Gear from The North Face is all the rage with today's young-adult population, but it's just as strong in the world of ultra runners thanks to materials, cuts and features designed to go the distance. In fact, TNF shorts and tops were Steph's go-to gear while training and racing her 50k.

 GTD Running Short (Men and Women): GTD stands for Go The Distance - a very appropriate name for this durable yet lightweight running short that is made from a quick-dry, breathable fabric that is treated with Sanitized Silver to prevents odiferous bacteria from growing so your shorts don't stink - even after a weeks-worth of runs. The shorts also feature side and back-waist mesh panels that increase air-flow to keep you cooler and drier as well as a back zip pocket that is perfect for secure on-the-go storage for little items. The women's short is available in a 4" inseam and the men's in both a 5" and 7" inseam.   

 Eat My Dust Skirt (Women): This skirt sold out quick in spring thanks to its stylish looks, longer length and performance features like super-breathable fabrics, zip pockets and side pleats to help promote quick leg turnover. The boy short liner won't chafe, bind, bunch or stink thanks to the mesh Elastane fabric that is treated with Sanitized Silver anti-odor control. There are also reflective logos to help promote low-light visibility for early morning or late evening runs. The skirt is available in this fun blue print or solid black.  

 Eat My Dust Sport Tank (Women): This awesome tank is back again, this time with fun, bright designs! It is lightweight and perfect for high-impact activities. The internal bra has modesty paneling and lots of ventilation so you stay cool and comfy during your workout. Our favorite part is the clever storage pockets on the shoulder straps that are the perfect size to hold your energy gels, keys, chap stick and other on-the-run essentials!

 Reaxion Tee (Women): Show your colors with this great tech tee that says "I Run Rain or Shine". Designed with VaporWick technology, this soft, ultra-light tee will wick moisture away as fast as you can sweat it out. Plus, the relaxed fit makes it a super-comfy shirt to wear on the run or just for fun.

 Better Than Naked Tee Shirt (Men):I bet that got your attention! With a name like this, you can trust that this shirt is insanely lightweight! This high-performance shirt is designed with moisture-wicking fabric, stitchless seams, and burn-out ventilation on the back - all of which combine to provide optimum breathability and comfort for longer endeavors...like that marathon you are training for! 

The Urban Challenge is back!  This is our hands-down favorite event of the year!  And this year Brooks is our presenting sponsor which means awesome long sleeve tees & great prizes to all entrants! 

The Urban Challenge is a combination running and trivia scavenger hunt similar to the television show The Amazing Race.  Teams of two will receive clues and complete challenges at different locations throughout West Hartford Center & Blue Back Square, while running from location to location and racing to be the first team to the finish line. Knowledge of the area will give you an advantage, but teams can use their phones, Internet and people on the street to help them solve the clues.

Fleet Feet has teamed up with various businesses in the area whose identities are secret until you figure them out from the clues. While we can't reveal who they are, we can tell you that there are some fun (and tough!) challenges in store for you.

The event fee is $25 per person ($50 per two-person team) and includes a high-quality Brooks tech tee (an $25 value) and the after party, which will have drinks, food and fun. There will be prizes for the Top 3 teams, as well other fun categories such as team name, costume and most-spirited.

You can register in-store or online here.  If you don't have a partner, we will match you with another solo participant.

Event is limited to 100 two-person teams and we already have 47 teams signed-up so don't delay!  Those who sign-up before Sept 3 will be guaranteed to get the shirt size they requested (late registrants will get a shirt, but sizes will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis).

Congrats to our Summer 2012 Graduates!

It's not too late to accomplish your goal of finishing your first 5k or running a personal best in 2012!  Our popular No Boundaries Training Program in partnership with New Balance will be kicking off its last session of the year on Saturday, Sept 29 at 9am.  The program ends with the Mitten Run 5k in Blue Back Square on December 1.    
 

This program will feature 3 different training groups: Walkers, Beginning Runners/Couch Potatoes and Intermediate Runners looking to improve their 5k time. Runners will be able to choose between practices on Saturday mornings at 9am or Wednesday evenings at 6pm (the Walking Group will meet on Saturday's at 9am).

The Beginner 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).  Our Advanced Program is designed to help you run faster and more comfortably including introducing speed work and oh-so-fun hill repeats!

Both groups will learn proper form using New Balance's Good Form Running Program principles and a runner-specific dynamic warm-up that together will help you run more efficiently, decrease your chance for injury...and enjoy life on the run!

We will kick-off the 10-week program with an Information/Meet the Coaches Night on Thursday, September 27 at 6:30pm.  Registration is $95 (this does NOT include the race entry fee). All participants will get a cool technical running shirt and first-time participants who complete at least half the practices will earn themselves a sweet running jacket courtesy of New Balance. Repeat participants will earn a $20 gift certificate to the store.

No one is too old or too slow for this program so be courageous and join us!  Learn more and register online here or in the store. 

If your kids like to run, we've got a fun program just for them: Zoomerangs!  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!

Thanks to our friends at the  Glastonbury River Runners, we will be again hosting a session in Glastonbury (at Smith Middle School) and one in West Hartford (at the University of Saint Joseph track).  Both will meet on Sunday's at 3:30pm.

For more information or to register your child(ren), click here. 

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Fleet Feet Sports is proud to partner with Autism Familes CONNECTicut (AFC) to host Running on the Spectrum, a special version of our popular Zoomerang kids running program, for children and teens with Autism. This non-competitive "open track" program is open to all ages and gives individuals with Autism the opportunity to experience running in a fun, friendly atmosphere.

Thanks to the generous support from AFC, the program fee is just $20/child. AFC will also provide experienced therapists to help with the program. Practices will be on Sunday's from 4:30-5:30pm at the College of Saint Joseph track in West Hartford beginning on September 23. Click here to register or get more information.

