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Fleet Feet Peep to the Rescue! |
 I always like to say that being a Fleet Feet Peep has its privileges, but now I have real proof. Several weeks ago, Sylvia, a Fleet Feet Peep, had her beloved Toyota stolen. Of course, she had just finished paying it off and was looking forward to not having a car payment for awhile. Last Wednesday she decided to give up all hope of recovering her car and started to research used cars - that is until she received a call from another Fleet Feet Peep named Chris McKee. As some of you know, Chris is one of our running coaches (he is famous for wearing a Leprechaun outfit during the O'Hartford 5k last March which earned him a photo in the Hartford Courant). His real job, though, is a police officer for the town of Windsor. The day after Sylvia's car was stolen, Chris followed a black Toyota into a convenient store parking lot. The car caught Chris's attention because it had an "I 'heart' Running" and a pink "Runner Girl" sticker on it, just like the ones that Fleet Feet sells. Chris wondered if he knew the runner in the car so he waited to see who got out. Much to his surprise, two young men who didn't exactly look like runners exited the car. He first thought that maybe they were the kids of a mom who loves to run, but his gut told him that something didn't seem quite right so he called in the license plate number. Sure enough, the car had been reported as stolen earlier that morning. Moments later Chris and his partner arrested the boys and contacted the Middletown Police Department to handle returning Sylvia's car back to her. Due to some confusion at the police station, Sylvia never received that call. She had no idea that her car had been recovered until Officer McKee decided to give her a call last week and fill her in on the story of how her car was found. Needless to say, Sylvia was ecstatic and called to let me know that Fleet Feet has the best customers ever. I couldn't agree more! In celebration of Sylvia getting her car back (and so Officer McKee can spot more Fleet Feet cars on the road), we're giving away Fleet Feet Sports magnets. Just come into the store and ask for your free magnet.
Be fit!
Steph |
| Schuyler's Shoe Review |
XC Spike Review: Ready for mud and muck and (maybe) a little snow? Our selection of 2010's best cross-country spikes certainly are. A collection of tried-and-true favorites and innovative new models are ready to tackle the roughest courses that New England XC has to offer.  Saucony, the top brand in the country for cross-country, comes back with the Kilkenny XC 3 with few changes from the previous version except for a flashy forest green. This shoe fits most feet incredibly well with an average weight, making it a great spike for beginners and experienced runners alike. The Shay XC 2, their elite-level spike, returns with its snug fit and secure arch-wrap, but adds new customizable coloring. A clear side panel accommodates included multi-colored inserts to match the color of a team uniform.  The Adidas XCS and New Balance 507 remain similar to the previous versions, the Adidas fitting wider than the average medium-width spike and the New Balance being the only spike available in a true men's wide. For the first time, we are carrying the Brooks Mach 12, one of this year's wildest-looking spikes with a curved fit for a narrower foot.  The true talk of the season is going to be the Nike Zoom Victory XC. While this shoe is actually a cross-country version of the Matumbo track spike, it comes in at under five ounces-the lightest cross-country spike ever made. Unlike the Forever XC, Nike's previous ultra-light spike, the Victory XC can fit standard blank spikes, making it usable on courses with pavement. Whichever spike you run in, make sure to attend our Spike Day Barbecue on August 29 from 4-6pm (Fun Run starts at 3pm) to get a discount on shoes, vendor gift with purchase, and a set of arm-warmers designed just for XC runners! Can't make Spike Day? Just tell us which team you run for and you will get 10% off your spikes and trainers and a gift with purchase from Aug 29 through September 5. |
| Sarah A's Picks of the Week |  Nike Dri-FIT UV Essential Men's Running Shirt: This UV protecting shirt from Nike is made with Raglan sleeves to allow for greater range of motion in the arms and longer hem in the back to fit better to the contours of the body. The Dri-FIT material provides UV protection during the day and the reflective strips on the sleeves and neckline make you more visible at night.
Nike Dri-FIT Tempo Track Men's Running Shorts: You don't have to look hard for the coolest feature on these shorts. The color easily stands out as the reason to wear these. Real men wear white. It's the new pink.
Nike Dri-FIT Featherlite Men's Hat: To protect your eyes from the sun or just because you need to wear a hat, the Featherlite will wick away sweat and keep you dry. The four black mesh vents increase breathability and the adjustable back closure allows for a perfect fit.
 Amphipod Micro Pack SmartView: This Amphipod zip pocket snaps right onto your hydration belt or even your shorts and fits the iPhone and iPod Touch. It is the easiest way to take these devices with you on the run since it doesn't strap heavily around your arm or have the possibility of falling out of a cradle. The SmartView pocket has extra storage for keys, ID and money and zips safely closed to keep things secure. The clear protective screening also lets you view calls or music and control them too.
