As we approach marathon and half marathon season, we have to deal with the inevitable taper that comes along with training. Depending on your training program, you will either have a two or three week period of tapering, or cutting back on mileage and intensity of training.

At first, this sounds great. No more early wake ups to get those long miles in and weekend afternoons can now be used to do everything that you have been putting off since you started training. Then your mind takes over, and you start thinking, what if I haven't trained enough, what should I eat, will my knee heal in time for the race, etc?

The taper is an important time to let your body heal and rest from all of the stresses that you have placed on it during training. Other than just cutting back on your mileage, that are a few important things that you can do during this time to get the most benefit of your taper and rock your race.

Click here to learn my favorite taper strategies including how to take care of your injuries, when to get a massage, use compression and moist heat, replace your shoes, eating and drinking, not doing anything crazy and how to not let your mind get the best of you. As the current issue of Competitor magazine says, "embrace the suck!"

This week I am reviewing one of the Top 5 best-selling shoes in the US for the past decade. The Asics GT 2000 series shoe is a classic, and I imagine a good number of you reading this have worn and/or are wearing this shoe. It is known for its balanced mix of cushioning and stability and an upper that hugs your foot in all the right places, all for a reasonable price. Because of its heritage as a best-seller, Asics kept the changes to it minimal...until now.

Asics decided it was time to apply the technological advances they had success with in their high-end shoes, namely Fluid Ride. Traditionally, the GT 2000 series featured a three-layer mid-sole that included a thick layer of firm foam near the ground to reduce shock from pounding of the road, followed by a layer of Ascis' proprietary Gel that was sandwiched by a third layer of softer EVA foam. Together, this combination gave your foot the feeling that it was running on a plush cloud.

The new GT 2000 2, features Fluid Ride which is different in that it incorporates a rubber compound into that top (much softer) layer of foam, giving it the ability to sink more, and yet, respond better. It's a superior feeling cushion in a package that is far lighter than comparable cushion shoes. The 2000 2 also has improved flexibility thanks to deeper flex grooves on both the outsole and in the top layer of that foam to ensure that your forefoot moves the way it likes to!

The GT 2000 2 officially releases on October 1 but we have a limited supply on hand right now - including a limited-edition design that raises money and awareness for Prostate Cancer (both the men and women's versions have furry mustache tongues!). Be sure to ask for this model when you come in.

Still like the original 2000? We still have many sizes available for both men and women...and have discounted the shoe by $20!  Give us a call at 860-233-8077 to have us check availability and reserve one for you.

Rediscover the thrill of challenging yourself and conquering your dreams and goals. You are never too old, too overweight or too out-of-shape to be successful.  Discover your inner athlete and watch as a world of possibility and adventure open before you!

To learn more about our life-changing programs, see below: 

No Boundaries 5k - Sponsored by New Balance:

Options: Beginner, Advanced & Walk

Kick-Off & Inspiration Clinic: Wed, Sept 25 at 7:00pm

Starts: Sat, Oct 5 @ 9am or Wed, Oct 9 @ 6pm

Meets: 9am Sat and/or 6pm Wed - 10 weeks

Cost: $95

Details: HERE

Faster Than Ever 5k Program:

For those who want to run their fastest 5k ever (appropriate for runners at 6-11/mile paces)

Starts: Saturday, Oct 5 @ 8:30am

Meets: Saturday mornings for 10 weeks

Cost: $95

Details: HERE

Next Steps 5 Mile Program:

Starts: Saturday, Sept 28 @ 8:30am

Meets: Saturday mornings for 10 weeks

Cost: $95

Details:  HERE

Zoomerangs KIDS RUNNING Program:

Autism: Sunday, Sept 8 at 4:30pm - details here

Glastonbury: Sunday, Sept 15 at 3:30pm - details here

West Hartford: Sunday, Oct 6 at 3:30pm - details here

Congrats to Aubrey and her husband Ken on the birth of their son, Kai. Baby Kai sure to have lots of good eats in his future!

Schedules often get busy in the fall and getting dinner on the table can be a struggle. Here's a quick, flavorful baked chicken recipe that comes together with very little effort. As you look over the recipe, you might wonder, why take the time to make a salsa when I can just open a jar? True, but the smoky flavors of the chipotle shine through and boost the flavors better than any jar of salsa I've ever had.

