The "NEW" in New Year

So 2009 is upon us. The NEW year. What does that mean to you? Will you look back at 2008 and smile about the good times, maybe reflect on ways to improve? Or maybe you wont even look back at all, just look forward to the NEW year and all it will bring.

Here at the old shoe store we can't wait to run into the brand NEW year! The past few months we have been planning the 09 schedule like crazy and have actually come up with some pretty awesome NEW things! We are going to host NEW in-store events, have NEW local races to support, NEW teams and groups to train with and support, NEW training programs and tons of super cool NEW gear! Heck a few more NEW customers wouldn't hurt either! (but we really do love the old ones!)

So next time we see you and we say "happy NEW year" we really mean, happy NEW year. We can't wait for 2009 and all the NEW it will bring! We are just doing our little part to make your 2009 that much NEWER!

There is nothing like jumping headfirst into a NEW year ready to take it all on! With a fresh NEW clean slate just think of all of the NEW awesome things you will accomplish in 2009! So go out there and run your way into 2009 but just remember, when your feet start to hurt stop in for some NEW shoes!

Happy NEW year!

The (Dysfunctional) Fleet Feet Family Tree!

This time of year I always reflect affectionately upon spending quality time with family, both immediate and distant relatives. Sometimes we are lucky enough to visit with everyone in a destination that makes Cleveland look like…well, Cleveland. And other times, we have the same archetypical holiday lunacy that everyone knows and loves, or at least has learned to expect!

Here at Fleet Feet, as much as we love one another, I thought I would give you all some insight into how working in such a close knit retail environment can parallel the way a family interacts. Now, I know some would interpret this as airing dirty laundry but it is my understanding of “blogging” that this is its factual purpose, so here it goes:

Fleet Feet, Inc: The grandparents who keep us inline if (and when) we choose to stray. We may grumble now and then about their conservative ways, but at the end of the day, they are only looking out for our best interest.

The current staff…the guts and glory of all that is Fleet Feet Northfield. Vicki and I are the only girls, so I wish I could say the guys are protective like big brothers, but I am pretty sure it is more to their amusement if we are in awkward or uncomfortable situations. As for “the boys”. They fight like girls. And are pen thieves.

Let’s break it down…Vicki is the cool Aunt who lets you do anything you want when your parents are out of town but is WAY smarter than you so don’t try to outmaneuver her. Uncle Jer, what can I say, he is Uncle Jer. Everyone needs an Uncle Jer. Ry Guy is the little brother who tends to take the brunt of most jokes, but don’t worry all you youngest children out there, he can dish it out with the best of them! Frank has middle child syndrome. Never agrees with anyone but is always right…just ask him. Eddie is the cool cousin. Everyone wants to be him. And he just wants a Christmas ale. Jody is definitely the big brother. Everyone LOVES his watchful eye over EVERYTHING and the sarcasm is just to die for! And I guess I would classify myself as the little sister, just hoping that everyone will do everything for me! So there it is. Your local FF team…in the flesh!

And of course our trusty dog, Mickey. He might as well run this place. I think more people come to visit him than us. So what is that saying about us?

So all in all, I equate the Fleet Feet team to family because of the respect and admiration I have for every one of my family members. With that said, I should note the fact that my brother held me captive as a child handcuffed to a basketball pole while swinging a machete around my head. And there was the time he sold me for a nickel. And the time he put me out with the trash. I ask myself the same question you are thinking…where were my parents?

FF Christmas Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Awesome Homemade Italian Food and Socks

What does amazing Italian take out and equally sweet running socks have in common? Well, nothing actually except for both being on my mind right now. I think it's time we give props to our favorite lunch spot. I mean, everybody has one so why not shout it from the roof tops. Bella Renee's is right next to us to the east. It is a total mom and pop, everything authentic, everything homemade gem. I am talking huge portions and reasonable prices with really friendly people. Seriously we eat there all the time, actually when Ryan was putting in serious miles this summer he frequently ate there twice in one day. Here a few of our Favs: BBQ Chicken Pizza for sure, Chicken Parm Sub, their french fries & garlic bread rock, and finally the Pasta Dinner just to name a few. Anyway, without making this into a commercial for the joint, I just wanted to give credit to the best dang lunch place in Northfield as far as were concerned.

As for socks, we just brought in a secondary line of really cool socks called Feetures! Before that we were all about the Balega's (because they rock) and Smartwool (because wool is cool, and natural), and don't get me wrong they are still our top dogs, however we wanted a third baby and Feetues was the brand to make the cut. So after many closed door meetings, international video conference calls, and black tie formals, we made the executive decition to "what the hell, let's give'm a try!" No, no, really they are awesome socks, in a few different hights and thicknesses. I think if you love the Balega Hidden Comfort you will really like the Feetures Light Sock. Serioulsy though, they are worth a try next time you need socks. Only the best at FF!

Hey, I don't know about you, but anything soft and fresh. I need!

