FLEET FEET Flyer #20

September 1st, 2008 Issue 20

Greetings, Friends!

As much as we love summer and hate to see its last few days slip away until next year, we can't help but be excited about the fresh, crisp, inviting prospect of fall. As the results of the last Flyer's survey show, fall is by far the most popular time of year for running, walking, hiking, and spending time in the great outdoors. The hazy, heavy air of August is blown away by the cool, invigorating breezes of autumn, and we are filled with a sense of renewal and restoration. Even the small traditions of autumn are motivating-- from the retrieval of packed-away sweaters to the buying of school supplies. As simple as it seems, a box of pencils in perfect formation and an abundance of neatly-stacked notebooks hints of adventures yet to be had and stories yet to be told.

In keeping with the tradition of small little supplies that motivate and delight, FLEET FEET has brought in several new products that can add both practicality and fun to your training. A brightly-colored array of BPA-free water bottles brings a full spectrum of color to your hydration, and a new, streamlined Amphipod hand-held water bottle is our lightest, most easily-carried water bottle ever. We are also extremely excited to be carrying two new Moving Comfort bras-- the Grace and the Alexis bras. Providing superior support and comfort, the Grace and Alexis have already garnered rave reviews from the ladies at FLEET FEET. Another great product to try is GU's Roctane, a nutritional gel with protein for improved muscle recovery and endurance. Roctane comes in two great flavors-- Blueberry Pomegranate and Vanilla Orange-- so be certain to try both! And if you like the Nike duffle bags we have but want something a bit more minimalist, check out our new Nike totes that give you just the room you need without being overly bulky.

We hope to see you, soon, and as always, if you have questions about any our our products, don't hesitate to ask!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at FLEET FEET St. Louis

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We are excited to send out the FLEET FEET Flyer, and we would love to hear back from you! Feel free to send any comments directly to me via email. Happy Running!

Sincerely,
Amy Marxkors
Editor

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Katie Schoenholz and Baby Fritz

Employee Spotlight: Katie Schoenholz

Ironman, FLEET FEET store manager, and new mama Katie Schoenholz is pretty busy these days. Taking care of her six-month-old son, Fritz, and keeping up with her responsibilities at the store can make every day a marathon of its own. Recently, however, we were able to steal a few minutes with Katie and ask her a few questions about training, relaxing, and motivation. Join us as we get to know Katie just a little bit better!

Where are you from originally?

I am from Kalamazoo, Michigan.

How long have you been working at FLEET FEET?

Eight years in September.

Where did you go to college and what was your major?

Western Michigan University. I majored in Elementary Education.

How long have you been a runner and triathlete?

I’ve been a runner for seventeen years and a triathlete for seven years.

What started you in running? The triathlon?

I started running when I was a freshman in high school, and I ran cross country. I got into triathlons because I had to start cross-training. Too many miles running began to result in too many injuries.

What do you love most about running? The triathlon?

What I love the most about both of these sports are the places they have taken me, the people they have brought into my life, and the connection they have given me with my own body.

What is your favorite running memory?
This is a tough question because so many of my best memories are somehow related to running. Everything about the Boston Marathon from the years that I ran, to my last trip supporting my husband, are very special to me. There is something magical about both the city of Boston and the marathon itself. Seeing spectators stacked at least six deep and hearing the girls at Wellesley scream from a half-mile away is something I will never forget. For four years in a row my brother and I met there to enjoy the entire experience. I am now able to share these memories with my husband, who ran it in 2007 while I watched from the finish line, choosing not to run so that I could prepare my body for baby. We look forward to running it together in the near future.

A close second has to be actually running the marathon of an Ironman. I love triathlon, but I will always be a runner, so after 114.4 miles of racing, it was nice to finish strong doing something so familiar. My coach (who is also my husband) prepared me very well.

When you are not running, what do you like to do?

I love to spend time relaxing with my family. In the summer, this is usually time by the pool.

Do you play any other sports?

I do not.

Have a hidden talent?

I took tap dancing lessons for fourteen years and piano lessons for ten.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I would love to be a professional athlete. Having a personal chef, a personal trainer, a masseuse, and a long list of credentials, all while doing what I love to do anyhow, would be a wonderful thing.

What is your favorite food indulgence?
Ice cream, absolutely!

If your life had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely have to be on it?
I’ll give you the brief answer as it seems everything in my life could be associated with music. Journey and early Michael Jackson sum up my youth, U2 sums up everything (they’re the best, after all), Semisonic and The Killers sum up my marriage so far, and nursery rhymes currently run through my head on a regular basis.

"I could never live without...?"

My family, hands down.

"I could totally do without...?"

Stress, cancer, and Ohio State.