 Nike Checkerboard Short: A twist to the tempo short, these checkerboard shorts offer a thicker waistband (less movement on the hips), a funky design, and the breathability and comfort you have come to expect of Nike shorts.
Nike Swift Y-Back Women's Sports Bra: Made for high impact sports like running, this Y-back bra has wider straps and a customized internal shelf bra for maximum support. A mesh back panel increases ventilation in the most needed spots. To top it off the bra rocks a voltage cherry color, reflective piping and the swoosh logo.
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| Featured Race: Old Wethersfield 5k & 10k |
 It is graduation time for our latest group of No Boundaries and 10k training program participants! Despite training during one of the hottest, most humid summers on record, they still number over 50 strong. They are a courageous (and a bit crazy!) group! We invite you to join them at the Old Wethersfield 5k and 10k road races on Sunday, August. 29 (there is also a 5k Fitness Walk). Both races and the walk begin at 8:00am in the driveway of the Solomon Wells House at the corner of Garden and State streets in Wethersfield. The course takes you on a tour of the historic streets to a finish-line sprint through the Wethersfield Cove. It is fairly flat and scenic.
The races benefit the Intercommunity Behavioral Health Solutions whose goal it is to "help people living with mental illness and addiction disorders improve their quality of life by providing opportunities for healing and recovery". Register online by August 24 and pay the reduced rate of $28 for the 5k or $38 for the 10k. You can also register (and pick-up your packet) on race day from 7-8am in the rear parking lot of the Wethersfield Department of Motor Vehicles at 60 State Street. If you want to join the Fleet Feet Sports team, stop by the store to purchase a special orange singlet (tank top designed for running) for just $15. The singlet looks sharp and inspires everyone who sees it to be "Unstoppable"! For more information, click the race logo above. |
| "Bare it All" 5k Training Program |  Run Bare... or almost there!Curious about the barefoot/minimalist running movement? Read Born to Run? Want to try barefoot running but don't know where to start? Our Run Bare training program is a 14-week coached group to get you ready to run the Blue Back Square Mitten Run 5k barefoot or in minimalist shoes like Vibram FiveFingers or Saucony Type A4s. The group will meet every Wednesday at 6:00pm, beginning on September 1, for 30 minutes of barefoot running, drills, and education. Runners are then invited to participate in the Fleet Feet Sports Wednesday Fun Run - using shoes but practicing barefoot running techniques. Registration for the program is $50, which includes 14 weeks of coaching, a moisture-wicking t-shirt, weekly e-mails with your full training plan and a coupon book for great savings. It is recommended that you have three types of footwear to participate: a pair of properly fitted running shoes, a pair of minimalist trainers, and your bare feet! Click here to register or contact Schuyler for more information. |
| Train to Run the Apple Harvest 5 Miler! |
 We are partnering with the Southington YMCA to host a training program for their Apple Harvest 5 Mile road race on October 3. The 5-week program will begin with kick-off/meet the coaches meeting on Tuesday, August 31 at 7:00pm (meet at the store). Our first practice will be Saturday morning at 8:00am on September 4. All practices except the one where we test-run the actual race course will be at Fleet Feet Sports. This program is recommended for our recent No Boundaries and 10k training program graduates or anyone who can currently run 4 miles (run/walk intervals are OK). If you have questions about whether this program is right for you, please email us at coach@fleetfeethartford.com. Cost for the program is $45 and includes a technical running shirt. It does not include the Apple Harvest 5 Miler race entry fee. Register at the store or online here. |
| Couch-to-5k Training Starts Sept 29 |
Was one of your New Year's Resolutions to finish a 5k in 2010? It's not too late to make the happen! Our last training program of the year begins at the end of September and ends with the Mitten Run/5k in Blue Back Square on Sunday, December 5. Our popular "Learn to Run" 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 run/walk intervals and slowly ramp-up the time spent running and distance covered until you can complete a full 5k (3.1 miles). For those who have successfully completed a 5k before, we will offer a separate training program for you designed to help you run faster and more comfortably. The 10-week program officially begins on Wednesday, September 29 at 7:00pm with a Kick-Off/Meet the Coaches Event. Our first practice is Saturday, October 2 at 8:30am (meet at the store). In addition to our regular group practice on Saturday mornings, you will be encouraged to join the Fleet Feet group on Wednesday and Thursday evenings for an optional run (we will have routes that coincide with your training schedule). You do not need to make every practice in order to successfully complete the program - though, participants that come to at least half the practices will earn themselves a sweet running jacket courtesy of New Balance! No one is too old or too slow for this program so be courageous and join us! Register online or in the store. Program fee is $95. 
