January 1st, 2009                                                                        Issue 28

Greetings and Happy New Year!
  
    It is amazing that the rush of Christmas and New Year's has already flown by in a festive whirl of ribbons and cookies and family gatherings. We hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday! 
    
    As we usher in the New Year, we inevitably find ourselves making some kind of health resolution-- whether it be to take on a new fitness challenge, to eat a healthier diet, to be more diligent in our training, or even to maintain our current fitness level. And that's a good thing!
  
    At FLEET FEET, we would like to encourage you in your resolutions as you work to achieve your health and wellness goals. In this Flyer, we have included a special section featuring some of the staff's favorite training tips and motivation. What better way to start a new year of training than with a little help from your friends? Also, be certain to check out the upcoming Garmin seminar at FLEET FEET Chesterfield. The first in our new series of informational meetings, the seminar will be packed with useful information to help you get the most out of your Garmin. And if you've got a goal race for 2009 and are looking for some determined, like-minded people with whom you can train, we've got you covered with our Training Teams and Social Runs.
  
    We look forward to doing all we can to help you reach success in your health and fitness goals. Here's to 2009!
  
Sincerely,
Your Friends at FLEET FEET St. Louis

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Sincerely,
Amy Marxkors
Editor

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YearbookA Runner's Yearbook: Training Tips and Motivation from the FLEET FEET Staff
      
    What do you need to jump-start your training in 2009? Training tips? Advice? Motivation? Inspiration? How about a yearbook?
   
    A runner's yearbook, that is.
   
    One of the greatest aspects of the running community is being able to share with other runners the wisdom gained and lessons learned over the miles. We've all felt the joys of success, the discouragement of defeat, and the yo-yo delight and drudgery of daily running. Thus, in the spirit of the new year, we've gathered the FLEET FEET staff and asked them for some of their favorite running hints and tips. The result was a fun collection of wisdom, humor, and motivation. Kinda like a yearbook. Only for runners.
   
    So before you head out the door for your next run, you might want to flip through the pages created by the FLEET FEET Class of 2009. You are certain to find more than a few pieces of training wisdom to ensure your goals are voted most likely to succeed!


AJ Hoetzel:

     "When you are hurting in a race, just think to yourself that the person in front of you is more tired than you are."

AJ
Alex Braden:

"Never, Never, Never Give Up!"

Alex
Amanda Robinson:

     "When running long distance, the key is to be able to talk when you do those long runs and to cross train! Running becomes so much easier!"
     "No one can tell you that you can't do something you love!"
  

Amanda
Amy Marxkors:

     "Run somewhere new. A new trail, a new neighborhood, a new road. Mix it up. Run along the store fronts early in the morning before the shoppers are out. Park at your favorite coffee shop, run from there, and then treat yourself when you get back. St. Louis is brimming with great running routes-- be adventurous!"
   

Amy
Andy Koziatek:

     "Change things up a bit with your training. Experiment by trying new methods and see what works well for you. By incorporating new things into your regimen, you might discover a whole new side to training that may take you to that next level in your running."
     "It is easy to get into a habit of training long and slow, long and slow. Don't be afraid to switch up your paces on training runs. Try a little faster pace now and then, while making sure to keep some easy running days to allow for recovery. By changing up the paces, your body is able to adapt and grow stronger, being able to maintain those faster paces for longer periods over time. Long runs don't always have to be run at a slow, steady pace. To try something simple, try to run the final 15 minutes or 2 miles or your run at a faster pace. By doing this, you work different muscle groups at the end of a long steady run while you are already a little tired and fatigued-- much like towards the end of a race when you aren't feeling as fresh. You might just surprise yourself after awhile at what you can achieve!"
     "Negative split. Often times, many runners like to run out fast and hard in races or training runs, only to suffer the agonizing shuffle to the finish. Try starting out at a slower pace and 'work your way' into the race, and see what happens. Strong runners tend to be able to go out slow and gradually increase their speed, finishing faster than they started and feeling great."
    

Andy
Angela Stewart:

     "Always double-tie your shoe laces!"

Angela
Billy Bell:

     "One of my favorite quotes is 'Run like a clock.' If you get into a routine of running at a certain time, you are less likely to deviate from your training schedule."

Billy
Chris Mizel:

     "Always have a running partner! They will give you extra motivation on those mornings you don't want to get up or those runs you feel like crud."

Chris M.
Chris Burke:

     "Failure is not failure but the opportunity to begin again...more intelligently."

Chris B.
Christine Fisher:

"Run with a friend or group to keep you motivated!" (Check out Fleet Feets social runs every Tues, Thurs, and Sat.)

