Warrior Moms
We're going to do GREAT things, Mom.
We're going to change people's lives.
 -  Chase Kowalski, Age 7, in a vision to his mom, Rebecca
 
Rebecca Kowalski Rebecca Kowalski wasn't a runner four years ago.  She was busy being a mom to her three kids. The youngest, Chase, dreamt of being a triathlete. Chase started running soon after learning to walk.  Riding a bike came next.  Then one summer, he taught himself how to swim in the backyard pool. At the age of six, he not only completed his first triathlon, he won his division!  Chase couldn't wait to race again.
 
Nelba Marquez-Greene wasn't a runner either.  Neither was her daughter, Ana, who was way more interested in music, dancing and sparkling than in sweating.  Ana was wise beyond her six years, always believing that Love Wins and reminding her mom to not let the stress of work consume her: "Don't let them suck your fun circuits dry, Mom".
 
Sadly, Chase and Ana would be among the 26 first-graders and educators killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. As mothers who have lost a beloved child, Rebecca and Nelba had every right to retreat into their homes and savor every memory of their child privately. But neither did.
 
These everyday moms stepped out of their comfort zones to do extraordinary things. They unselfishly shared their son and daughter with the world to create a legacy of good. They became the adopted moms of hundreds of kids because they believe that the loss of core family values and nurturing is at the root of violence in our society.  In turn, the local running community adopted them, and they became runners (albeit reluctant ones) who believed in the power of running to transform lives.
 
Through the Ana Grace Project, Nelba works tirelessly to bring the arts (music, theater, dance and running!) to youth, especially those in-need and at-risk, as a way to bring about positive change in the community. Fleet Feet was honored to be part of her "Love Wins: Finish the Race" event for the 5th graders at Chamberlin Elementary in New Britain where the kids got to experience college life at CCSU - everything from class to the cafeteria to sports - to fuel their own college dreams.
 Love Wins!
The highlight of the day was when the FF Staffers who run for CCSU passed out new sneakers to the kids and then raced them around the track. I have no doubt that those sneakers will help create a new generation of empowered runners that will choose love.
 
Rebecca made the words Chase spoke in a vision to her shortly after his death a reality by founding the CMAK Foundation and Race4Chase which funds pre-school, speech therapy and triathlon training for disadvantaged children.
 
I had the privilege of spending a morning with a group of "Chase's kids" at the Waterbury YMCA last summer. They proudly showed off their newly learned swimming and biking skills (one rode without training wheels for the first time ever!) and practiced the Good Form Running techniques I taught them. A few weeks later, they completed their first triathlon with humongous smiles and beaming confidence. This year, Chase's foundation will support over 1,000 kids in two states! 
 
Rebecca Kowalski Fleet Feet and Mizuno recognized Rebecca with their inaugural Power of Running to Inspire award and told her story via this powerful video.  Prepare to be inspired, heartbroken and ultimately uplifted.
 
This mother's day, lace up your sneakers and run a mile of gratitude in honor of Rebecca, Nelba and all the other wonderful moms who make our world a better place and show that love truly does win.     

 
Steph

Nancy's Picks for Mother's Day
Musee Bath Balms
FitBook
Motivate Wrap
Musee Bath Balms
Give the gift of relaxation and take away Mom's aches and stress with these hand-pressed, effervescent bath balms made with soothing essential oils, natural ingredients and a fun surprise inside.  They are wrapped and gift ready with a bow!
FitBook Journal
If you are like me writing it down makes me accountable to myself. I love my FitBook journal. It helps me create goals, plan my runs, track my progress and keeps me motivated. It fits easily into my running bag and on my nightstand. Mom will love this!
Momentum Bracelets
Wearing my Momentum bracelet gives me inspiration. The soft wrap is super comfortable and can be worn all day (even when I do yoga or run). So many fun and motivational sayings make them perfect to give to special friends and Moms. Which one will you choose?
RAD Rollers
Running in the Rain
Apres Run Bag
RAD Rollers
We love bringing you new massage and recovery tools. Coming soon is a new collection of massage tools from RAD. These were designed to replicate the touch of a trained massage therapist. Be the first to stop in and try out the demos. They feel oh so good! 
Running Hats
So it seems this may be a rainy spring so Mom will need a new running hat. We have lots of new hats to choose from. Nike, Saucony and North Face to name a few. Great spring colors and styles to choose from. It may be difficult to choose just one! 
Apres Run Bag
Purchase a Fleet Feet Gift Card for $100+ and receive this awesome Apres Run waterproof zip bag from Brooks.  The perfect wrapping "paper" for Mom's gift!  Limited quantity available so hurry in!

