Cold and flu season is upon us.  Sometimes not even the healthy lifestyle of a fitness enthusiast or runner can protect you from getting sick.  Once you get sick, the big question is should you exercise?
 
Personally, I use the "Neck Rule": when symptoms are below my neck (bronchitis, chest cold, flu with body aches), I don't work out.  If the symptoms are above my neck (running nose, sneezing, headache) and I don't think it is a sinus infection, I will run - IF I feel like it.  I've learned to listen to my body.  If I don't feel like I have enough energy for a run, I don't go.  I like to think that there is a reason my body wants me to take a day or two off.
 
A fever without body aches complicates the matter.  You can't really "sweat" a fever out by exercising.  Some medical experts recommend canceling your workout if you have a temperature over 99 degrees.  Otherwise you risk taxing your heart and immune system too much because when you run, you body temperature increases even more.  This causes your heart to pump harder to dissipate the heat (by moving blood from your core and muscles to your skin) which can lead to an irregular heartbeat.   
 
I will usually wait one more day after my major symptoms disappear being going out for an easy run and another week or so before I will resume my normal training schedule to protect myself against a relapse.  Don't worry about taking the time off or going easy.  You won't lose your fitness that fast.  Within a week, you will be back up to speed.  So rest and get well soon!
 
Of course, you should consult your doctor before running when you are not feeling well or while you are recovering from an illness! 
 

Be Fit,
Steph

Kid's Shoes: Saucony Ride & Brooks Defyance: When we added kids' shoes to our selection this past summer, we brought in two stability models, the New Balance 768 and the Asics 2130.  To expand on that selection and fit an even wider range of children's feet, we recently added the neutral Saucony Ride and Brooks Defyance to our selection.  Many parents will recognize these shoes as Mini-Me versions of the Saucony and Brook shoes they love to run and walk in.
 
Traditionally, most children's shoes are made with die-cut EVA, a lower-quality foam that compresses and loses its cushioning very quickly.  Kid's shoes offered in specialty running stores are different.  They are made of the same compression-molded EVA as performance running shoes for adults.  This process uses much more foam and provides more even and long-lasting cushioning.  The shoes are also highly durable (including an extended outsole that comes up over the toe to act as a "playground bumper"), breathable and built of the same high-tech, quality material that parents know and love.  
 
Like the larger versions, the Defyance has a relatively uniform shape, accommodating width with a snugger heel and a reasonable amount of volume for high insteps.  The Ride, has a snugger midfoot with a roomy forefoot and a slightly shallower volume.  Both shoes provide excellent support for kid's gym classes, running, or everyday kicking around.

We've got a fresh look in the store as our line of winter-to-spring transitional apparel has arrived.  We're talking capris (for women and men!), two-in-one shorts with a boxer-length compression inner-short (for men and women), heavier weight short-sleeve tops, lightweight long-sleeve tops, thinner arm warmers and more!  
 
Runderwear:
Yes, there is such a thing, and it is WONDEFUL!  Many folks are great about wearing workout clothes made of moisture-wicking material, but they defeat the good that their shorts/tights do when they wear regular cotton underwear. If you don't like to go commando, you should try runderwear.  Runderwear provides variable compression levels (especially in the women's boy short and men's boxer version) and seam-free, form-fitting construction that provides chafe-free comfort.  
 
Men can even choose from varieties that offer a special wind-block panel in the front.  I gave my dad a pair for Christmas.  At first he laughed and said "Why would I ever need these?"  Then he wore them on a cold day.  Now he's asking for another pair!  
 
Suunto Triathlon Training Pack:
Our favorite brand of heart rate monitor/speed-distance watches just got better - just in time for triathlon season!  The Suunto t6 Triathlon Pack has everything you need to maximize your training.  It combines the power of the Suunto t6 heart rate monitor, Foot POD, Bike POD, Cadence POD and Memory Belt (records your heart rate underwater so you can measure your swimming performance).  These precision instruments work together seamlessly so you can focus on your training and not your equipment (say goodbye to waiting for your watch to find the GPS satellite). 
 
You also get access to the best Suunto features including highly accurate speed, distance, altitude data, as well as critical physiological data like heart rate, training effect and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption so you can measure your training loan and adjust your current - and future - training sessions as needed.  Suunto will help you take your training to the next level!
 
