Running and Walking Friends

When we moved to Bridge Street, we alluded to the many new programs, products and opportunities we could newly bring to the community. In this newsletter, we will introduce some of the things we have been working on over the past year.

There is no doubt that the Triathlon movement is in full force in Central New York. Great local triathlon events and the additions of Irongirl and Ironman National Series Events in the Syracuse area have created the need for a beginners Triathlon program.  We are proud to announce Fleet Feet Tri, a sprint distance Triathlon Program that is designed for beginners or those who may have competed in a triathlon or two and want to improve. See all the details for this program in this newsletter.

In support of our new Tri Program, we are now stocking wetsuits by Zoot and Nineteen. We also have added great tri shorts, cycling shorts, tri tops and cycling tops, swim accessories, Zoot Triathlon inspired running shoes and more.

Join Fleet Feet Sports and New Balance to walk or run your first 5k, with our No Boundaries Program. No Boundaries has options for beginners and for those who would like to improve their 5k. Last year over 400 people participated in the spring or summer sessions, which features individual coaching and an inclusive group environment that will carry participants to the finish line. We will cover full details for No Boundaries in the newsletter next week.

We have even more new products and programs we will be announcing in the next few months, so keep watching and thanks for your support!

Announcing Fleet Feet Tri

Fleet Feet is proud to announce its first Sprint Triathlon Program for Beginners. This 14 week training program will put an emphasis on creating a fun, comfortable, and motivating atmosphere for learning the fundamentals of swimming, biking, running, transitions, equipment, nutrition, and mental planning. Participants will have their choice of a goal race, either the 2010 Irongirl at Oneida Shores (women only) or the Cazenovia Triathlon (co-ed). Program sessions will begin on May 5th.

USA Triathlon Certified Instructors Brendan Jackson and Denise Clark will lead participants and provide:

Cost of the Program is $185.00 and the class will be limited to 50 participants. You can send in your registration now to be assured a spot.

*The program does not include the race entry fee but participants will receive a discounted rate for either race.

Information clinics for the program will be held at the store at 6:00 PM, Wednesday March 3 and Thursday March 4th in The Fleet Feet Community Room, 5800 Bridge St.  Download a program registration form here.

For more information please contact Brendan Jackson

Functional Movement Clinic could help you
By Ken Hammond, Fleet Feet Sports Marketing

On February 24th Fleet Feet Sports, Syracuse will be host to Ehren Heyer from Goldwyn and Boyle Physical Therapy in Cortland. Ehren will be conducting a Functional Movement Screening, free of charge to anyone who wishes to participate. To find out a little more of what a Functional Movement Screening is, I sat down with Ehren and had a few questions:

Who is the most likely to use this testing?

Every individual that desires to stay active and reduce injuries can utilize the FMS screen.  There is no physical or physiological reason that anyone shouldn't be able to perform the movements with some amount of compensation as needed.

Why is the FMS important to runners and walkers?

The FMS is especially important to runners/walkers and those that take to athletic endeavors because of the amount of additional strain on the body during activity.  Top athletes are sometimes able to compensate for their limitations and imbalances better, but they are not immune to the injuries that result from this.  By ensuring symmetrical balance and limiting major underlying deficiencies, the FMS provides a way to improve efficiencies and reduce injuries.  In the short run, it can allow you to run longer, faster, and stay in the race.

What information does the screening give?

The FMS provides a starting point to determine where there are weak links in the system.  Determining where there are imbalances and where there are fundamental limitations can show what areas are most important to target exercises for corrections.

What are all of the exercises that you do during the testing?

The movements encompassed in the FMS Screen include:

Deep Squatting, Hurdle Step (stepping over a knee high obstacle), In Line Lunge (split-squatting one knee to the floor), Shoulder Mobility (touching closed fists behind the back), Active Straight Leg Raise (lifting one leg up while supine on the floor), Trunk Stability Push-UP (a push up with specified hand positions), Rotary Stability (touching one knee to the same side elbow while on hands/knees).