Natalie's Shoe Reviews
The long-awaited update to the Saucony Ride is finally here and Hoka One One premieres a new shoe!
 
Saucony Ride 9 The newest version of Saucony's neutral trainer, the Ride 9 now features EVERUN, a more lively and responsive cushioning material placed closer to the foot via Topsole construction. EVERUN provides smoother landings in the heel and reduced pressure in the forefoot.
 
The Ride 9 also has a new outsole design, which delivers more ground contact and optimal flexibility at toe-off, and Flexfilm, the no-sew overlay which enhances fit without adding weight. The fit is a little snugger, so don't be surprised if you need to go up a 1/2 size.
 
Hoka One One Clayton Hoka One One, a brand known for its maximum cushioning and lightweight feel, has premiered a responsive and extremely stable trainer for long distances. The Hoka Clayton features a two-part PRO2LITE midsole with a slightly softer foam in the rear for impact protection at footstrike and a firmer, very responsive foam material in the forefoot that results in amazing energy return. 
 
The Clayton retains Hoka's early stage Meta-Rocker and its energetic RMAT foam material on the bottom of outsole that work together to help smooth the foot's movement from heel to toe.  Your foot is meant to sit a little lower inside the shoe, which, combined with a little bit more height added to the inside wall of the shoe, helps to reduce overpronation late in a long race or run while keeping the foot comfortable.

In-Store Events
Calendar
There's always something going on at Fleet Feet and in our Running Community - visit our online calendar to keep up with the latest. 
 
Weekly Events:
  • Wed Fun Runs (6:30pm at the store) - Free
  • Thurs Track Workouts (6pm at Hall HS) - Free
  • Sat Injury Assessments w/Select PT (9:30-11am at store) - Free
  • Sunday Yoga & Mobility w/Meghan (5:30pm at the store) - $15
Special Events:
  • Fun Run w/Darn Tough Socks 
    - Wed, May 4 @ 6:30pm
  • Fun Run w/New Balance (Tacos!) - Wed, May 11, @ 6:30pm
  • Fun Run w/Saucony (Ice Cream Sundae Bar!) - Wed, May 18 @ 6:30pm
  • Healthy Running Clinic w/Select PT - Thurs, May 19 @ 6-8pm
  • Trail Running Expo - Tues, May 31 @ 6-8pm

Celebrate West Hartford 5k: June 5
It's time to register for our favorite hometown race: the 29th Annual Celebrate West Hartford 5k & kids fun run!  The USATF certified 5k begins at 9:30am and is open to runners and walkers of all ages.
 
The mostly flat course starts and ends near Whole Foods in West Hartford Center/Blue Back Square.  Competition is always tough as this race features great prizes, like Fleet Feet gift certificates, for all age group winners.   
 
There will also be a � mile kids Fun Run that starts at 8:30am.  All kids aged 10 and under will receive a race number and a finisher's medal!
 
After the race, plan on staying to enjoy the community fair that includes an arts & crafts show, great food, entertainment, games and rides.  It's fun for the whole family!
 
For more information or to register online, click here (register before June 1 for early bird pricing).
 
