I'm headed to Beantown next Monday to participate in one of the world's most famous running events: the Boston Marathon!  I can't begin to explain how excited I am to be able to run the in the world's oldest annual marathon.  It's something I've dreamed about since my dad first ran Boston in 1987. 
 
But unlike other marathons where I was disciplined with my training, this year I'm testing the "less is more" training plan.  Sometimes life gets in the way of even the best laid plans.  I know that I won't come close to a PR.  Instead, my goal is to survive the distance and enjoy the road from Hopkinton to Copley Square.  For this marathon, I won't have my game face on - instead I'll have a smile.  In fact, just thinking about Monday is making me smile.  I feel like a kid at Christmas! 
 
My plan is to start out easy - and slow down from there.  I want to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy feeling like a rock star for a good part of the day as over 500,000 spectators cheer me on.  There is something refreshing about putting my competitiveness aside for once.  If only, I could get rid of the nervousness that comes with running a marathon! 
 
To all those I will be running with on Marathon Monday, I wish you a great run.  The weather is looking good (as long as you don't mind a little rain): cloudy, chance of rain with temperatures in the low 50's.  And if you find that your race isn't going as planned, don't stress about it.  High-five the nearest spectator and have some fun.  You're running Boston!

 

Be Fit,
Steph

Brooks Cascadia:  There are many reasons why the Brooks Cascadia trail shoe won the Western States 100-mile race multiple times, and only one of them is that it's a favorite shoe of top ultramarathoner Scott Jurek. The Western States and Badwater star liked the Cascadia so much, in fact, that he participated in the development of the shoe a few years ago. As a result, the shoe features many great, trail-specific features.
 
Like many other trail shoes, the shoe contains a semi-rigid rock-protection plate under the foot to prevent bruising from rocks poking up. Deep lugs grip on a variety of natural surfaces and a sewn-in tongue helps prevent debris from getting into the shoe through the upper. A new "HPR Green" outsole adds silica to the rubber to provide additional traction while also biodegrading more quickly in a landfill. This new outsole technology joins the BioMoGo midsole that provides great cushioning while also biodegrading rapidly.
 
A unique feature of the Cascadia is the Pivot Posting System. A traditional medial post, designed to provide stability for pronation on the road, does not work very well on an uneven, unpredictable trail. The Cascadia's posting avoids these problems by adjusting to movement in the foot and on the surface of the trail. When used on road, however, this post will not provide enough stability for serious pronators. As a result, this shoe is ideal for neutral runners and pronators who will stick entirely to trails. Built to handle 100 miles, the Brooks Cascadia will be comfortable and supportive for any trail run you can throw at it.

      

Fun Shirts:  Show your love of running with a cool, new shirt.  We have expanded our collection of fun running-themed shirts to include Brook's "Run Happy" and "Track" shirts as well as a staff favorite from Nike that says "Hot Waffles to Go" in honor of their waffle sole that changed running shoes for the better nearly 30 years ago.  Shirts feel like cotton, but are made of a high-tech moisture-wicking fabric to keep you cool and dry on the run! 
 
Lolė:  Live Out Loud Everyday.  Life's too short not to wear stylish, comfortable clothes that are designed for women on the move - whether it be hiking the Metacomet Trail, chasing kids or running up and down the aisles at Stop & Shop.  Lolė clothes are designed for the active woman and feature a cool new material called nano carbon that is made from recycled bamboo fiber which inhibits bacteria growth and odor while remaining soft, stretch and wrinkle-free.  
 
Nike+ iPod Sensor:  Has your Nike+ iPod sensor chip's battery gone dead?  Nike nows offers a replacement sensor chip for just $19.  The chip is also compatible with the 2nd generation iPod Touch (no need to purchase the receiver).  This great device tracks your mileage, pace and time - and allows you to set your iPod to play the one song that will motivate you up any hill (including Heartbreak Hill).  It even features voice feedback from Lance Armstrong and Joan Benoit Samuelson. 

Fleet Feet Sports is proud to be a partner of the famous Galloway Training Program which has helped people of all skill levels and ages complete a half or full marathon. 
 