"I am a huge fan of...?"

College football-– Go Blue!

What is your life's motto?

I have several quotes that I apply when necessary, but two of my favorites are “Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the conquest of it,” and “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”

Registration for the Lewis and Clark Marathon and Half Marathon closes on Sunday, September 7th, at 11:59PM. Registration close is final, and absolutely no late registrations will be accepted. So... no dawdling. No dilly-dallying. No tarrying! If you plan on participating in the Lewis and Clark events, be certain to sign up today!

Click here to register for the Lewis and Clark Marathon and Half Marathon!

"If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good."

--Dr. Seuss

If you haven't signed up for the Lewis and Clark Pasta Dinner, now is the time! (As Dr. Seuss sagely points out, these things are fun, and fun is good.) You and your friends and family are invited to join us on Saturday, September 13th, from 6PM-8PM, for a traditional pasta dinner at the Ameristar Conference Center Grand Ballroom. We are very excited to announce that the 2008 Lewis and Clark guest speaker is John L. Parker, author of the ultimate cult classic novel for runners, Once a Runner. Registration for the pasta dinner is limited to the first 400 people to sign up, and online registration closes at 11:59PM, on Sunday, September 7th. Any remaining tickets for the pasta dinner will be available, while they last, for purchase at the expo.

Click here to register for the pasta dinner!

The traditional carbo-loading dinner will be held on Saturday evening from 6-8PM in the Ameristar Conference Center Grand Ballroom, adjacent to the host hotel. Tickets for the pasta dinner can be purchased online when you register for the race or individually by clicking here. The pasta party is open to race participants and their friends and families.

We are also excited to announce that John L. Parker, Jr., will be our 2008 VIP. His first novel, Once a Runner, is the cult novel for runners. Self-published in the late 1970s and for years sold out of the trunk of the author's car at running events, the novel went on to sell over 100,000 copies and achieve legendary status among runners. (Now out of print, used copies regularly sell on eBay for hundreds of dollars.) Once a Runner perfectly captured the intensity, relentlessness, and sheer lunacy of a serious miler's life. Kenny Moore of Sports Illustrated-- himself an Olympic runner-- called it "by far the best fictional portrayal of the world of a serious runner... a marvelous description of the way it really is."

After writing Once a Runner, John went on to write for Outside, Runner’s World, Running Times, and numerous other publications. He also wrote or co-wrote many other books on running, including Aerobic Chic & Other Delusions, And Then the Vulture Eats You, Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot, Marty Liquori’s Guide for the Elite Runner, Real Running, Runners and Other Dreamers, Runners and Other Ghosts from the Trail, and Uncommon Heart.

For over twenty-five years, however, fans of Once a Runner wanted to learn what became of Quenton Cassidy, the protagonist of the book. In late 2007, John released the sequel, Again to Carthage, which begins in the early 1970s where the previous book left off. Cassidy's return to the world of competitive running is dramatic and revelatory both to Cassidy himself and to the reader, as is his desperate, all-out attempt to make one last Olympic team.

John’s writings range from inspiring to hilarious to useful-– as does his own life story. John was profiled in a recent issue of Runner’s World magazine. (Click here to read the story.) He will sign autographs at Saturday’s expo (10AM-noon and 2PM-4PM) and will speak at the pasta dinner (6PM).

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Apparel Spotlight: Bra Sale!

The bra wall has some new kids on the block (check out the Grace, the Alexis, and the new-and-improved Maia), and that means select styles and colors of some of your favorite Moving Comfort bras have been marked down!* (Think of it as a neighborhood welcome party that saves you money.) Fashion colors of the number-one-selling Fiona bra are now $28 (originally $43.99), while select colors and styles of the Maia are now $29 (originally $43.99). Also, select colors of the Sera bra, the ultimate in luxurious comfort, are just $24 (originally $37.99).

If you are looking for a lightweight bra that provides high-impact support, check out the Melbourne, now $22 (originally $33.99), while the Daylite bra offers seemingly weightless comfort and light support (now $19, originally $29.99).

*The sale applies to in-stock bras only and runs only as long as supplies last, so... well, you know how it goes. (Hurry in!)

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Lewis and Clark Volunteer & Cheer Stations

   It's not too late to volunteer for the Lewis and Clark Marathon and Half Marathon! Whether you are a friend, significant other, or family member of someone participating in the Lewis and Clark Full or Half Marathon, you can have an invaluable role on your runner's big day. From start line to finish line-- and all the miles in between-- there are volunteer positions open and waiting for the dedicated individuals who make race day possible.

   We are still in need of course marshals (to direct runners on the course and assist with holding traffic) for race day. Half marathon and full marathon route positions are available, and volunteers will be placed according to their availability.