Fleet Feet Sports will be hosting race registration and packet pick-up on Friday, June 3 from 3-6pm and on Saturday, from 9am-Noon.  Come early and skip the hectic rush on race day.  As an added incentive, the first 800 registrants receive a free bright green tech tee!  
 
All proceeds from the race go to the West Hartford Leisure Services Scholarship Fund to help financially disadvantaged kids participate in organized recreational programs.

Featured Events & Races
 
Middletown Summer Series
2016 Summer of Run - Begins May 17 @ 6:30pm
This six-race 5k series will take place on the following Tuesdays: 5/17, 6/7, 6/28, 7/19, 8/9 & 8/30.  All races will begin on the picturesque Westlake Bike Path at the end of Tuttle Place in Middletown, CT. There will be series & finale awards on August 30. The cost is $12 per race, but if you sign up for all six races before May 17, you save $10. All proceeds benefit St. Vincent de Paul Middletown.  Register here.
Simsbury Running Clinic
"Tune Up Before You Lace Up" Clinic - Thurs, May 19 @ 6pm
Join us at Select Physical Therapy in Simsbury for the next session of our Healthy running clinic series featuring educational clinics and hands-on activities like live video gait analysis using a Dartfish simulator, an introduction to Fusionetics, dry needling & instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization demonstrations, injury assessments, Shoe School with Fleet Feet, cross-training with Tyler English and awesome raffle prizes like a $100 gift certificate to Fleet Feet Sports!
 
Space is limited to 40 people - please RSVP to Karleigh Feda, DPT.
  Cap & Gown 5k
Cap & Gown 5k Run/Walk - Fri, May 20 @ 6pm
Join us for a new take on our scenic 5K run or an invigorating walk on the beautiful tree-lined roads near the CVH reservoirs behind the Middlesex Community College campus. Free technical tank tops for the first 200 registrants and great prizes for the best cap and gown costume.  Pre-register by May 6 and pay just $20 - kids run is FREE!  Visit www.mxcc.edu/5K for additional information.
Amica Iron Horse
Amica Iron Horse - Sun, June 5
Join us for a fantastic day of running through the picturesque farmlands of Simsbury and the Farmington River.  Choose from a variety of distances including 5k, 10k, Half Marathon & Kids Run!  Come see for yourself why the Amica Iron Horse was selected as one of Bart Yasso's Favorite Picks in Runner's World.  Need another incentive? Check out the awesome grilled cheese sandwich medals!
 
Don't wait to register.  These races will be sold out by the end of the month. 
  50 Best 2016
Nominate Us (please!):
Every year 
Competitor Magazine compiles a list of the 50 Best Running Stores in America.  We were honored to be named one of those "50 Best" in the past and hope to earn that designation again this year.  

The first step is achieving enough nominations from people like you to gain us entry into the second round where stores are judged on 20 criteria including programing, environment, community service, vendor relationships .  We would appreciate your nomination via this short online form that should take less than a minute to complete.   


Aubrey's Recipe
Get Out N' Play Logo
Berry Smoothie Bowl
 
Last newsletter, featured a salmon salad bowl recipe. This week use that bowl for your breakfast smoothie. The trend is to make your smoothie thick enough so you can eat it with a spoon, ditching the straw. The consistency is thick and ice cream-like.
 
My favorite part is the toppings. All over Pinterest and Instagram, there are pics of beautifully showcased berries, seeds and fruit upon bowls of vibrant hued fruit and veggie blended creations. This recipe is a great starting point, without any fancy powders or tropical hard to find fruits. As more produce comes into season, take advantage of those fresh flavors. You may never look at your bowl of oatmeal the same again. 

 
Click Here for Recipe
Store Hours:
Monday: 10am - 7pm
Tuesday: 10am - 7pm
Wednesday: 10am - 8pm
Thursday: 10am - 7pm
Friday: 10am - 7pm

Saturday: 10am - 5:30pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm*

* Now Open Sunday's at 11am!

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