Time flies when you are having fun! It's hard to believe that this is the 100th newsletter I've written since taking over ownership of the store in June of 2008. Some days I feel like I haven't accomplished much in the past four years, but when I look back I'm amazed by how much the store - and I - have grown:

Over 1,500 people have participated in our training programs - many beginning with our 5k program, then advancing to complete their first 10k, half marathon, marathon and triathlon. It's inspiring to be able to watch first-hand as people's fitness and confidence grow and heartwarming as they join our rank of coaches and help pay it forward.

Our Fun Runs and Track Workouts regularly see 50+ people - with several hearty souls meeting for a rouge run when we cancel for bad weather. There have even been a few couples who met during our runs, including Schuyler who will be marrying his "sole"mate Tessa this October. Congrats to you both!

Our staff has grown from six to 28 diverse, yet equally passionate Shoe Whisperers who do their best every day to make your day and find the perfect shoe because we all know that the right shoe can be magic.

Our store has grown from 1,500 square feet to 3,600 making it easier to shop and more comfortable to visit. You can even try your shoes out inside now! The additional space has allowed us to almost triple our inventory and broaden our range of products - especially in our new Triathlon Corner. My favorite part of the expanded store is the addition of six 7' benches so we don't have to fit customers in the dressing rooms or outside anymore!

I have met so many incredible people who give of themselves be it their time, talent or treasure (usually all three), inspire others and find the strength to conquer even the most daunting obstacles. People like Cliff Paquette whose mission is to support, honor and remember the servicemen and women who were killed in action; Scott Wojnarowicz whose running program at Capitol Prep Magnet School keeps kids out of gangs and encourages them to go to college; and Sole Sister founders Lisa Greenwood and Debbie Dorman whose ever-growing club is like a family that supports, embraces and empowers women to do amazing things.

I will always be grateful to each of you who choose to shop local, especially supporting Fleet Feet. Research shows that $68 out of every $100 spent at locally-owned small businesses is filtered back into the community (versus $48 from big business and $0 from online stores). It is my goal to use our resources to give back and support our running community so together we can continue to grow and make a happier, healthier world.

Be Fit!

Steph

Brooks Versatile Short Sleeve for Men

Need a good basic moisture-wicking short sleeve shirt? The Brooks Versatile T is perfect for any run, any time! Its soft, stretchy, loose fitting material allows freedom of motion and the flat-lock seam construction protects against chafing. Be cool with a sharp looking black version!  

Brooks EZ Flower T for Women

This moisture-wicking tee is soon to be your favorite! The EZ Flower T is softer and lighter than cotton. So when you want a shirt that feels like your cozy everyday tee-shirt, looks stylish and performs like your best tech tee, this shirt does it all! The feminine minimal neckline, pretty flower print and soft blue color are perfect for spring!

Brooks Sherpa 2-in-1 Short 4.5" for Men

Brooks took their most popular short and gave it more support with a 2-in-1 moisture-transfer liner. This internal system helps prevent troublesome chafing. Marathoners love the two back holster pockets for gels or other small essentials. This short is great for short and long runs, walks and hikes! 360 degrees of 3M Scotchlite reflectivity ensures you will be comfortable and be seen!

Brooks Epiphany Skort for Women

Have we got the skort for you! Its contrast rollover waistband and flattering design lines combine to give you style and functionality. The internal compression short stays put. No more tugging down or readjusting! The outer stretch material moves with you, so you can enjoy your activity. It even has a rear zip pocket for small essentials!

Brooks Glycerin Printed Bra Top II

Brooks does it again! They designed an intelligently designed bra with a sweet, modern print. The seamless cup construction adds shape and modesty, while offering a great fit for A cups and more comfortable support for Bs and Cs. The double-strap racer back is flattering and supportive at the same time. Two color choices match our current Brooks spring-inspired collections.

If your kids like to run, we've got a fun program just for them: Zoomerangs!  Now in our 8th season, this non-competitive "open track" program is designed for kids aged 4-13. It gives them the opportunity to experience running in a fun, friendly atmosphere where the motto is "Will run for worms" (gummy worms, that is!).

It's a great place for kids to run safely, correctly using good form, make friends and get stronger/build endurance so they can perform better in other sports (or rock the mile in gym class). Most of all, our goal is to empower kids to accomplish their goals and instill in them a lifelong love of running. It's also a great opportunity for mom and dad to spend quality time with your kids - and get in shape too!

The Spring 2012 edition of our popular program begins on Sunday afternoon, April 22. Kids can choose between two program locations: Saint Joseph College Track in West Hartford (4:00pm) or the Smith School Track in Glastonbury (3:30pm). Practices will last about 45 minutes.

After a group warm-up (stretches, form drills and running games), kids will be encouraged to run at their own pace and run as many laps as they feel comfortable running. Our goal is to have kids run/walk 4 laps (1 mile) each practice - though, by the end of the season many kids are running 2-4 miles - and still smiling at the end!