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| XC Spike Spectacular - Sun, Aug. 29 |  If you don't think there is anything more exciting than the start of XC season (the mud, the mile markers, your sweat, the hills!), then mark your calendar for Fleet Feet's XC Spike Spectacular on Sunday, August 29 from 3-6pm.
Bring your team, wear your school's colors, and join us at 3pm when we will celebrate running dirty with a 3 mile fun run followed by a Team Flag design competition (we'll provide the flags and markers/paint) and barbeque
Then, from 4-6pm we will open the store exclusively for XC runners. All spikes and trainers will be 10% off, plus you will get a gift-with-purchase and the first 150 kids will get a sweet pair of XC arm warmers. To add to the fun, the Saucony Sprinter will make an appearance to show off their latest spikes and apparel.
We will also be hosting our famous participation contest which awards a season's supply of Gatorade to the team that has the highest percentage of runners in attendance.
Can't make our XC Spike Spectacular? We'll be offering a 10% discount on spikes and trainers plus a gift-with-purchase for all XC runners during the week of August 29 through September 4. Just tell us which school you are run for when you check out. Attention HS XC Coaches: Flyers to pass out to your runners have been mailed to your attention at your school. If you need more flyers or did not receive yours, please email Schuyler. |
| Help - I've Got Plantar Fasciitis! | |
 Dr. David Strassburg, inventor of the Strassburg Sock and Fleet Feet Peep, wrote the following article on Plantar Fasciitis. If you are suffering from PF (or have in the past), you may find this article very informative!
What is Plantar Fasciitis and how would the Strassburg Sock help me?
By Dr. David Strassburg, inventor of the Strassburg Sock
Let's say you are a new runner/walker. Or perhaps, a long-time recreational runner. You hop in your car and pick out a pair of flashy new sneakers from mega-sports store. The price is right and they are your favorite color so you put a couple more dollars on the VISA card and off you go. Your first couple days on the roads are great and your dirty clothes hamper is rapidly filling up with the fruits of your labor. You're feeling pretty good about the miles you are putting in your training log.
Pretty good until you get up one morning and notice something doesn't feel quite right. It's your heel and it's a little tender, almost a bruise-like feeling. Similar to that one you felt when you were at the beach last summer, running across the parking lot and you firmly planted the heel of your bare foot on that unexpected stone. Your first few steps out of bed are a little cautious, but as you make your way towards the coffee pot and your foot gets moving, the dull ache slowly goes away. "Hmm.... Must be getting old you tell yourself. Just a little stiffness. Nothing a little stretching won't fix". The pain is gone, your shoes are on and now it's time to get in a few miles. The previous days heel issue is all but forgotten.
The next morning you get up and the pain is there again. It's a bit more painful than the day before but once again disappears after you get up and move around. This cycle repeats itself until one day you find yourself having to tiptoe to the bathroom in the morning to brush your teeth. "What in the heck is going on?" you ask yourself as you try to figure out why this heel pain goes away during the day only to return with a vengeance every morning.
Welcome to the world of the most common running injury, Plantar Fasciitis!
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Store Hours
Mon - Thurs: 10-7
Fri: 10-6
Sat: 10-5:30
Phone: 860-233-8077
| | Store Calendar |
All events are at Fleet Feet Sports unless otherwise noted.
Now Thru Sat, Aug 21
Tax-FREE week!
No sales tax on shoes
or clothing - plus, we're
giving away a prize a day
Wed, Aug 18; 6:30pm
Fun Run & Walk
3-5 casual miles
(featuring pace groups
from 7-12 min miles)
Thurs, Aug 19; 6:30pm
Track Workout
at Saint Joseph College
Sat, Aug 21; 9:30-11am
FREE Injury Assessments
with Select Physical Therapy
Wed, Aug 25; 6:30pm
Fun Run & Walk
3-5 casual miles
(featuring pace groups
from 7-12 min miles)
Thurs, Aug 26; 6:30pm
Track Workout
at Saint Joseph College
Sun, Aug 29; 3-6pm
XC Spike Spectacular
& Cookout
Food, Fun, Freebies,
Discounts & Team Competition
Wed, Sept. 1; 6pm
"Bare it All" 5k Training
Program Starts
Cost: $50
Thurs, Sept. 2; 6:30pm
Run Las Vegas & raise money
for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
Wed, Sept 1; 6:30pm
Mizuno Mad Mini Marathon
Think "Amazing Race"
Fun, Run & Prizes!
