This Run is for the Dogs

August is typically known as the Dog Days of Summer.  These hot, humid days get their name because the second brightest star, Sirius (the "Dog Star"), rises and sets with the sun during this time.  In our family, the Dog Days of Summer reminds us of something different.
 
It happened in the summer of 1981.  We were living in Cincinnati, and my dad was training for a fall marathon.  His favorite long run course took him into a beautiful town called Indian Hill.  As its name suggests, Indian Hill was very hilly.  It was also nicely shaded and didn't have much auto traffic which made it great for running.   The downside to the run was one big, shaggy dog that would always bark and chase after my dad.  Dad would have to sprint for about a quarter of a mile before the dog tired of the chase and turned around for home (at the time, dad was afraid of dogs). 
 
One early Sunday morning about a mile from the dog's house, the dog appeared out of a wooded area and wiggled his tail with delight.  We think he was probably lost and recognized my dad and figured Dad would lead him back home.  But Dad was only 3 miles into his 20-mile run so he kept on running - dog in tow.    
 
At first the dog chased every bird and squirrel it saw, but after two miles, he fell into silent rhythm with my dad.  Five miles later, they reached a HUGE, twisty hill, aptly named Spooky Hollow Hill.  When the dog saw it, he looked at my dad like "Are you kidding?  I'm not doing this" and sat down.  Dad said "suit yourself" and headed up the hill.  About a half mile up, Dad heard panting.  He turned around to see the dog who must have realized that this was the only way he was getting home.    
 
For seven more miles they ran side-by-side with Dad taking a few detours so the dog could jump into ditches full of water to cool off and drink.  Finally, the dog saw its home and sprinted to the front door.  As Dad ran by, the dog nodded his head in a gesture of thanks before curling up to rest on the porch. 
 
The next Sunday, as Dad approached the big dog's house, he readied himself for the chase.  As usual, the dog leaped off the porch and started running full-speed at my dad, barking like crazy.  As the dog got closer, he must have recognized my dad for he stopped cold in his tracks and turned back for the porch without another bark.  He wasn't about to follow this crazy runner again!

 

Be Fit!
Steph

New Balance 758:  The New Balance 758 is a shoe with big ambitions: to provide incredible cushion, a great roomy fit, and the traditional variety of New Balance widths at a price that can't be beat.  It sounds too good to be true, but the 758 delivers.  In the past, New Balance has had a great moderately-priced stability shoe with the 760 series.  They were never able to capture this combination in a neutral shoe until now.

The 758 has a generous fit, and with its variety of widths allow feet, narrow and wide, to run without too much or too little room.  The N-Lock support system ensures that roomy doesn't become too roomy, holding the midfoot snug while allowing the toes the room they need.  New Balance's trademark seamless Phantom Dry liner keeps feet from getting blisters and hot spots.

Where the 758 truly stands out from the pack, however, is in its cushioning.  The amount of cushioning underfoot feels like that of most brands top-of-the-line neutral shoes.  Plush yet responsive, it protects the foot from impact without ever giving that marshmallowy, sinking feeling.  And somehow New Balance managed to price this shoe at $90, far less than many comparable models.  This means that it not only makes a great trainer, but also a great second shoe for neutral runners or walkers to add into their rotation when they start running higher mileage.

 

OK, so maybe this one isn't a race, but it's going to be a ton of fun for the whole family!  Instead of our usual Thursday Night Track Workout, we are going to have a series of relay races (4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800) during our first annual Brooks "Run Happy" Relays on Thursday, August 13 from 6:30-7:30pm at the St. Joseph College track. 
 
You can participate in as few or as many relays as you want.  Teams will be chosen randomly on the night of the event - though, we will pre-divide people into groups based on predicted pace in an attempt to create even teams.  Kids are welcome!
 
Brooks will be awarding cool prizes to each winning team, as well as to folks sporting their favorite Brooks running gear.  The top prize is an autographed Brian Sell singlet! 
 