Christine
David Spetnagel:

"Surround yourself with winners."

David
Debby Spetnagel:

     "Relentless forward motion." 
     "A favorite quote: 'We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements in life, when all we need to make us happy is something to be excited about."
     "Sign up for a challenging race in 2009!"
     "Swing your arms forward and back (like you’re pulling a gun from its holster). Do not swing those arms across your body! You want to go forward, not sideways."

Debby
Eric Krone:

     "It's not about how fast the clock tells you that you are. It's not about how many people you can beat, or how many medals/ribbons/awards you can gather. It's about bettering yourself. It's putting a challenge to yourself, to make you better. The hardest part about it is getting your foot out the door (or onto the treadmill, as it may be)."
     "Stop making excuses. I never met a raindrop that carried a virus. It's what you do after you get out of the rain that can make you sick."
   

Eric
Erin Bryson:

     "First and foremost, always have fun running. To keep running fun, I run with friends and neighbors. I have had great chats and have run farther than I ever thought possible with friends. The time flies and so do the miles."
     "One of my favorite quotes is, 'What would you do if you knew you could not fail?'"
   

Erin
Faith Herrick:

     "Moms, take time for yourself. Running is a good way to relieve stress and clear the mind-- not to mention that it is good for the body! Plus, by taking time to run, you're setting a good example for the kids about overall fitness and self-worth."
  

Faith
Heidi Witzke:

     "I used to get the blues after a big race. Then, I found this great quote from Dr. Seuss (believe it or not): 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.' I used to take for granted what the body and mind are able to accomplish when working in harmony-- what we do is special, and I feel very blessed that I've been where I have through this special sport."
    

Heidi
Jaime Hall:

    "In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." - Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

     "I personally believe that there are many 'tricks of the trade' to make running more comfortable. However, there are 3 essential pieces of equipment for women: shoes, synthetic socks, and a proper fitting sports bra. I would recommend to every woman to come get fitted for a sports bra... it makes quite the difference."
  

Jaime
Jake Goldsborough:

     "Never panic. Whether you somehow goofed up your pacing plan, or you're getting sick, or work has kept you from your long run this week, don't panic. Just do the best with what you are given in each situation. Panicking can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and rash decisions. Running is at its best when you are just calm, confident, and cherishing the moment for what it is."
    "Wear Zensah sleeves for races, workouts, and long runs. They reduce lower leg fatigue. Plus they make you look fast." 
    "Hit the track for some speedwork. I always feel fast on a track, and intervals increase both fitness and confidence."
    "Keep an "emergency run" kit in your trunk. You never know when a great run may present itself, so I always keep a pair of shoes, socks, running clothes, and a towel in my trunk."
   

Jake
Jared Ehlers:

     "Run for something... Do it with passion and pride... Feel empowered."

Jared
Jen Noelken:

    "Start your engines!"

Jen
Jess Brosamer-Senger:

     "Don't overlook the importance of strength training. It can help improve running economy and body composition, and it is a great way to prevent many common overuse injuries. Many runners avoid the weight room, but the time put in is well worth it."
   

Jess
Josh Bond:

     "The worst thing you can do when just starting to run is race every run. Make sure you run at a pace where you can still talk."

Josh
Katie Schoenholz:

     "It's better to be 10% undertrained than 1% overtrained." - Paula Newby Fraser - IM World Champion
     "When in doubt, leave it out." - Mark Allen - IM World Champion
     "You spend the whole day staring straight ahead but you're really looking somehwere deep inside." - Peter Reid - IM World Champion
     "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine
  

Katie
Katrina Wingers:

     "Lunges!"
     "Don't be afraid to jump in the pool and cross-train. Cross-training builds total body strength and keeps your workout routine fresh and exciting."

Katrina
Kristen Murphy:

     "The hardest part of a run is getting out the door. Even if the first steps feel awful, I'm usually in the groove within the first mile. Just get your feet moving and your head will eventually get in the game. If it doesn't and you have a 'bad' run, it still beats sitting on the couch!"
     "I love Will Rogers quotes and I use them to motivate my teams. My favorite: 'We can't all be heroes. Someone has to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.'"
  

Kristen
Luke Hofmann:

     "Have fun. Whether you are racing to win or running to finish, if you don't have fun, you are missing the best part about running."

Luke
Todd Griffen:

     "Make time for a quick run-- even if 15 minutes is all you have. Fifteen minutes of running is better than not running at all!"

