Last week, as I was waiting for my connecting flight out of Dallas/Ft. Worth, a request for silence came over the airport PA system. The speaker went on to say that that the Marine standing by the entrance to Gate 29 was there to accompany his friend and fellow soldier, who had recently been killed in Afghanistan, on his final journey home.

Through the airport windows, I could see a hearse pull up to the plane to load the soldier's casket. For a few moments, there was complete silence in the airport as we paid our respects to the soldiers. It was a powerful reminder to all of us that although the War in Iraq is over and Osama Bin Laden is dead, our servicemen and women are still on-duty. They are still sacrificing their lives in the hope that freedom can be won for others.

One way that we can honor those who have served is by running or volunteering at this year's Run for the Fallen event on Saturday, July 28. I participated in this powerful event last year and can honestly say that running with our nation's flag and remembering all those past and present who have sacrificed their lives was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

This year, our friends Cliff Paquette and Meghan Collins Fanning (our Yoga for Runner's instructor) will be running 63km from Ellington to the Glastonbury High School Track. Each kilometer will be dedicated to one of the 63 servicemen/women from CT who has died serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Members of many of the fallen's families will be present at the track where their loved ones will be honored in a moving ceremony.  

Runners are needed to form a relay team that will carry the American Flag and accompany Cliff and Meghan. There are six segments to choose from ranging from 5-11 miles. Goal pace is 10 min/mile and the group will be escorted by members of the Patriot Guard Riders and support vehicles carrying water, food and a medic. Runners will be transported to your chosen starting point so that you will end at your car.

The run begins in Tolland and will run through Vernon, Bolton, Manchester and Glastonbury. You can run as little or as much as you would like.

Volunteers are also needed for the Support Crew to help shuttle and support the runners as well as staff the ceremony at Glastonbury HS.  Click here to learn more - or email Jody Barr if you would like to be a part of this powerful event.

Janji Tops & Shorts (Men & Women): Janji is the Malaysian word for "promise". It is also a new line of running apparel created by a local Trinity College grad that is dedicated to fighting the Global Food & Water Crisis. The moisture-wicking apparel is designed after the culture and flags of Kenya or Haiti and $4 from the sale of each item is donated to non-profits to help alleviate problems related to food and water in that country.

The Kenya shorts feature the Masai shield found on their flag and each Kenya item sold will provide one Kenyan family with a season's worth of water. The Haiti women's print is the Hispaniolan Trogan, the national bird of Haiti, while the men's print is a depiction of the royal palm for independence topped with the cap of liberty (from the Haitian flag). Each Haiti-themed item sold will provide 8 packets of lifesaving nutritional medicine for a Haitian child. Learn more about Janji here.

Nike Olympic Tees (Men and Women): The 2012 London Olympics start in about a week! Show your support of Team USA with these cool tees that feel like cotton, but are actually Nike's high-tech Dri-Fit fabric designed to manage moisture and limit chafing. Choose from the Nike Run/US Flag or the US Track & Field design. The women's tees feature a feminine silhouette that flatters, while the men's tee is a looser fit for ultimate comfort. USA Olympic hats are still available too - but they are going fast!

Nuun All Day: Nuun's newest hydration solution! Nuun All Day hydration tabs are 100% natural with no sugar and under 8 calories per tab. They are enhanced with a natural blend of 17 vitamins and minerals, electrolytes and tasty flavors like Blueberry-Pomegranate, Grapefruit-Orange, Tangerine-Lime and Grape-Raspberry.

The pure ingredients of Nuun allow you to maintain your energy at a consistent level throughout the day instead of the roller coaster ride from sugary, caffeinated beverages. Drinking 8 glasses of water is easy and delicious with Nuun All Day!  Over 21?  Check out these tasty happy hour Nuun Cocktails!

Road ID: If you are a runner, cyclist, triathlete or just a person who doesn't sit on the couch all day, Road ID is for you. This awesome piece of gear not only looks good but it could save your life. In the event of an accident, if you can't speak for yourself, your Road ID will. Available in 6 different styles, including shoe tag, shoe pouch, wrist bracelet, ankle band and dog tags.   It's not just a piece of gear - it's peace of mind

Click here to order - or come into the store and purchase an official Road ID gift card (you'll get a coupon for free shipping too).