The program will culminate with either the Celebrate West Hartford 5k & Kids Fun Run (Sunday, June 10) or the Firecracker 5k in Glastonbury (Sunday, July 1).

Program cost is $50 per child and includes a Zoomerang Team t-shirt, road race entry, gummy-worms and "lap rewards". Scholarships are available for needy kids.  Register online or in the store.

Questions or if you would like to help volunteer at the practices, email Steph.  

You've seen the photos. Watched the video. Heard the stories. And despite it all, you are still crazy enough to want to do it. Fortunately, we've teamed up with Glenn Marcella and The Playground to make sure you are ready to conquer the Tough Mudder on July 14-15!

The Tough Mudder is an event like none other. It consists of 10 miles of hills and mud on Mount Snow in VT (over 13,000ft of elevation change!) and 25 military-style obstacles designed by the British Special Forces. Think walls, barbed-wire, monkey bars, mud pits, tunnels, fire, ice water and electric shocks. It's a fearsome challenge and an epic adventure!

Our 12-week training program begins on Tuesday, April 24 and will consist of coached hill runs on Tuesday's at 6pm, "fun"ctional strength workouts at The Playground (you choose your workout days/times) as well as weekend trail runs and "discomfort training" field trips lead by Tough Mudder veterans (i.e. swimming in cold lakes, learning how to get over walls, speed crawl under barbed-wire and through pipes, etc). This program will give you the physical and mental toughness AND the camaraderie needed to finish this race.

Our goal is the Tough Mudder New England #2 event on July 14-15. The Training Program fee is $295 and includes your training plan, knowledgeable coaches, a three-month membership to The Playground for unlimited Tough Mudder-inspired strength workouts, and a cool team shirt. The fee does not include your Tough Mudder race registration.

Sign-up online or in the store.  Our program kick-off meeting will be on Wednesday, April 11 at 7pm.  Come and meet your coaches, fellow participants and past Tough Mudder graduates - plus, get your Playground Membership card and training plan.

 34 Floors. Every Second Counts.

       Do You Have The Power?

Join the American Lung Association on Saturday, March 31, 2012 for the 5th year anniversary of the Tackle the Tower at Hartford 21 stair climb event!  The unique "vertical marathon" will allow hundreds of participants from Connecticut and surrounding areas to race, run, or walk up 34 floors inside Hartford's tallest residential building. Racers and elite runners will climb first, followed by walking participants. Finally, firefighters from all over New England will climb the 686 stairs in FULL GEAR.

Following the event there will be an After Party and Award Presentation at Black Bear Saloon with drink specials and complimentary appetizers. Medals will be presented to highest fundraisers, fastest competitors, and largest teams.

Proceeds from the climb support the mission of the American Lung Association, to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. "Step up" today and breathe easier knowing that every contributing dollar is making a difference!

Log onto www.climbofyourlife.org and click on the Hartford link for volunteer/participant registration links. For more information on how to become involved, please contact Britney Martin, Event Manager, at bmartin@lungne.org or at 860-838-4375. 

Check out this unique 5k that turns you into a "human skittle"! Color Me Rad is a new 5k at Rentschler Field on Saturday, May 26 that is fun for the entire family. You start off the race in a pristine white shirt and at various intervals, will be bombarded with harmless colored cornstarch that will turn you (and your shirt) a rainbow of colors.

The finish line features a royal rumble of color as everyone will get a special color-pack to shower on friends, family and strangers. There will also be music and food, as well as some awesome photographic moments!

Race organizers expect this race to sell out soon, so don't wait too long to register. Plus, if you use our special promo code - hartfordffs - before April 9, you will get 25% off your registration fee. We'll also be giving away two free entries during this Wednesday's Fun Run. Sweet!!

For more information and a fun video about the race, click here.

Fleet Feet Sports is proud to be a drop-off location for the Max Cure Foundation's Dunk Your Kicks program. For every pair of used sneakers donated, the Max Cure Foundation will donate $1 to Pediatric Cancer Research through a partnership with Green Sneakers, an environmentally friendly national company whose simple and effective programs for reusable "kicks" benefits local charities and impoverished countries.

Dunk Your Kicks and the Max Cure Foundation was started by David Plotkin whose son Max (then three years old) was diagnosed with B-cell Lymphoma. Fortunately, a two-year protocol of chemotherapy pushed the cancer into remission and now Max is a healthy 7 year old. Both father and son dedicate themselves to raising funds to advance cures for pediatric cancers, develop less toxic treatments for children with the disease and assist low-income families battling cancer in their children. They also seek to inspire children afflicted with cancer to face the disease with courage, hope and most important, bravery.

Max's goal is 500,000 pairs of sneakers. Working together, we can reach that goal!

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