It's test time

If I was still in school I'd be nervous right about now. Actually I wouldn't be as I never really worried too much about how I did. Of course the testing I have coming up should be fun.

Last month I started testing a shoe from a new brand called End. Very nice shoe and I'll keep logging some miles on it. It is a little wide for my foot but man is it light. I wore it for a 10k race the other week and also for some snowshoeing and it feels really nice. Much better then when I wore it in Houston last month which tells me that it was me not the shoes.

I also got my hands on some new Nike and Pearl Izumi shoes to test out. The Nikes should perform well as I think they've really got it right this time on this model. The Pearls will rock. The Pace has been our best seller from them and this imnproved version fixes many issues that I had with them.

This week, adidas, Mizuno, Ecco and Puma sent me pairs to test. When it rains it pours I guess.

The Nike, Pearls and Mizunos are models that we have in stock or are arriving very shortly. The adidas is a model that they really want me to stock. These are all updates of proven shoes so I won't need to spend too much time in them but it will be good to log a few miles in some new models.

The Ecco is really interesting but as I've mentioned before these things are not cheap. The model I'll be testing will retail for around $180 and they have another model at $220. They have a very cool new concept on how to build a shoe but that price is scary. I'll see if they are really worth it. In the very least they look super cool, as long as you like funky Euro styling.

The model I am most eager to test is the new Puma Vectana that will be coming out this summer. Not many people think of Puma as a running brand but they make some really nice shoes that work very well. What excites me about this new one is that it will work for way more people then their old models.

Puma has worked well for very narrow feet that need a low to the ground feel. The new stuff will be much more traditional. Wider forefoot, more midsole height and what at first try on is a great fit and feel. I plan to get some miles on this one asap and if it works like I think it will this will be a shoe to watch in the near future.

The good thing is that I need to get running so I can get in shape for an upcoming trail race and knowing that I have all these models to test out will force me to get out the door.

If you see me out there feel free to ask me about the shoes on my feet as they will be in test mode. If by chance you wear a 10.5 mens stabilty I just might let you take them for a spin.

compression sleeves

After running an ultra in France back in the fall of 2007 I started searching out brands of compression socks and sleeves. You see about 30% of the field at Cours de Templier were wearing Booster Compression socks. So I first searched for Booster but they don't sell them in the US and they are crazy expensive.

I had heard of Zensah and they quickly sent me out a pair to test. I've been wearing that pair for a year both while running and while sleeping after hard efforts. Needless to say I like them.

So why compression sleeves. Well first of all I've had calf issues for a few years. While running in them the compression helps to reduce vibration and to help with blood flow. Both of those things have been very good for my legs.

The other reason is that I haven't been training all that much but when I do I most likely will do too much (like yesterday when I ran a half marathon on snowshoes) In these cases I will leave the sleeves on after finishing and then wear them all night while I sleep. I've found this to drastically reduce soreness the next day.

Why Zensah calf sleeves. Well I like how they work. I've tested both sleeves and socks from many brands and chose to stock these cause they just plain work. Other brands lacked compression. Some were way over priced. Compression socks can be nice but I like having the option of wearing my own socks (Balega or Darn Tough)

So after testing a half dozen brands and styles I found that the Zensah calf sleeves performed best and were at a reasonable price.

If you have calf issues or would like to speed up your recovery I'd highly suggest giving them a try. In the very least you'll gain Euro trail runner style points.

Now go outside and play

A week of learning

As I last posted I just spent a few days at a conference in Irving, TX. One of the days was spent attending a trade show from the industry and the rest was spent in lectures and meetings. Not always exciting but you do learn a lot.

Here are a few highlights in no real order

• Met the CEO of New Balance. It isn't every day that you get to meet a guy that runs a billion dollar company.
• I think the changes Pearl Izumi has made to there shoes will be very good. I spent a little time talking with their run team (Chuck, Geoff, Bob) and we are all on the same page for once.
• Ecco has made a really cool niche shoe (pictured above), that I will be testing shortly. The down side is I don't think it is the best time for a brand to launch a $200+ shoe.
• Spent some time talking with JD Denton from Fleet Feet Davis. Many runners know JD as the Shoe Guy from Running Times magazine. I learn something everytime I talk with him and I'm glad I can call him anytime I need to.
• I was curious why Zoot hadn't sent their top team leaders as they usually do. Then it was anounced on Thursday that Zoot was sold to K2, so that makes sense. It will be nice for them to have some good money behind them.
• Testing a new brand on a tired foot on a concrete path is rough on the feet. Standing all day at a trade show is worse.
• I also tested the new Saucony Guide. Very nice ride but it may be the narrowest Saucony since the Procyon. That may be an issue for some long time Saucony wearers.
• Spent some good time talking with VP's and line managers from many companies. It is always good to be able to talk higher up the food chain then the ocal rep. We are lucky that we have gotten to know many of the people that have a lot of influence inthe industry.
• Saucony has made one hell of a winter/mud trail shoe for next fall. Based on a great current shoe but with an added waterproof gaiter. This thing will rock.
• adidas is really trying to become a relevant running company again. I think it is always important that the big players take our channel seriously.
• We had a fashion show on Monday that was a lot of fun. Some companies know how to do it right.
• Sat in on a talk from the head of buying for Nike Stores. She had some very smart ways to do buying that they have just developed and we will be using for fall '09.
• Go to Texas in the winter and you would think it would be warm. Wrong, sub 30 in the am for the runs.