It doesn't take long to cut up an onion, garlic and cilantro. Precision isn't important; you are just preparing the veggies for the blender to do its job. After a quick whirl, the salsa is prepared and the chicken is ready for the oven. While the chicken is cooking, you can attend to other things; like laundry, homework or foam rolling those tight runner's muscles.

Chipotle Salsa Baked Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 15oz can fire roasted tomatoes (or canned whole or crushed tomatoes if fire roasted are not available)
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed and chopped
• 2 chipotle chili peppers in adobo, plus 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (less or more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 3 inch wide pieces
• 4 oz Monterey jack cheese, grated or sliced

Optional Toppings:

• Avocados
• More chopped cilantro
• Sour cream
• Corn or flour tortillas
• Rice

Directions:

1. Place the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, chili peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth, with a few chunks remaining.
2. Preheat the oven to 350. Place the chicken in a baking dish in a single layer (about an 8x10 pan). Spread the salsa over the front and back of the chicken. 
3. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes (30 min for thighs). Remove the foil, cover with a layer of cheese and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.
4. Serve with rice or tortillas. Garnish with toppings of your choice.

Source: www.simplyrecipes.com

There's a new flat, FAST course for the 44th running of Bristol's Mum-a-Thon 5k. The event starts and finishes at the Immanuel Lutheran School in downtown Bristol and features a 5k Run & Fitness Walk as well as a kids' fun run.

Registration fee for the 5k is $20 ($5 for the kids run) with proceeds benefiting Bristol's Sports Hall of Fame. The first 3,000 people to register will receive a t-shirt and access to the post-race refreshments.

For more information or to register, click here.

Litchfield Performing Arts, the not-for-profit that presents the Litchfield Jazz Festival and Litchfield Jazz Camp, announces THE JAZZ RUN, an Inaugural 5 Mile Run/2 Mile Family Fun Walk at Camp Cochipianee in Goshen, CT. There is prize money for the Top 3 male and female finishers.

The scenic course is USATF certified. LPA invites you to run or walk with them with all proceeds supporting students in financial need to attend Litchfield Jazz Camp. The Jazz Run welcomes participants to the Post-Race Picnic featuring live jazz music and kids' activities.  Click here to pre-register and save $5 off race day registration prices ($22 to run and $10 to walk). Plus, the first 200 registrants will receive a race t-shirt

For more information visit www.litchfieldjazzfest.com or call 860-361-6285.

Join us for an USATF-certified 5K race through beautiful country roads lined with fall foliage at 1st Annual Coventry Harvest Run 5K & Kids' Fun Run! 

Little ones have their very own run right before the 5K starts.  Visit the Farm Day Harvest Festival at Nathan Hale Homestead from 9AM to 3PM for live music, food, local produce to enjoy at home, visit with the farm animals, kids' activities, games, and an art show by Coventry Middle School students.  Racers can take a FREE tour of historic Nathan Hale Homestead and stop by the Corn Maze.  This is a New England race at its best! 

The race is organized by Town of Coventry Parks & Recreation Department.  The Farm Day Harvest Festival is presented by Coventry Agricultural Committee and Coventry Historical Society with support from Nathan Hale Homestead.  All net proceeds will be used to create and support programs for the children of Coventry that promote healthy nutrition and active lifestyle. 

Registration fee is $20 for 5K race, $5 for Youth Dash (1/4 mile) and $2 for Mini Dash (50 yards).  First 100 registered runners for 5K race will receive a free T-shirt.  Online registration is available here or paper registration can be submitted to Coventry Parks and Recreation. 

"Superhuman" is the only word to describe Dean Karnazes's feat of running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.  Dubbed "The Ultramarathon Man," and ranked among TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World, he's run 350 miles nonstop and completed in an ultramarathon across the world's five great deserts: the Atacama, Gobi, Death Valley, Sahara and Antarctic.

Dean's greater message to all is, "Get off the couch, get healthy, hit the trails and go the extra mile." With that mantra, and with a physiology adapted for endless running, he's run 350 miles nonstop and completed in an ultramarathon across the world's five great deserts: the Atacama, Gobi, Death Valley, Sahara and Antarctic.

Hear the stories behind his adventures at a special event at the Mark Twain House and Museum (351 Farmington Ave in Hartford). General Admission is free, but you must reserve your spot online via this link. You may also purchase Reserved Seats for $8 and VIP Tickets that includes access to a meet-and-greet reception for $20. All VIP ticket sales will benefit the CT Forest and Parks Association.