Todd
Tracy Schmidt:

     "Running allows you time to talk/listen to your head. Little do you know how much catching up you have to do!"
     "By run/walking, you can increase your endurance."
     "Stretch, stretch, stretch!"

Tracy

   

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Garmin 205, 305, and 405

"How To" Garmin Seminar
 

      Did you open up a shiny new Garmin for Christmas? Have you had your Garmin for a while but still have a sneaky suspicion your favorite GPS has all sorts of cool features just waiting to be discovered? Are you thinking about buying a Garmin but aren't sure which model is right for you?
    
    Join us on January 14th at FLEET FEET Chesterfield for our "How to Use Your Garmin" seminar, the first of our 2009 series of informational seminars. A Garmin guru will lead the clinic, delving into the "techy" features of the Garmin 205, 305, and 405. The Garmin Guru will then open the floor for a questions and answers session, leaving no Garmin stone unturned. (That's what gurus do-ru.) 
 
    The "How to Use Your Garmin" seminar will take place on Wednesday, January 14th, at 7:00PM, at FLEET FEET Chesterfield. The seminar is complimentary and will last approximately 45-60 minutes. Please RSVP to Kristen via email or 636-734-0719.

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Training Team: GO!St. Louis Half Marathon

    It's not too late to sign up for the FLEET FEET Training Team Half Marathon Program! The GO!St. Louis Half Marathon in April is one of the nation's largest half marathons-- and the FLEET FEET Training Team can help you get there.
   
   Providing a fun and motivational training environment, the FLEET FEET Training Team offers the guidance and instruction of coaches as well as the inspiration (and friendships) of fellow runners. Each of our programs is led by experienced and dedicated coaches who are ready to help you reach your personal goals and provide encouragement and support from the first day of class through race day. Training schedules are professionally and specifically designed with the goal distance and pace groups’ abilities in mind. Additional support is provided through weekly training topic discussions, tips from the coaching staff, race-day pacing and support, and a post-race celebration. (Plus, it's just more fun to train with a group!)
 
    Weekly group long runs on Saturday mornings showcase some of St. Louis' best running routes, while optional group runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings coincide with the FLEET FEET Sunset Social runs. (Bonus: We head to a local eatery for food after the runs!) Other perks of the Training Team include running-related seminars-- such as injury prevention, nutrition, and cross training-- and Training Team social events. 
  
    The Half Marathon Program begins Saturday, January 24th. For more information, visit the Training Team website or email Kristen.


 

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Apparel Spotlight: Sugoi Ready Warm-Up Jacket and Pant

     Here is a little apparel quiz. The Sugoi Ready Warm-up Jacket and Pant is the perfect performance apparel set for which of the following men: (a) Bob, a veteran runner who has everything; (b) Joe, a novice who is still working on eliminating from his closet cotton workout clothes; (c) Fred, who likes to be comfortable yet stylish at all times; (d) Reginald. (No one really knows Reginald.)
  
    The answer? All of the above. (Yes! Even Reginald!) Sugoi Warm-Up Jacket
    After bringing in several lifestyle pieces for the ladies, Heidi decided it was time the gentlemen had a few lifestyle pieces of their own. Thus, she turned to Sugoi, a name renowned for its high-performance wear and sleek styling. Made with a uniquely supple, moisture-wicking fabric that is just as comfortable on the couch watching football as it is at the gym, the Sugoi Ready Warm-Up Jacket and Pant boast a distinctive versatility. It is performance meets daily life. (And even Reginald can appreciate that.)
 
  
Sugoi Warm-Up Pant    The Ready Warm-Up Jacket features a minimalist design, highlighting the easy drape of the fabric. A "loose but trim" fit and deep charcoal coloring maintains the sleek style and carries the piece from its pant counterpart to a favorite pair of jeans and back again. The straight leg of the Ready Warm-up Pant compliments the easy feel of the fabric. 
   
    The Sugoi Ready Warm-Up Jacket and Pant are available at FLEET FEET Chesterfield, FLEET FEET St. Charles, and FLEET FEET Fenton. Colors: Black. Price $59.99 (jacket) and $59.99 (pant).

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FLEET FEET Sports' Ultimate Training Journal   

    There is no better time than the New Year for beginning a training log. Logging is not only one of the best ways to stay motivated and keep your training on track, but it also results in a treasure trove of memories and growth as you fill the pages with your personal entries. Plus, it's just plain fun looking back over your training cycles and seeing how far you've come (and how many crazy adventures you've had).
  