Hope to see you there!

Several members of our fall Half Marathon Training Group were featured in a great article entitled "On the road to somewhere: Group gunning to complete ING Hartford Half Marathon" by Steven Frank for MyWestHartfordLIFE.com.  Click here to read it and be motivated by the experiences of Courtney, Shirley and Joanne!
 
Special thanks to Excel Fitness for hosting the informative seminar on Strength Training for Endurance Runners.  To learn a great pre-run strength routine, come to our track workout this Thursday.  Shawn from Excel Fitness will warm-up our muscles and get our heart rates pumping before the Schuyler's workout.

For more information, email Coach Al at coachal@coach-al.com

XC Runners, mark your calendars!  Spikeapalooza begins on Saturday, August 29 and runs through Saturday, September 5.  During this week, all spikes will be 10% off and kids will receive a gift-with-purchase.
 
Our premiere event, Saucony Spike Night, will be held on Tuesday, September 1 from 7-9pm.  You won't want to miss this.  In addition to discounts on spikes and trainers, raffle prizes, snacks and sweet goody bags (including a limited design XC shirt by staff artist, Duncan Gerrity), Saucony athlete Nate Jenkins will be in the house to sign autographs and share his running wisdom (Nate placed 7th in the 2008 Olympic Marathon trials, kicking out silver medalist Meb Kefilezgi, and has run a 4 minute mile).  We will also be hosting our annual participation contest.  The team with the highest percentage of runners will receive a season supply of Gatorade Endurance!

 

This SAUCony Spike Night is going to RAUC! 

 

Attention HS XC Coaches: If you would like to receive flyers about this event to pass out to your runners, please email me.

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: Aug 4; 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, Aug. 19 at 6pm).

 

 

Thurs: Aug. 6; 6:30pm: Track Workout with special guest trainers from Excel Fitness:  Shawn and Jeff, owners of Excel Fitness (voted "Best Gym/Fitness Center" in 2008 & 2009 in the Hartford Magazine), will be joining our track workout to teach us quality strength exercises and plyometrics to complement our running and keep us injury free.  Excel's 15 minute pre-run workout will get our muscles prepped for another fun workout with Coach Schuyler.   
 
Meet at Saint Joseph College track at 6:30pm.  All ages and abilities are encouraged!

 

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Sat: Sept. 12 (time TBD): Meet Bill Rodgers!: "Boston Billy", the running legend, Hartford native and Newington HS graduate, is coming to Fleet Feet Sports on Saturday afternoon, September 12 (exact time TBD) to promote his book "The Complete Idiots Guide to Running", sign autographs and share stories about his epic adventures.  This is one store event you won't want to miss! 
 
No RSVP are necessary, but please email me. if you would like to pre-order Bill's book ($20), running log ($10) or "Relentless" poster featuring his 1979 Boston Marathon victory ($20). 

 

If you can't make it to the store on September 12, we will have your items autographed for you and you can pick them up at a later date.  Get your holiday shopping done early this year! 

 

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Sun, Aug 30; 1-4pm: "Run Faster, Run Easier" Workshop with Coach Al Lyman:  Coach Al is back!  Join expert running and multisport coach Al Lyman as he offers another edition of his hugely popular "Run Faster, Run Easier" 3-hour running workshop at Fleet Feet Sports. 

 

During the workshop, Coach Al will video everyone's running form and provide you with an in-depth gait analysis within 10 days of the workshop.  He will also provide valuable 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 so come dressed to workout!
 
Cost for the 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 the clinic or to register, click here.

 

 

 

Nuun

is now the official sponsor of our Thursday Night Track Workout!  While the track workouts will remain as fun and challenging as ever, they will be made more refreshing with Nuun - a sugar-free electrolyte drink that will keep you hydrated as you run your laps around the track. 

 

In addition to a selection of tasty Nuun at all the workouts, all runners attending five or more will receive a free Nuun water bottle!