Thanks for a Great 1st Year!

Today marks my one year anniversary as owner of Fleet Feet Sports.  What a year it has been!  I have enjoyed meeting wonderful people like you, working alongside an incredible staff and being involved with so many terrific organizations and events.  I love being a "Daymaker" and watching people leave the store with a great new pair of kicks destined to give them many miles of happiness (or at least the euphoric feeling that comes when the workout is over!).    
 
I remember being really nervous on this day last year - so nervous that I forgot to put any cash in the register so the first few customers could only pay by credit card or exact change.  I have learned a lot over the past 365 days and appreciate everyone's patience with me and the store.  We will continue to get better, especially since my sister Carrie has just joined the store full-time.  
 
Carrie's background is in international trade so she has lots of great stories about her travels to the far corners of China, India, South America, Russia and the Ukraine.  She just completed her MBA with a focus in supply chain management from the University of Maryland which makes her a natural for managing our business operations and inventory to make sure we have the shoes and products you want, when you want it.
 
Carrie is also an avid runner and is the one who got me running again after I was diagnosed with Lupus.  She trained me for my first marathon - motivating me with running-themed gifts after each long run.  Our love of running apparel and accessories was one of the inspirations behind wanting to open our own running store (another was our love of chocolate, but that's another story). 
 
To celebrate our first anniversary, we will be selling "frost-your-own cupcakes" this Saturday for a $1.00 donation to our Pennies for Accessible Playgrounds fund (we're raising money to build a therapeutic playground at the Ethembeni School in South Africa as well as one here in Hartford).  Each cupcake will have a sticker on the bottom revealing a gift or discount ranging from $5 to $50 off your purchase for the day.  Talk about a sweet treat!
 
Be Fit,
Steph

Saucony ProGrid Update: When Saucony introduced ProGrid two years ago, the new cushioning system was a radical departure from their traditional Grid cushion. Removing bulk and weight, ProGrid was able to provide more uniform cushion through the whole shoe. The textured foam of the ProGrid system allows for solid forefoot cushion with exceptional flexibility. Now in their second iteration, many of the ProGrid shoes have improved substantially, although in more subtle ways than the initial cushioning change.
 
The most noticeable change to the new line-up is the Comfortride sockliner. The sockliner is the insole that comes with a shoe. While many runners remove this to add an over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed orthotic, those who do not will find the Comfortride sockliner to be the most comfortable around., It feels softer on the foot than anything else on the market, yet durable enough to last the life of a shoe without being totally flattened.
 
The new shoes maintain the fit that runners have grown to love. The Ride 2 is snug and curved through the heel and midfoot with a roomy toebox. The Hurricane 11 sees the most substantial changes, in a modification to the forefoot upper to ensure that the stability post does not over-correct pronation. The Omni 8 widens out from heel to toe, ideal for what we lovingly refer to as "triangular-shaped" feet. Regardless of whether you want to be taken for a ride, rocked like a hurricane, or run in a shoe that, while comfortable, sadly has no punny qualities, the new Saucony line will keep old fans and gain new ones.
  

 

P.S.  The Saucony "We Know Because We Run" contest is back.  Submit your reason to run and you may win $1,000 worth of Saucony product and have your line featured in a Saucony advertisement.  Click here for details.

Garmin 405: The ultimate toy for active dads is the Garmin Forerunner 405.  This GPS-enabled watch continuously monitors over 30 parameters including time, distance, pace, calories and heart-rate (when paired with Garmin's heart rate monitor).  The data is stored in the watch's memory and can be sent wirelessly to your computer for review and analysis.  You can even set the watch to race yourself or a Virtual Partner.  Purchase a Garmin 405 by June 30, 2009 and receive a $50 mail-in rebate from Garmin and a $25 gift certificate from Fleet Feet!
 
 
The Stick:  Help dad roll away muscle pain and increase his strength and flexibility with this awesome tool.  The Stick is made of a space-age plastic that is both strong and flexible.  Grip the handles on the end and roll the stick over muscles to give them a deep tissue massage that helps reduce muscle soreness, stiffness and pain which accelerates recovery time and prepares muscles for the next workout.  The Stick is available in two sizes: regular and a convenient travel-size that fits into a gym bag and locker.  
 
 
Compression Shorts:  This may be the best gift dad will never admit to wanting!  We carry a great selection of compression boxers and briefs made of moisture-wicking material from Nike, New Balance, Brooks and CW-X.  Our male staffers especially like CW-X's Pro Shorts which features CW-X's patented Support Web that acts like a suspension system for the abs, glutes and hamstrings.  The targeted compression increases circulation and reduces fatigue.  They look great alone or under shorts.  
 
Gift Certificate:  Give dad the gift of FIT with a gift card for a new pair of shoes and socks.  We will analyze your dad's gait and foot shape to ensure that he gets in the right sneakers and can go that extra mile whether it's walking, running or keeping up with the kids!  
 