The 33rd Annual Suffield 5k and 10k Races will be held on Saturday, September 8. Both courses start and finish at the Suffield Middle School and course through the historic district, farmland and open spaces with picturesque views of Suffield. The 5k race begins at 8:15am and the 10k at 9:15am. You can even register to run both races for a discounted rate!

Register via this mail-in formby Wednesday, September 5 and pay just $20 for the race of your choice. The first 100 people to register will also get a free race t-shirt. You can also register on Race Day from 7:15-7:45am for $25. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Suffield Parks and Recreation Department.

 On September 11, 2001, a Brooklyn-based off duty firefighter and father of five heard the call to action. When his truck was prohibited from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, he raced on foot towards the site with his gear strapped to his back to meet-up with his company en-route to the Towers. The Tunnel to Towers run is dedicated in the memory, and in honor of all who serve our communities and nation with the courage and commitment exemplified by Stephen Siller.

The Middlesex County Blue Star Mothers have organized a local version of the Tunnel-to-Towers 5k here in CT. The run will take place on Saturday, September 8 at 9:30am in Cromwell. The registration fee is $30 and includes a t-shirt (children under 12 are FREE!). Register online here before Friday, September 7 or on the morning of the race beginning at 7:30am.

For more information, click here.

 Meet and run with legendary marathoner Bill Rodgers at the annual Bob Veillette 5k Road Race and 1 Mile Walk on Sunday, September 9.  The run/walk begins at 1:30pm at Library Park (corner of Grand and Meadow streets) in Waterbury. In addition to running the 5k, Rodgers will be on hand to meet participants and sign autographs. There will also be plenty of kid-friendly activities including a bounce-house, face painting and an arts-and-crafts tent.    
 
Register online by September 6 and the entry fee for the run and walk is just $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12.  On race day, the fees go up $5.  T-shirts and goody bag are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
 
All funds raised by this event go toward defraying ongoing medical expenses for Naugatuck resident Bob Veillette, 64, a former runner, journalist and jazz pianist who suffered a massive stroke in 2006 that left him paralyzed from the nose down. Bob has been participating in a ground-breaking study through Brown University that has enabled him to move a robotic arm and control a computer cursor just by THINKING about it.

For more information about the race, click the logo above.

An important skill when grocery shopping is knowing how to read and interpret food labels. On the side of the box you'll learn what constitutes a serving size, how many calories are in the serving, the amount of fat and the ingredients in that food. The nutrition label is there to educate the consumer about what they're buying. However don't rely on just the information presented on the top numbers section to give you all the details you need.

One of the most startling examples is the nutritional data for trans-fat. Pick up a package of Fig Newtons and read the top part of the label: "0 grams trans-fat". You smile as you add the product to your shopping cart, thinking that you made a healthy choice and your family is eating a nutritious snack made with "real fruit".

If you read the list of ingredients, you would have seen partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil on the label. Partially hydrogenated oils are trans-fats, the stuff your doctor warns you to stay clear off. The effects of trans fat in the diet are staggering, Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes ,heart disease and the list continues. So how can a food contain partially hydrogenated oil and still show zero grams of trans fat? Simple rounding.

If a food has less than 0.5 grams of trans-fat then it can be labeled as zero grams. If you ate four cookies (double the listed serving size), you consumed at least one gram of trans-fat. Trans-fat can be hiding in boxes of your favorite baked goods as food manufactures use it for its chemical nature and ease of use. Foods with trans-fats are less prevalent today than they were three to four years ago, but it is still necessary to read the list of ingredients.

A few weeks ago I emailed a triathlete friend who was using Fig Newtons as his source of fuel on long rides. I knew that he was accumulating some serious miles and therefore large amounts of Fig Newtons. I sent him an email suggesting he reconsider his fueling choice. Like many, he was unaware of the harm he was causing to his body.

Here's a homemade Fig Newton recipe minus the trans-fat and high fructose corn syrup. They are perfect for training nutrition or in the back to school lunch boxes.

Homemade Fig Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup roughly chopped dried figs, stems removed
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Place the figs in a small bowl, cover with hot water, and soak for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the figs from the water with a slotted spoon and place in the bowl of a food processor. Add the honey and 1 tablespoon of the soaking liquid. Puree until smooth and spreadable.

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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.   This winter she is teaming up with Lake Terramuggus Triathlon Director Bill Honeck for a destination marathon training program. The group training program begins in November and culminates with a March marathon in Utah.  See the FF Events Calendar for more information.

STORE HOURS:

Looking for a fun family event to celebrate the arrival of fall? Join us on Saturday, September 16 as we partner with the Connecticut Forest & Park Association to host a 5k trail race at Sessions Woods in Burlington, CT.

The course takes place on a beautiful wooded trail and meanders through wetlands with a beaver pond where you might catch of glimpse of the pileated woodpecker, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and broad-winged hawks. Stay after the race for family nature walks, lessons including one on how to carve a walking stick, food and more.

The 5k trail race starts at 9:30am and the 5k walk at 10:00am. Cost to register is $25 - though registration is free if you raise $50 or more in donations to support CFPA. 100% of proceeds go to CFPA to help maintain the CT trails we love to hike and run!

Click here to register online or the logo above to get more information. Enjoy and connect to Connecticut's land and trails.

Looking to add a unique spring marathon to your 2013 calendar? Want to aim for a Boston Marathon qualifying time? 

Join us and learn about a cool destination marathon training program led by rock-star coaches Aubrey Schultz and Bill Honeck.

The 20-week program will start in November and train for The Sand Hollow Marathon in gorgeous Utah on March 31. Don't want to travel to Utah? You can also use this program as a base to train for a different spring marathon.

Email Aubrey to reserve your seat.