Limited to 50 Teams of 2
Thurs, Sept 9; 6:30pm
Pearl Izumi's "Run Like an Animal" Track Workout
Free Swag!
at Saint Joseph College
Mon, Sept 13; 6:30pm
Balega Socks Pub Run
Help us raise money to build a theraputic playground for the Lesedi School in South Africa (home of Balega socks).
Pint Glass for all who donate
Raffle Prizes too! |
| Event Descriptions |  |
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.
Sat. Aug 21; 9:30-11am: FREE Injury Assessments
Injured? Don't know whether you can run/play sports or if you should really see a doctor? Come to our free injury assessment clinic staffed by a certified athletic trainer from Select Physical Therapy. No appointment is necessary.
These free clinics will be offered every other Saturday through the year (next clinic will be Saturday, September 4 from 9:30-11am).
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Wed, Sept 1; 6:30pm: The Mizuno Mad Mini Marathon is a running and trivia scavenger hunt. The event will be similar to the television show The Amazing Race, with teams of two receiving clues, completing challenges at different locations all throughout the Center & Blue Back Square, running from location to location and, in the end, racing to be the first team to the finish line.
Fleet Feet has teamed up with various other businesses in the area, whose identities are secret until you figure them out from the clues.
In addition, Mizuno will be awarding a free pair of shoes to each winning team member and Whole Foods is donating a $50 gift card to the second place team. We will also be giving away prizes for other fun categories like best team name and most Mizuno-ized team. The race will be FREE and you can pre-register at Fleet Feet in West Hartford during store hours. There will also be day of registration open at 5:30 on Sept. 1st. Click here to print a registration form to bring in or e-mail sarah@fleetfeethartford.com for more information. Event is limited to the first 50 teams to sign-up so register early! |
| Wed Night Fun Runs
6:30pm (at the store) |  |
Join Fleet Feet staffers Duncan, Shannon & Sarah, plus a great group of Fleet Feet Friends for a casual fun run each Wedensday night at 6:30pm. We go between 1-5 miles (a route for all abilities). All paces (including walkers) are welcome to join us.
It's a great way to meet new friends and running partners.
Meet at the store. |
| Thursday Night Track Workout |  |
Do you feel the need for speed? Or maybe your workout routine needs a little spice. Join Coach Schuyler each Thursday for a fun track workout.
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.
Can't make it to the workout? Email Schuyler to get the Weekly Workout email. |
| Saturday Fun Runs
8am |  | |
Our friends at lululemon (on LaSalle Rd - across from McLadden's Irish Pub) have begun a Saturday morning Run Club hosted by their Running Ambassador, Sarajean Walsh. All Fleet Feet Peeps are invited to join in this non-competitive run designed for women and men at all levels of fitness. Each run will be safely organized and mapped.
Whether you are training for a specific event or just want to meet some new running friends, join us in front of lululemon every Saturday at 8am. So dust off those sneakers and kick them on your feet! It's time to hit the pavement, sweat, smile and get healthy every day. |
| Men 40+ Needed for Health Study at UCONN |  | |
Investigators from the Dept of Kinesiology at UConn & the Preventive Cardiology Dept at Hartford Hospital are examining how common cholesterol-lowering medications affect your response to exercise.
To participate you must:
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Be male and at least 40 years old
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Have your own transportation
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Not currently being treated for high cholesterol
The 6 month study requires:
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1 visit to Hartford Hospital for cardiovascular testing
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6-8 visits to the Human Performance Laboratory in Gampel Pavilion or Hartford Hospital for questionnaire completion, blood samples, and fitness testing
For participation you will receive:
This announcement is on behalf of a Dr. Linda Pescatello, PhD, FACSM, Professor & Director Health/Fitness Research Lab, University of Connecticut, Department of Kinesiology
This study has been approved by the University of Connecticut Institutional Review Board; Protocol # H08-016. |
| FREE Injury Hotline/Email |
 1-877-MOBL-MED (1-877-662-5633) -or- Our friends at Select Physical Therapy have set-up a FREE injury hotline to answer your questions about prevention and treatment of common athletic injuries or conditions. You can call or email anytime to ask a licensed athletic trainer (usually my friend Eleni will answer) about your injury.
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be given instructions on how to care for your injury at home or be directed to one of Select Physical Therapy's 30 clinics in CT for a free evaluation.
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| We're on Facebook! |  |
Become a "fan" of Fleet Feet Sports Hartford and be the first to know about new events, participate in interesting discussions and view great photos of our Fleet Feet Peeps in action.
Check out our page by clicking here. |
| Return Policy |
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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! | |
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