  If you have been experiencing a nagging injury or if your training has plateaued, I encourage you to come to Coach Al's 3-hour workshop this Sunday from 1-4pm. 

 

The cost is only $39 and includes a detailed video gait analysis using state-of-the-art motion software (that's worth the price alone).  Coach Al will also teach participants a series of exercises that, when done consistently over the winter, will help you run stronger, faster and easier in the spring. 
 
Reserve your spot by emailing Coach Al directly at coachal@coach-al.com. 

Join Fleet Feet staffer Duncan and a great group of Fleet Feet Friends for a casual fun run each Wedensday night at 6:30pm.  We go between 3-5 miles.  All paces (including walkers) are welcome to join us. 

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. 

Heart rate monitors and GPS watches are incredibly beneficial training tools, but they can take time to set them up and really learn how to use them.  To solve this, we are now offering free personalized set-up of your watch before you leave the store AND a free one-on-one training session with our Sean, our Electronics Guru at your convenience. 

 

Sean will teach you everything you want - and need - to know so you can maximize your investment and training time. 

We believe in the PERFECT FIT - it's part of our Fitlosophy.  If you are not 100% satisfied with the fit of your shoes, socks, sports bra, insoles, etc, we invite you to bring the item back within 30 days of purchase.  Even if you wore the item outside. 

 

Give us an opportunity to find a better solution for you.  We want to help you get the proper tools to live fit!