   The dedicated efforts of hundreds of volunteers make the Lewis & Clark Marathon and Half Marathon possible. Lewis & Clark volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt and the gratitude of thousands of race participants. If you would like to help in any way, please visit our volunteer sites for more information on available assignments.
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Upcoming Races

Cottleville Fall 5K

The Cottleville Parks and Recreation Board would like to invite you to participate in the 3rd Annual City of Cottleville Fall 5K Run/Walk on October 4th, 2008, at 8:00AM. This year's run will benefit our Veteran's Memorial Fund, which honors all those who have served our county.

The run will start and finish in the parking lot of American TV and Appliance in Cottleville. The course is hilly and a challenge to both runners and walkers. There will be a free fun run for the children and their parents after the 5K. Awards will follow the fun run. Awards will be given to the top Male and Female finishers and top three Male/Female finishers in the following age groups: 15 & under, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 & over.

Registration is now open and is $15 until September 26th. After September 26th the fee will be $20. You can register online or in person at Cottleville City Hall. You can also download an entry form here. Race day registration starts at 7:00AM. Packet pick-up will be October 3rd, from 5-8PM at FLEET FEET Sports in St. Charles, and on race day. All participates will receive a t-Shirt while supplies last. We still have openings for sponsors and volunteers; interested parties should contact Eric Larson at (636)262-9569. Please visit us at our website for more information.

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St. Peters Rec-Plex Fall Triathlon

     The 4th Annual Rec-Plex Fall Triathlon will be held on Sunday, October 5th, 2008. Participation in the Rec-Plex Spring and Fall Triathlons has steadily grown since the inaugural event in 2002. In its first year, athletes participating in a FLEET FEET Sports survey voted the Rec-Plex Triathlon the best triathlon in the St. Louis area. Last year's spring race had nearly 600 competitors!

     The event includes a 500-meter swim in the Rec-Plex's Olympic-quality natatorium, a 21-mile bike ride through the flat farmlands of St. Peters, and a 4.5-mile run on paved trails in the City's shady, scenic parks. There will be 15-second intervals between send-off times for swimmers. Swim times are assigned in the order of registration. Start times will be posted here the week of the race. The first swimmer will start at 7:30AM.

     Age group entry fee is $50 through September 14 and $65 from September 15th–October 4th. Team entry fee is $80 per team through September 14th and $90 from September 15th–October 4th. No registrations will be accepted after October 4th. You can register online, at the Rec-Plex, or by mail. A registration form can be downloaded here. No on-line registrations after October 1st. No telephone registrations, no race day registrations, and no refunds. For more information, visit the race website.

     Overall male and female cash prize awards are as follows: 1st, $150; 2nd, $100; 3rd, $50. Plaques will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in the Team Division. Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers in the following age groups: 19 & Under, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 & older.

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O'Fallon's 6th Annual Fall Fest 5K Fun Run

Join us at O'Fallon's 6th Annual Fall Fest 5K Fun Run on Saturday, October 11th, at 7:30AM. The 5K run/walk for all ages begins in the parking lot at O'Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall). Race participants will follow a clearly-marked route through the neighborhood and return to the start/finish line at City Hall.

Race Day registration will be held from 6:00 to 7:15AM. An awards ceremony will begin at approximately 8:30AM in City Hall. The O'Fallon Fall Festival & Craft Bazaar follows immediately in Civic Park from 9AM to 4PM.

Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female overall finishers, as well as to the top three male and females in the following age groups: 10 & under, 11 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 & over. Awards will also be given to the top three finishers in the following divisions: Baby Stroller, Athena (females who weigh 150 lbs or more) and Clydesdale (males who weigh 205 lbs or more), and the three best fall costumes worn by a participant. To be eligible for the Fall Costume Contest prizes, costumes must be appropriate for a family-friendly event and remain intact throughout the race.

Fall Fest 5K race perks include a race packet with giveaways, digital timing for accuracy, t-shirts for the first 300 entrants (sizes are guaranteed only to those who register by September 5th), discounts for family registration (except on race day), souvenir medallions for all participants who cross the finish line, and complimentary post-race snacks and beverages. Registration fees vary as follows: Early registration (through September 5th) is $15 per person or $13 per family member (with three or more registering at the same time). Late registration (September 6th through October 10th) is $18 per person or $15 per family member (with three or more registering at the same time). Race Day registration is $20 per person; no discounts.

Register online through October 5, or download an entry form here. Visit the race website for comprehensive race information, maps, FAQs, and registration. For additional information, contact O'Fallon's Festival Coordinator, Megan Houlihan, at (636)379-5614.

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Click here for more upcoming races!

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