The Apple Harvest 5 Mile race is one of our most-favorite races, thanks to the scrumptious apple fritters served after the run. The race is hosted by the Southington YMCA who is, once again, partnering with us to offer this great summer-into-fall training program. By popular request, Coach amy Kubisek will be back to lead this program. Her energy - and love of hills - is contagious so be ready to have some fun!

This training program is great for any runner who had recently completed at least a 5k (3.1 miles) - but is also good for those who can run a 10k (6.2 miles) and want to get faster. It begins on Saturday, July 28 at 8:00am and culminates with the Apple Harvest 5 Miler race on Sunday, September 30.

Most of the Saturday morning group runs will start/end at the Southington YMCA - though we will take a few field trips to West Hartford to run from Fleet Feet Sports so participants can take advantage of special discounts in the store on these days. There are optional runs on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm (from Fleet Feet Sports) and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm (at St. Joseph College track).

The registration fee is $100 (does not include race registration) - but does include your training plan, coaching with a low coach-to-participant ratio, a cool tech tee and other surprises along the way.  Special mini-clinics will ensure that in addition to training properly, you're given the right knowledge about footwear, socks, insoles, sports bras, hydration and other important topics that can improve your enjoyment of running

Register online or in the store.

Sometimes you just need to break away from routine and do something crazy.  For runners, that means doing one of the Hartford Marathon Foundation's Thursday night X-Treme Scrambles.   
 
Thanks to the great support of the folks at Riverfront Recapture, Harpoon Brewery and Moe's Southwest Grill, these 5ks are not your typical road race.  No.  Sometimes you run across the bridge and down the stairs to Charter Oak Landing.  Other times you may climb over Park River, wade along the river beach or climb up the Riverfront steps.  Be warned: portions of the course might get you wet, might make you curse, might make you dirty, but will always make you smile - especially since there is cold Harpoon beer, a Moe's burrito and music waiting for you at the finish.   
 
There are two X-Treme Scrambles left this summer: Thursday, July 26 at 6pm (theme is Kickin' off the London Olympics) and Thursday, August 23 at 6pm (swing to country music legends).  The course starts at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza.  Cost is $28 ($23 if you are a student and $10 for kids aged 5-17). 

Click here for more information on the perfect way to spend a summer evening. 

Looking for a dish to bring to the potluck summer party? Here is a perfect salad that can be made in advance, allowing the flavors to develop, and is tasty served chilled.   

Check out a pic of the dish on my blog. 

Pea Salad with Rice and Chicken 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked chicken (I cooked up extra drumsticks and used them the next night in this salad)
• ½ cup peas, shelled
• ½ cup rice (I combined wild rice and jasmine rice)
• Day old Magic Sauce salad dressing (see below) 

Directions: Combine everything together and chill. 

Magic Sauce Ingredients: (www.101cookbooks.com):

• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 2-3 sprigs of thyme
• 1 sprig oregano
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 medium garlic cloves, smashed into a paste
• 1 well crumbled bay leaf
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

Sauce Directions:

1. Gently warm the olive oil of medium low heat until just hot. Remove from heat.
2. While the oil is heating, mash the herbs with a mortar and pestle.
3. Stir the paprika, garlic, bay leaf and red pepper flakes into the oil. Next add the bruised herbs and lemon juice.
4. Serve the sauce or save and let the flavors fully come alive over the next few days. 

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Aubrey Schulz is a certified nutrition and triathlon coach with Get Out N Play .  She works with clients to help them reach their nutritional and athletic goals, both in the kitchen and out on the road. 

STORE HOURS:

Every year Competitor Magazine compiles a list of the 50 Best Running Stores in America. Stores who receive the most nominations progress to the second round where stores are judged on 20 criteria including programing, environment, community service, vendor relationships and a visit by a secret shopper.

We would appreciate your help in getting us to the second round by nominating us via this online form. The form is simple and will take less than a minute to complete.

Thank you!!