photo: Jim Davis/Boston Globe

There's a new rally cry in New England thanks to Shane Victorino who coined the phrase "Rejubilation" after his grand slam catapulted the Boston Red Sox into the World Series. The odds of Boston's success seemed insurmountable after their abysmal performance last year and a terrorist attack on their home turf. Insurmountable unless you consider the energy and strength generated when an athlete fights back in the face of adversity and gives it their all. In that way, the Red Sox are a lot like runners.

One of my favorite aspects of any race is learning the back-stories of its runners. Nearly every runner has a reason they are running; many of w

hich are incredibly inspiring, against-all-odds kind of reasons. For them, crossing the finish line is their own rejubilation and victory over what could have (should have?) been defeat.

One of the most talked about joints in running injuries is the knee. A common concern is that people either have a history of knee pain or have been diagnosed with arthritis. They fear that running will make the pain worse.

I often hear people say that they don't run at all because it's bad for the knees. Recently, there have been two articles in the New York Times that have peaked my interest. They address and even challenge previous thoughts that running increases the risk of arthritis and places too much stress on the knee.

The first article sheds new light on the age old question of whether it is better to heel strike or forefoot strike while running, while the second article highlights a study on the risk of osteoarthritis among runners compared to walkers. The results of both studies may surprise you.

Click here to learn more.

Adidas has a legacy of running. The legendary Steve Prefontaine wore Adidas, and every time the world record time for the marathon has been broken since 2007, it's been done in an Adidas racing shoe (four times in the Adizero Adios alone). For those of us who want to harness the power of Adidas' speedy racing flat technology, but need a bit more "shoe", this review is for you!

The Adidas Adizero Aegis is built upon a similar platform as the Adios. Both shoes have the same midsole, but the Aegis adds a thicker top layer of Adiprene+, a proprietary material that adds a lot of bounce and spring, to make it a much friendlier shoe to those looking for a bit more protection and cushioning underfoot.

The medial side of the shoe is reinforced with extra Adiprene+ giving it some inherent stability which enables pronators to get more energy return when they transition to toe-off. Adidas' special Formotion unit in the heel also does a very good job at dispersing shock and transferring it into forward energy, making it a fast feeling shoe with none of the punishing pounding feeling. All of this sits on a Continental rubber outsole (same sticky tread featured on Continental Tires), to give you some of the best grip you can get out of a road shoe. 

The upper doesn't lack in innovation either. A tighter-woven mesh on the medial side adds a good amount of stability to the shoe, just to make sure the runner is getting what they need. You can count the number of overlays on one hand which decreases the shoe's weight and minimizes the risk for hot spots even on long runs. In all, the Aegis is a solid choice for racing and training.

Training during the winter (especially in CT) can be tough, but it is easier with friends which is why we're gearing up to host a plethora of programs for a variety of distances and abilities.  Registration will be opening soon for the following programs: 

Hyannis or Colchester Half Marathon: Starts Dec 7

Boston Marathon: Starts Jan 12 (includes VIP Perks!)

Bolton Road Race 5 Miler:  Starts Jan 4

No Boundaries Beginning 5k: Starts Jan 4 (run, run/walk and walk options available)

More details will be available in the next newsletter.

The weather pattern is changing and colder temperatures are dropping which means it's time for our annual "Predict the Snow, Win Mizuno Breath Thermo" contest!   
 
To participate, email me your best prediction of when Fleet Feet Sports West Hartford will receive its first inch of snow - month, day, hour and minute (example, December 2 at 4:13pm) in the Subject Line of your email. 

Snow depth will be determined with my state-of-the-art snow gauge (aka ruler) on my special 2'x2' "snowboard" so we're official.  Predictions are due by Midnight on Sunday, October 27, 2013.
 

Over the past seven years, the Center Kids Card has raised almost $200,000 for Connecticut Children's Medical Center thanks to the support of people like you! This year, over 80 of West Hartford Center & Blue Back Square's best stores and restaurants (including Fleet Feet Sports) are participating which means they will give you 20% off your purchases when you present your Kids Card.

Kids Card shopping days will run from October 24 through November 2.  The card is sold for $50 and 100% of the proceeds go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at CCMC.

Click here to purchase your card online at or stop by Fleet Feet Sports to purchase one.  Once you have the card, use it as many times as you'd like to save on jewelry, home decor, clothing, great meals and so much more throughout West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square.

Watch this video to learn more about the card and follow Kidscard on Facebook to keep up-to-date on new participants, special deals and more.

Let's face it - life gets busy. It is often a challenge in itself to maintain consistency with workouts. However, the most important part of our training is RECOVERY. This is usually the area of our training that is given the least attention. Who has the time really?! Your recovery has to be proportional to the intensity of your training.

