Greetings from Costa Rica.... HOW ABOUT THOSE RAVENS?  The weather is beautiful, but the excitement of seeing our team take it to the finish... Talk about resolutions...

So...Wow... Look where we are now ... already into February and we're over one full month into the new year. How are your New Year's resolutions?

Finding the motivation to exercise and eat healthy is tough when it's cold and gray outside. It's so much easier to hibernate and indulge in comfort food (mmmm, mac and cheese!). But even in MD, winter eventually gives way to spring, then summer. Heck, didn't we just see a 70 degree day last week?

Before you know it, you will be wearing shorts and tank tops, cranking the air conditioning, planning an escape to the beach... and complaining about how out-of-shape you've become or the extra pounds you've gained. Unless you make the commitment to start moving today!

The key word here is START. Don't set yourself up for failure by running 3 miles, taking a challenging spin class or starting a radical diet because chances are good that you will be miserable, both physically and mentally. That negative experience is not going to give you the motivation you need to get back out there tomorrow and do it again.

Your winter time goals and resolutions should not be daunting. Instead, they should encourage building a strong foundation, establishing good habits and carving time out of each day to exercise - even if it is just 20 minutes. Once this happens, momentum is on your side. I like to think that we're exemplifying Newton's First Law of Motion which states that a body in motion tends to stay in motion.

There is no better proof of this than seeing who shows up at our 6pm Fun Runs when it is COLD and WINDY as it was last Thursday.  We had an Asics Night planned and was hoping for a good crowd.  As Michaela came into the store, she mentioned it was 38 degrees, but with the wind chill..it felt like 12 degrees.  We weren't at all sure anyone would show up. We were amazed - and sooo proud - when people.. along with some newbies, came in to get in their run and try out GT 2000 from Asics.  Wow... coming to the FUN RUN on Thursday has become a part of their routine and not even frigid wind chills were going to get in the way of their progress.  And the newbie said she had put this on her calendar ALL WEEK and was NOT going to miss.  She will be signing up for our Half Marathon Training and SHE is committed now that she saw that people would be HERE for her!! 

Earlier yesterday we had a customer who saw the energetic group run by her house and commented that she wished that she was in shape to run like that. Each season she talks about joining our training programs, but always has an excuse (too cold, too hot, too busy). She gets frustrated when she sees the progress everyone who signed up for the program has made and thinks she can never catch up so she doesn't even try.

Our advice to her: don't compare yourself to others; instead look to them for inspiration (as our newbie did). They were once where you were. The difference is that they made the choice to start. Start Small. Start Today. You won't regret it. 

When we feel good ... we look good!  Motivation goes a LONG way to helping us stand with our goals.  Knowing there is a group waiting for you ... and you will be missed if you don't show up ... YES... super motivation!  As NIKE likes to say...JUST DO IT!! 

Have you set a Spring training goal that will help you stay motivated?  FLEET FEET Sports has just what you need to reach your goal with our SPRING HALF MARATHON Training Program!

Next up is the SPRING HALF MARATHON (For ALL SPRING Half Marathons) and Nike Women's Marathon Half 2013 Training Program, a unique 13 week training experience designed to prepare you for the inaugural Nike Women's Marathon Half 2013 in DC, Iron Girl Half Marathon in Columbia, Ocean City Half, on April 28, Frederick Half Marathon/Relay on May 5 and Maryland Half Marathon on May 12.  As you prepare for your goal, this program will connect you with those in the training group as well as with those in the Nike+ virtual running community.  

We are into our second week ... Sign up quickly... There are only a few slots left. This week's run/walk will meet at Fleet Feet Baltimore @7:30am with everyone "out the door" by 7:45am.  We will do 6 miles.