I'm sure I learned more but that's it for now.

Conference update

I'm down in Dallas (Irving to be accurate) getting ready for a few days of meetings. I'll try to post a bit as I'll have a few meetings with different industry types (Nike, Saucony, Brooks, etc) and I'll be spending the week testing a new shoe from a new brand.

Last night was a nice group dinner compliments of adidas. Carrie Tollefson, the 2004 Olympic Trials 1500 champion, joined us and gave a little talk. After dinner a 2008 Olympian stopped by but I forgot his name.

It was great to catch up with some old friends. Most interesting was talking with Shawn and Kim Fenty about the upcoming Inaugaration. They own the Wash. DC Fleet Feet Sports and Shawn's brother is the Mayor of the city. They plan to close the shop for the day as they are just a few miles from the White House and spend it at home watching on TV.

I'll update later after my first run in the new shoes.

Live FIT.

A little Holiday Poem

This came to my in box from my friends at Fleet Feet Sports St. Louis

How the Grinch Got Fit

Every Who down in Whoville liked Running a lot...

But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville, did NOT!

The Grinch hated Running! The whole Running season!

Would you like to know why? Well, I might know the reason.

it could be his head wasn't screwed on just right,

But it could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.

Yes, I think that the most likely reason of all

Is that his running shoes were two sizes too small.

Whatever the reason, his head or his shoes,

He stood there all brooding and hating the Whos,

Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown,

At the runners all running about in their town.

For he knew every Who down in Whoville below,

Was busy now, jogging around in the snow."

And they're running in comfort!" he snarled with a glare.

For the Whos shopped at FLEET FEET (and Fitlosophy's there).

Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,"

I MUST find some way to stop Whoville from running!"

For tomorrow, he knew, all those ridiculous Whos

Would wake bright and early. They'd rush for their shoes!

And then! Oh, the fun! Oh, the fun!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

That's the one thing he hated! The FUN!

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Then the Whos, young and old, would go out for a run!

And they'd run! And they'd run! And they'd run!

RUN! RUN! RUN!

They would run down the road, they would run up the streets,

Which was something the Grinch couldn't stand in the least!

And THEN they'd do something he liked least of all!

Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,

Would all run together and all have a ball!

And they'd jog and they'd laugh and then run some more!"

It must be," he thought, "because of that store."

And the more the Grinch thought of the Fitlosophy bit,

The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop that FIT!

For fifteen years I've put up with this now!

I must stop Whoville from Running! But HOW?

Then he got an idea! An awful idea!

THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!

I know just what to do," the Grinch laughed as he grabbed

A white little label to use as a tag.

And he chuckled and clucked, "This will cause quite a stir!

I'll be Whoville's first phony Fitlosopher!

I'll provide the wrong fit! The Whos won't know

What caused the big blister on Whoville's big toe!

All I need is an S3..." The Grinch looked around,

But, since S3's were scarce, there were none to be found.

Did that stop the old Grinch? No! The Grinch simply said,

"If I can't find an S3, I'll make one instead!"

So he found an old calculator, some plastic and glue,

"It isn't quite right... but I suppose it'll do."

Then at night that old Grinch in disguise headed down

Toward the store while the Whos lay asnooze in their town.

The windows were dark, quiet snow filled the air,

When he came to the dear little store on the square.

He sneaked into the shop with a wink and a pinch,

For he was a sly one, that awful, sneaky Grinch.

He saw all the shoes on the wall in a row.

"These shoes," he grinned, "are the first things to go!"

And he mixed up the shoes-stability and style-

And then what he did, with a terrible smile,

Was fill all the FLEET FEET water bottles with rocks!

And replace the synthetic with all COTTON socks!

He created new flavors of Sport Beans and GU-

Like Monkey Brain Punch and Swamp Water Stew!

Then he snatched all the Garmins (and in this he found pleasure)

And replaced those devices with a simple tape measure!

He knocked down the books that were tidy and stacked

And took the reflective gear-and painted it black!

Then he viewed all the damage and cackled with glee,

"This will stop the Whos from running. I did it! ME!

PoohPooh to the Whos!" he was Grinchishly humming,

They're finding out now there will be no more Running!

They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!

Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,

Then the Whos down in Whoville will all cry BooHoo!

That's a noise," grinned the Grinch, "That I simply MUST hear!"

So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.

But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!

It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!

Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Fitlosopher was there, busily cleaning

And re-organizing the store-from the floor to the ceiling.

They were fitting for socks! They were fitting for shoes!

They were fitting for running! They were fitting the Whos!

The store was wide open! And the talk of the town

Was how even a Grinch couldn't keep FLEET FEET-ers down!