Purchase a Triathlon Training Pack by February 28, 2009 and receive a sweet backpack and a free one-on-one training session with Sean, our electronics guru who is addicted to his t6.
  
Support Your Girls:
Fleet Feet Sports stores have teamed up with Moving Comfort to produce this special tee for $30.  For every shirt sold, 33% of the proceeds will be donated to Girls in Game, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young girls on the importance of being active.  Join the "Support Your Girls" movement and get this fun shirt today!  

Race Ready Shorts:

Another customer favorite is back!  These great shorts are made for going the distance.  They have 5 mesh pockets along the back of the short: four smaller mesh compartments for gels, salt tablets and inhalers and one large center pocket for your gloves, hat, sunglasses or gel wrappers.  There are also two side pockets with Velcro to hold your keys, credit card, ID or iPod.  Best of all, these shorts are truly Made in the USA (even the material and thread are made here). 

We've got lots of great events planned for February & March.  To RSVP your spot to any (or all!), email Sean or call the store at 233-8077.  
  

Wed: Feb 18 @ 6-7pm: Injury Assessments by Select Physical Therapy: 

Have a nagging injury that you aren't sure what it is, how to treat it or when you can start working out again?  Stop by the store to meet with the athletic trainers from Select Physical Therapy and get a free injury assessment.  No appointment is necessary.  These free clinics will be offered every other Wednesday through the year (next clinic will be Wed, March 4 at 6pm).

Wed, Feb. 25 @ 6:30pm: Saucony Fun Run
Todd, our fun Saucony Shadow Rep, is bringing his bag of goodies to our Wed night fun run.  There will be giveaways, treats, a chance to try on the new Saucony Guide 2 - the perfect mix of cushioning and stability, and someone will run away with their own pair of Guide's! 
 
The fun begins at 6:30pm.  Runners and walkers of all paces are welcome.  We will go between 3-5 miles (you chose the distance you want to go).  No reservation necessary.  Just come! 

Sat. Feb 28 - 9am-Noon:  FREE Injury Assessments
Can't make it to one of our Wednesday evening Injury Assessments?   The athletic trainers from Select PT will be bringing their Mobile Sports Medicine Center (a 16' trailer with the works) to the Fleet Feet Sports driveway to provide on-site injury assessments, tape injuries, give tips on injury prevention, play games and more.  The event is free!
 

Sun, March 1: 1-4pm: Chi Running & Walking Clinic
The Northeast's only certified Chi Running expert, Joel Matalon, will be conducting a one-day introductory course on Chi Running and Walking.  Learn how to run at any age and any level of fitness without pain.  Chi Running is a revolutionary approach to effortless running.  It focuses on FORM first, then distance, then speed.  The "goal" is to feel great after a workout. Similar to Yoga or Tai Chi in philosophy, Chi Running becomes a mindful (and soulful) practice! 

 

The Clinic will meet at Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford and then move to the Reservoir to practice what you've learned.  Cost is $80 (fitness professionals, for an extra $25 you can earn 5 continuing education credits).  To RSVP, email Joel "IRON" Matalon or call hime at 917-860-1450.  
 

 
Tues, March 3 @ 7:00pm:  Women's Triathlon Training "Meet the Coaches"
Summer Fun X3!  Swim, bike, run your way to a great triathlon this summer.  Ladies, come to Fleet Feet Sports to meet Coach Lynne and Coach Janice of Team Training New England, a woman-only triathlon training group. 
 
TTNE specializes in empowering women to enhance their lives through group-based triathlon training and competition.  They provide a safe, welcoming and comfortable training environment for women of all ages, sizes and abilities. 
 
Come learn about the benefits of group training for a triathlon whether it's your first or your fifth, the preparations and time commitments for the program and the typical triathlon fears (real and imagined).  There will be plenty of time for Q&A as well as an inspiration video comprised of past season highlights will be shown.

April 5 - Coach Al's "Run Easier, Run Faster" Workshop
Learn the secrets to running easier and faster!  The February clinic sold out quickly so don't delay if you want to attend one of Coach Al's most popular clinics.  The 3-hour comprehensive clinic costs $49 and includes an in-depth video analysis, introduction to Runner Core, handouts, tips, tricks and more.  Click here to register(click on the Fleet Feet Run Clinic on April 5).  

For more events at the store and around CT, visit our online Calendar.