Jeff's unique low-mileage run-walk program makes it possible for almost anyone to experience the feeling of completing their goal.  Even the most out of shape and inactive individuals can complete a marathon at the end of the training period by adhering to Jeff's run/walk approach to training.  This approach advocates establishing a run/walk ratio that enables participants to go the distance while remaining healthy and injury free. The program requires two 30-minute run/walks during the week and a long group run/walk on the weekend.
 
The 30-week training program offers:

Click here to register for the program - or join us for the Open House on April 30 at 7:00pm.

 

For more information, email Debbi Zimbler at debzimbler@aol.com.

Earlier this month, I met an inspiring man named Russ Leonard.  Russ is participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at the Berlin Fairgrounds on May 30.  Except Russ won't be part of a relay team which usually has up to 15 members.  No, Russ plans on walking for the entire 24-hours (last year, Russ did 4,000 push-ups on his knuckles in just 4-hours during the relay). 
 
Russ is going the distance to raise cancer awareness and support his wife Marilyn who is a three-time cancer survivor.  "Over the years, Marilyn has endured nine surgeries, massive radiation and chemotherapy," Russ explained. "Today she is doing well and has a promising future, thanks in part to the work of the American Cancer Society. I hope to complete a minimum of 60 miles on my walk."  Joining Russ for the first six hours of his walk will be Mark Wagoner, a 17-year-old student at Berlin High School and a brain cancer survivor.  
 
Russ's goal is to raise at least $1,000.  With this year's difficult economic conditions, asking for donations is tough, but Russ reminds us that cancer does not take a holiday during difficult economic times.  If you can help by donating even $5.00, please visit Russ's web page.

 

The cure begins with a single step.

For more events at the store and around CT, visit our online Calendar.  For details on any event, call the store at 860-233-8077.
  

 

Wed: April 15; 6:15-7:15pm: Injury Assessments by Select Physical Therapy: 

Injured?  Don't know whether you can run or should really see a doctor? Come to our free injury assessment clinic.  No appointment is necessary.

 

These free clinics will be offered every other Wednesday through the year (next clinic will be Wed, April 29 at 6pm).

 

Terry Walters, author of Clean Food and certified holistic health counselor will speak about nutrition for runners and how to maintain health and balance with whole, clean foods.  Topics include health benefits, purchasing tips, storing, cooking ideas and ways to maximize the nutritional value of food.  Bring your cookbook to have it signed!

 

April 22; 6:30pm - Robeks Smoothie Run.

 

Join Jessica Fritz-Peters owner of Pilates Defined, for a free introductory Pilates for Runner's class.  Pilates is the perfect complement to your running program not only because it strengthens your core but it also improves your posture. Join us to learn essential Pilates exercises that will help lengthen your tight muscles and strengthen weak ones creating freedom of movement in your body so you can feel great all the way through that last mile!

 

 

Train to complete either the ING Hartford half or full marathon.  This 30-week program begins Sat. May 2 and costs $159.  Email Debbi Zimbler at debzimbler@aol.com for more information.

Fleet Feet Sports is proud to sponsor the Winding Trails Summer Triathlon Series which hosts a fun sprint triathlon consisting of a ¼ mile swim in Dunning Lake, an 8k trail bike ride and a 5k trail run every Tuesday from June 16 through August 18. 
 
To jump-start the series, we will be hosting a Tri Demo Day on Tuesday, June 9 from 5-7:30pm.  We will have tri-gear available at great prices and try-before-you-buy demo wetsuits from Zoot and trail running shoes from Mizuno, Brooks and Salomon.  You will also have the opportunity to preview the new bike and running courses

 

Joel Matalon will be back on Sunday, June 28 to host another full introductory course on Chi Running & Walking Workshop.  The workshop runs from 1-4pm and will meet first at Fleet Feet Sports then move to the West Hartford Resavoir.  Cost is $125 (continuing education credits available).  To register, go to http://www.ChiRunning.com
- or contact Joel at jmatalon321@gmail.com or 917-860-1450.