(Ken:) With all of this said, I decided to try the FMS screening. It pointed out some weaknesses I did not know I had as a runner and how I was compensating to propel my body forward mile after mile. With results in hand and some exercises to help in these weak spots I am hoping for many injury free miles this year.

If you would like to meet with Ehren and go through the Functional Movement Screening, join us on February 24th at 6pm. The screening takes about 5 minutes so please call and schedule an appointment at 446-1444. 

Form a team for 2010 Race for the Cure, meet here Saturday

The 2010 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is off to a strong start. This year celebrates the 16th Race. What started in 1995 as a successful 2,000 person event in the neighborhoods surrounding Shoppingtown Mall has now grown to be one of the largest events in Central New York. We eagerly anticipate more than 10,000 participants who will join together on May 15th to help us work toward our goal of making breast cancer a disease of the past.  

One of the most rewarding ways to participate is to create a team of family members, friends and/or colleagues. Teams contribute to the Race’s spirit and sense of community and help strength­en the bonds among team members. You only need 10 people to register as a team. Your team can be made up of competitive and non-competitive runners, walkers, kids, and even those who prefer to sleep-in while supporting the cause.

Becoming a team captain is fun and rewarding. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Team Captain please join us at Fleet Feet Sports on Saturday February 20th from 9:30 – 10:30am.

Local Running Briefs

William Hoyne, nephew of Kitty Hoynes owner David Hoyne, has formed the Kitty Hoynes Run Club.  Kitty Hoynes Run Club is for runners of all abilities. The Club Moto is: Walk, Run, Jog, Crawl. Good health. Good friends. Good times.

For the next few Saturdays leading up to the Shamrock Run on Tipp Hill, the Kitty Hoynes Run Club is conducting training runs from the restaurant. Coffee and water will be available before the run and snacks and prize raffles will be provided after the run inside Kitty Hoynes. The run starts at 9:15 AM at Kitty Hoynes, 310 West Fayette Street in Syracuse’s Armory Square.

The 2010 Dunn Tire Mountain Goat Application Booklet is now available at Fleet Feet Sports. It will soon make its way to local YMCA’s, area gyms, health clubs and other businesses around the Central New York area.

The Heat Up Hamilton Duathlon will be held this Sunday in Hamilton. The Duathlon consists of a beautiful Cross Country ski course, followed by a 5k run in the streets of Hamilton. Don’t have skis? No problem, rentals will be available.

High School Running Scene
By Lauren MacDonald

It’s that time of year again, Valentine’s Day, when love is in the air and everyone takes a closer look at their relationships, myself included. The relationship I’m examining isn’t with my boyfriend though. No, it’s a much more important relationship than that; I was reading an article in Runner’s World when on the opposite page I noticed a New Balance ad that read, “Last night you broke up with running”, and it got me thinking.

You see, I broke up with running in November; I thought our relationship had been too abusive and so I hunkered down for the long winter without running. Now, I am not saying we didn’t see each other occasionally, heck, we even had a nine day affair covering some indoor practices and even a 1500 race, but it wasn’t the same. Running and I didn’t keep in touch much, we saw each other briefly when I went to cheer on my friends at indoor meets, or if I escaped my bundle of warmth to risk the open road every now and then, but all-in-all not too much closeness.

I saw running the other day, he gave me a glance of what I had been missing out on, he provided a mirror to reflect my stupidity in breaking up with him and then, he opened his arms in welcome and yet – I turned away. Our reconciliation was not going to happen, I was stubbornly sure of it, until last Thursday when I succumbed, my last bits of self-will crumbling; I ran. We aren’t exactly like we used to be, I can’t say we’re necessarily back together, but we’re “talking”. Some days I abandon him, others I’m steadfastly faithful, but this Valentine’s Day, we’re starting anew; rekindling our old flame, because my valentine this year is running.