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling, "How could it be so?"

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe FLEET FEET," he thought, "is more than a store.

Maybe FLEET FEET... perhaps... means a little bit more!"

And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say

That the Grinch's small shoes grew three sizes that day!

He went to be fitted-yes, the Grinch! Got fitted! It's true!

The Grinch went to FLEET FEET to find the right shoe!

He sat on the bench and had his feet evaluated.

Then he ran on the sidewalk... and over-pronated!

He was given a shoe with the proper stability and fit

(And it's a good thing, too, for he hurt quite a bit).

Yes, the Grinch overcame his chronic Grinch-itis

And even bought inserts for his plantar fasciitis.

And the minute the old Grinch's feet stopped their aching,

Every Who in Whoville's hand the Grinch started shaking.

"Who would have thought I'd be FIT?" he asked. "Who would have thought I'd have

fun?"

And then HE, HE HIMSELF! The Grinch went for a run!

All of us at FLEET FEET hope you

have a wonderful holiday season!

The new New Balance

When I first got started in this industry I use to joke when a customer came in saying they wore New Balance running shoes. They could never remember the number so I would ask the blue one or the grey one as those were the only options.

Well Newbie finally figured out how to do colors (sometimes) but they were still perceived to be "your fathers shoes" ie shoes for old guys with wide flat feet. That is about to change thanks to PL-1.

What the heck is PL-1 you ask? Well it is the new last from NB. The last of a shoe is the form that it is built around. New Balance has 26 different lasts to chose from but up until now the majority of their running shoes fit wide, with volume to spare and lots of time pretty sloppy in the arch and rear foot.

Now with the PL-1 last, runners have the option of a New Balance with a narrower forefoot without so much volume, a snugger heel and better fitting arch support. I personally have a PL-1 foot and love the fit of the new 769's and 1063's.

Will everyone be happy with this new fit, of course not. I'm sure some long time New Balance wearers will have to make some changes. That is not an issue as Newbie still has their SL-1 and SL-2 lasts in other models or a person may just have to switch up to a EE from a D width in the PL-1. Any FIT specialist would be able to help a person make the switch.

What this does for New Balance is open up a huge part of the running community that just couldn't get a good fit in their old shoes. Back in June I had an SL-1 lasted 768 on my left foot and a PL-1 lasted 769 on my right foot and could not believe how much better the 769 fit my foot. As soon as my calf heals I'll be logging some miles in the production 769's. I haven't been able to actually train in a NB in a very long time.

So if you've avoided New Balance for many years 'cause they just didn't fit your foot, it might be time to give them another look. And they have some nice colors, not that navy or grey aren't nice colors.

Live FIT.

Play hard

That's Bart, our 2 year old Australian Shepard and he's tired. Let me explain why. (And yes we know he is incredibly cute but he is also crazy as can be.)

So we've been hit with the first good snow storm of the season over the last week. For some that means hiding inside and avoiding being out in the cold as much as possible. For us that means grabbing the snowshoes and heading for the powder.

On the 17th we hosted the first Fleet Feet Sports Snow Cheap Winter Trail Race. While we didn't have enough snow to use snowshoes we did get 120+ runners to come out and run the trails, on snow, in the dark. What made the night so special for us was that everyone just really appeared to be out having fun. Sure some raced hard but most just wanted to experience the joy of running something different. To hear adults just laughing as they ran was very special.

On the 19th we got hammered with snow, so what did we do? As soon as we closed up the shop we met a few friends for a night time snowshoe run/hike at the local park. 7 people, 3 dogs and tons of fresh powder, what could be better? Well the mexican food at Dorado post workout came close to being better.

On the 21st Ellen and I took Bart out to a park we've never been to (well I have but I grew up here so I think I've been to almost every park) Again it would be a headlamp hike as it was real dark out and the snow was real deep. We didn't go long but what a nice hike. No one else was out and we hiked along a pond and out onto a golf course where the powder was super deep, especially for Bart. He could just keep his chin above the snow in parts but man he loves the snow.

Finally on the 22nd we did hit a park that neither one of us has ever been to. It is a new one so it wasn't around when I was younger. It was after work so we grabbed the lamps, the dog and the snowshoes and headed out. We would only be out for 35 minutes or so but this was a great hike. Again we were all alone but the beauty of our surroundings was breathtaking. The trail was super narrow with deep powder all around. It was very dark back in the trees so all we had was the beam from our headlamps, very cool.

During this time of year when everyone is just way too busy I thought it was important that we just went out and played in the snow. I was never worried about getting in a "workout" or how tough it was, I just wanted to get outside in some fresh air and play in the snow with some friends, my wife and our dog. Don't get so caught up in your day that you forget to just have some fun.

I think we all need to be more like Bart. He is a working breed so he needs a job to do (his official title at the store is female customer aquisition specialist, aka chicks dig him) All he really wants to do is play (and eat) and when he gets to, he plays hard. When he is done playing he sleeps and then he starts all over again. Work, play, sleep, repeat. Makes sense to me.

Live FIT.