And One for the Ladies - Sweaty Bands:  I couldn't wait to tell you about the cutest new headbands we just brought in.  They are called "Sweaty Bands" and they come in two sizes (thick and thin) and an array of cool designs.  The bands are backed with velvet that helps keep sweat out of your eyes.  I test-ran one the other day - it worked great!  Plus, it is stylish enough to wear when I'm not running.  

It's not too late to fulfill your new year's resolution to get fit.  We are offering three levels of training programs this summer (5k, 10k and half marathon).  So whether you are an aspiring, beginning or experienced runner, come run with us!
 
5k (3.1 miles) "No Boundaries" Program:
First up is our famous "Learn to Run" program called No Boundaries.  This program is designed for people who don't run, those who have a hard time sticking to a running program or are unsure what to do.  We use the "Galloway Method" which includes run/walk intervals and slowly ramp-up the time spent running and distance covered.  For those who have successfully completed a 5k before, we will offer a separate training program ("Running 201") for you designed to help you run faster and more comfortably.

The 10-week program begins on June 20 and concludes with the Old Wethersfield 5k on August 30.  Practices will be at 8:00am on Saturday mornings (meet at the store).  Thanks to the support of our friends at New Balance, cost for this program is $75. You can't be too old or too slow for this program so join us!
 
10k (6.2 miles) "Next Steps" Program:
Training at the same time (Saturday's at 8:00am beginning June 20) is our 10k program.  This program is designed for our No Boundaries graduates and anyone who can run between 2 and 3 miles.  We will help you over the "4-mile barrier" and into distances that you need two hands to count as we train to run the Old Wethersfield 10k on August 30.  Cost for this program is $100. 
 
Half Marathon (13.1 miles) Training Program:
Are you ready to go the distance?  We are offering two training programs for the Hartford Half Marathon on Oct. 11 (you can also use this training program to run any fall half marathon).  One group will meet on Saturdays at 7:15am at Fleet Feet Sports.  The other group will meet in Simsbury (time and location to be determined).  Practice begins on July 18.  Cost is $125.
 
All program participants receive:

To learn more about any of these programs, come to our Open House on Wednesday, June 10 at 7:00pm or email Coach Renee at coach@fleetfeethartford.com.  To sign-up, come into the store or call us at 860-233-8077. 
 

Our famous Spike Night event is growing up!  On Thursday, June 11 from 7-9pm, we will be hosting our first annual Road Racing Night sponsored by Nike! 

 

We'll help you get psyched for the upcoming road racing season and show you the latest in racing shoes and apparel.  There will be gifts, discounts and treats too!  You are never too old to race so plan on joining us for a night of fun!

RSVP by emailing Schuyler or calling the store at 860-233-8077. 

 

 

We are putting together a few local teams to travel together to the Washington, DC area to participate in the Ragnar Relay DC on September 25 & 26th.  The relay starts in the Western Maryland city of Cumberland and proceeds through scenic Maryland to Washington, DC. 
 
If you haven't heard of the Ragnar Relay series you are missing out!  The Ragnar Relays are 24 hour, 12 person relays.  Teams of 12 run day and night relay style for about 200 miles.  Each team member runs three legs with each leg averaging about 5 miles.  Legs vary in difficulty so everyone from the very fast to the very slow can enjoy the event and have a great time with their team.  
 
Run with Us and get Rock Star Treatment:

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: June 9; 6:00-7:00pm: 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, June 24 at 6pm).

 

Did you miss the Saucony Sprinter's visit on June 1?  No worries, it is making an encore visit on Wednesday! 

 

This mobile demo center features the latest in shoes and apparel from Saucony, as well as a shoe fit area and treadmill for video gait analysis.  Come stand on a "Pressure Mat" to see how your feet distribute your body's weight and try out Saucony's new ProGrid. 

 

 

Every one who stops by will get to play "Saucony Scrabble" where everyone winds up a winner!

 

June 16; 5-7:30pm - Tri Gear Demo Day at Winding Trails.

We will have tri-gear available at great prices and try-before-you-buy demo wetsuits and trail running shoes from Mizuno, Brooks and Salomon.  You will also have the opportunity to meet the Hartford Extended Area Triathlon (HEAT) club and check out the latest in watches and heart rate monitors from Timex!

 

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.

Coach Al is back!  Join expert running and multisport coach Al Lyman as he hosts 2comprehensive 3-hour running workshops at Fleet Feet Sports on Sunday, June 21.
 
The first workshop (9am-12pm) will video everyone's running form for an in-workshop "form review" then will teach everyone the specific core and functional strength and flexibility exercises that will help you avoid injury and improve your running form.
 
Later in the day (1-4pm), Coach Al will offer  his popular "Run Easier-Run Faster" workshop which also includes a free video gait analysis and information on how to approach daily training especially as it relates to what is happening through your legs and core.  Key core strength and flexibility exercises will be demonstrated.
 
Cost for either workshop is $75.00 or $99.95 for the workshop plus a copy of Coach Al's Runner-Core DVD (regularly $39.99).  For more information on both clinics or to register, click here.