I recommend sneaking small instances of recovery in throughout your day. You can set an alarm on your watch and make it a point to get up from your desk and stretch. I often tell my yoga clients to take a yoga pose and do that pose during commercials. I have been known to do homework with my kids while doing my yoga practice. If you are heating or icing any part of your body you can do that while sitting at your desk or making dinner. If you had a tough workout and you know that you will not have time to recover, wear your compression gear under your clothes for the day. Nutrition is also crucial. You get out what you put in. Make sure your food is local and/or organic. Make a smoothie to take to work or on the weekends make healthy snacks for the week.

The bigger picture of our recovery is making sure we have "recovery weeks" built into our training. Most of the time, I give my clients 3 weeks build and 1 week recovery. Now, the recovery week is an easier week to prepare for the build of the following 3 weeks.

The bottom line here is that the body needs rest to heal. If you find yourself unusually tired, dreading your workouts, or you are getting injured, this means that you have to step up your recovery.  Your next workout is only as good as your last recovery!

Hominy, often found canned in the Spanish/Mexican aisle of the grocery store, is made from kernels of corn that have been specially soaked to allow them to puff up to twice their normal size. The type of corn used is different from the corn on the cob variety and is the type used to make corn meal. The puffy, chewy texture is hard to duplicate and substituting another bean or grain does not deliver the same taste and texture. However, soups and stews are often so forgiving that replacing it with a more common bean or grain is certainly acceptable.

Hominy is a key ingredient in the popular Mexican stew, posole. But that's a recipe for another day. So when you're at the store, pick up a second can so you'll have it on hand for the "what to do with turkey leftovers" edition in late November. 

This stew is an easy way to feed your household meat and veggies in a single dish. In my spare time this summer I made this dish and froze it. Last week I was grateful to have this hearty stew available. It was a bowl full of smoky flavors. Play around with different versions of chili powder and peppers.  Ancho chili powder and a poblano pepper or two offer more smoky complexity to the stew.

Pork and Hominy Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 lbs pork tenderloin, cut into ½ inch pieces
• Olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium green peppers, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 14 oz can hominy, drained
• 1 14 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes

Directions:

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside 1 ½ tsp of the spice mixture. Add pork to the remaining spice mixture in a bowl. Tossing well to coat.
2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add pork mixture to the pan, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook 5 minutes or until browned. Remove pork from pan and set aside.
3. Add oil to the pan. Add the onion and saute for about 5 minutes until translucent. Next add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add in the pepper and sauté for another 35minutes.
4. Return the pork to the pot. Add reserved 1 ½ tsp spice mixture, broth, hominy and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Partially cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.

"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. 

Fleet Feet is proud to offer free in-store monthly doctor clinics. We will be hosting a variety of doctors from different specialties to help keep you running healthy. The doctors will be available for a free 10 minute consultation between 6 - 7pm on the FIRST WEDNESDAY of every month!

This month we are pleased to welcome podiatrist, Dr. Kurt Rode, from West Hartford Podiatry in Bishops Corner.  Dr. Rode understands runners because he is a runner himself! 

Please email Stacy to schedule your free consultation.  Only 6 appointment slots are available.

Are you curious about Newton's unique line of shoes?  Maybe you have a pair and want to learn how to best use them?  Or maybe you just want to learn how to run faster, stronger, more efficiently and with less chance for injury?

Join us during this free clinic and take a Test Run in a pair of Newton Running shoes and experience the benefits of Natural Running. 

Newton Educators Mike Blanchard & our own Caitlin Cunningham will be on-hand to educate you on Natural Running and teach you four simple cues to improving your running form. 

We will have Newton shoes for you to borrow (please arrive by 10:15am to get sized) - though, you don't need to wear Newton shoes to participate and benefit from this clinic.

Gino Caro, longtime FF Peep and owner of Fast Lane Performance Sports, is hosting a special workshop  at Fleet Feet Sports. The theme of this month's workshop is "Discovering Your Winning Potential".

During the workshop, athletes and their parents and coaches, will learn the proper steps and strategies to maximize their potential in leadership and talent within their sports of choice. Specifically, they will learn:

• Establishing a Great Work Ethic - what giving 100% means
• Competitive Greatness
• Preparation to Practice; then Practice to Perform at an Optimum Level
• Good to Great: Understanding the Difference
• Resolving Conflict within the Team
• Leading by Example
• Your Greatest Asset

Cost is $30 per person (each additional family member is $25)

To register, call Gino at 860-798-0420 or email gcaro@comcast.net. Registration deadline is Tuesday, November 12.