Summary time: Eat lots of Bella Renee's Italian Takeout, then run off the lbs. in your new Feetures Socks. Then go back to Bella Renee's for a homemade cookie for desert. Then feel guilty and have another run in your Feetures Socks. Then Repeat.

Enjoy.

...that little birdy in my ear said something to me about Watches and HRM 25% off Fri 12/5 and Sat 12/6 ONLY!..think about it Garmin 405 on the Cheap!

A running store...to say the least

You want to know why Fleet Feet is awesome? Okay, I'll tell ya...We are a running specialty shop right? Right, but to say we only run is quite inaccurate. Come to think of it we are a pretty eclectic group of all around athletes and gurus far beyond the sneaker scene that we love so much. Here's what I mean...

Between the 8 people that make the store tick day in and day out here is what you've got...(deep breath) Total triathlon/Ironman experts (or geeks, depending on your perspective), track and field/ cross country expert and "know-it-all". More road, mountain and general cycling know how than some low rate bike shops, local country club golf hero and legend, record holding collegiate swimmer, local gym fitness instructor and windsurfing fanatic (not to mention culinary & marketing genius), collegiate lacrosse player, all sorts of unreal 5k, 10k, half and full marathon times from a dude who is a full time student and 100+ weekly mile guy. A soft spoken, unassuming Collegiate All American cross country speedster! More (Boston quality and bonking alike) marathons, duathlons, aquathons and century rides than I wish to count, equal number days on the slopes as weekly run miles in the winter, one certified downhill ski technician and one certified Pedorthist, all sorts of downhill and freestyle skiing trophies (and scars), not to mention rock climbers, snowboarders, surfers, scuba/sky divers and maybe, just maybe, 1 or 2 medals, plaques, broken bones, sore muscles, absolute failures, total successes, and crazy "I'll never do that again/ I can't wait to do that again" stories to prove it...

So are we running specialty...sure, do we love talking about and helping with everything running...yep! But do we know a boat load of (potentially useless) stuff about other awesome outdoor activities that we can't wait to talk to you about?...You better believe it! Plus, we love hearing about all the crazy stuff you all do, so come tell us, maybe we will learn something new to tackle!

Oh and when it comes to indoor fun, if you want a real laugh, ask Frank or Jody who dominates the ping pong table...answers may vary.

LET IT RAIN, LET IT SNOW, LET IT....WHATEVER!!!

Today has been a fun day at Fleet Feet Sports, we had the 2008 Turkey Trot packet pick-up. It was great to see all of the new faces in the store picking up packets for the race on Turkey morning. Joining us for the afternoon were John Henry Creel and Jessica from Mind and Body Fitness. They were here doing body fat testing, stretching, and fitness advice for new and existing runners. So that was the serious part of the day...

In the middle of all the fun we managed to argue about the design of tri and bike kit for the 2009 team. Frank thinks it looks great, Heather thinks we could make it more refined, Jody thinks he wants to make it look a little better, and Eddie thinks he wants a blank kit at this point. So the moral of this story is one or two people make a design and don't show anyone!!! At the end of the day we all agreed on the design and to have Craft doing all of our team gear.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The "New" Guy/Snow

Hey! It snowed! That means it is effectively winter and it is time to get out all of the cold weather clothing and start layering...don't have any or enough? WE DO! Oh and last time I checked we have shoes too, the kind good for winter running or just trudging about through the slop! Here check them out!

Also, a little birdie in my ear told me something about 12 amazing days of SALES in December (get it? 12 days of...ya, you get it). So get that little Santa list of yours ready and come over for some killer deals on some killer winter clothing and kicks.

Oh, by the way, if you only recognized 3 of those crazy mugs on the top of the page, the 4th is Eddie! He is the "new guy" around here, full time, ex pro cyclist/ rockstar runner/ high school xc and track coach, but more than anything a totally awesome dude who has been in the biz for way longer than the other 3 peeps combined! Plus, he knows shoes like Cleveland knows snow, so next time your in, introduce yourself, he's kinda shy!..but don't tell him I said that!

Cheers.

The Lighter Side. Welcome!

Hello Friends of Fleet Feet Northfield,
Welcome to the lighter side of Fleet Feet, the less serious more light hearted blog about everything running, fitness, multisport and general store hoopla! The blog that will give you the juicy inside scoop to just what we're up to at Fleet Feet Sports Northfield that you don't normally see! You may be quite surprised by the crazy amount of shenanigans that we go through to make sure you love every experience you have at the store! We have too much fun with our jobs and we love it and want you to know all about it! We are pretty confident that we will offer you a good laugh at least! But more importantly check this blog frequently for secret "blog only" sales and specials! In addition to our rants and raves about the store, running, triathlon and geeky shoe talk, we will also hook you up with cool product reviews about the cool things we love and why think you might too! We will even ask you for help from time to time! What brands do you love, which ones do you wish we had? which ones don't you love?! We want to know and we want you to talk back! So without further delay add this link to your favs and check us out! We hope you all have fun with this blog because there is no doubt we will probably have too much!..Stay Tuned.