    FLEET FEET Sports' Ultimate Training Journal is designed with a clear, week-at-a-glance format that offers double the space of conventional logs, allowing you to track your progress, record your workouts, and organize your training information to maximize the results of your efforts. Specific entry space for time, distance, pace, split times, route, mileage, heart rate, weather, weight, and cross-training keeps your information neatly organized and easily accessible.
 
FLEET FEET Journal Inside    The 52-week, goal-oriented log contains both pre- and post-run note space, prompting you to state your objective for the day and week as well as the results of your workouts. Race records and age and gender grading tables make it easy for you to compare your race times with others-- even if they are in a different age group or gender category.  
  
    The Ultimate Training Journal is available at FLEET FEET Chesterfield, FLEET FEET St. Charles, and FLEET FEET Fenton, and at our online store. Price: $14.99.

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Jake

Thank You from FLEET FEET Race Timing

    FLEET FEET Race Timing would like to thank everyone who participated in our events in 2008. What a great year for running in St. Louis! The new race season will be here before you know it, so be certain to look for our 2009 Race Timing Schedule Preview in an upcoming Flyer. 
 
    We always enjoy seeing you at the many races across the area, and we look forward to timing everyone at our events in 2009.
  
Sincerely,
Jake Goldsborough
Race Timing Manager

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The Lola Papers: Wait For It… Wait For It… 

 
     I have decided plod is a good word for the sport of running. You have to plod away at training and plod away at the miles. I mean, the word plod even sounds slow. Plod just might be the one word with the unique capability of making you feel as though your mouth is full of mud.

     Yes, as much as people talk about the runner’s high or the rush of adrenaline before a race, there is no denying the truth. Running is an exercise in delayed gratification, and its common euphemisms simply belie a hidden identity. Disguised as an aggressive, thrilling sport, running is really a game of waiting. A game of patience. A game of diligence. And, yes, even a game of faith. Mile after mile we run in the firm belief our efforts will be rewarded. Some say there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

     I like to think it’s a PR.

     I am not certain why it took me so long to realize the true nature of running. You see, I am a very impatient person. I am fond of instant gratification. In fact, I am fond of anything of the instant variety. Instant oatmeal. Instant coffee. Instant replay. Instant messaging. Ba da boom. Ba da bing. Done.

     Isn’t that nice?

     Yet, it was as though my delayed discovery only highlighted the irony of my chosen pursuit. Here I am, a lover of instant results, yet I have adopted a passion in which nothing happens quickly. Take the marathon, for instance. On the macro level, you must train day after day for a race that is months away. Moving in closer, you must battle through endless weeks of high mileage, persevering and trusting that you are building an invisible foundation that will carry you on race day. Bringing the lens to an even higher zoom, you start each long run fully aware it will be hours before you can stop running. Even on the day of the race itself, you must toe the start line with a mentality of patience and pacing. When just over twenty-six miles separates you from your destination, you must be patient and maintain a carefully-calculated rhythm if you want to avoid being scraped off the pavement at the twenty-mile marker.

     And I chose this sport because…?

     Mr. Speedy Pants likes to say I am a slow learner. (He also likes to say I am a slow runner, but that’s another story…) His sage instruction often includes a remonstrance against my overly eager disposition.

    “Small steps, kid,” he says, attempting to reign in my sometimes ill-advised fervor. “You don’t want to bite off too much at one time.”

     Trusting his wisdom and experience, I settle for a smaller bite (usually, anyway). And, more often than not, Mr. Speedy Pants is right. One step at a time. One foot in front of the other.

     That’s what running is, after all.

     For all of my grumbling, I need running. I need its quiet, subtle admonishment to be patient and content. In a world that preaches the more quickly you get what you want the happier you’ll be, running stands in bold contrast, gently imparting the wisdom and rewards of perseverance and long-suffering. There is truth to the old cliché that good things come to those who wait. But running takes the adage further, for it demands not a passive complacency, but a proactive waiting, a waiting that requires action, an action that requires faith. We must trust in our training. We must be firmly convicted throughout the runner’s highs and the burned-out lows that every mile, every step, is bringing us closer to our goal. That every step is making us stronger and better and, yes, even faster.

     Thus, before each run, I readjust my way of thinking. I can’t start a twenty-mile long run contemplating the end. Heck, I can’t start a three-mile run contemplating the end. Unlike our society of two-minute TV dinners and spray-on hair, there are no insta-results in the world of running. Running always has operated and always will operate on its own time. It does not discriminate between novice and veteran, for beginners and elites alike must conform to its schedule. You have to put in the miles. You have to put in the time. Then, and only then, will the rewards come.

     And yet, strangely enough, when I finally do clear my head of the world around me, thinking of nothing more than placing one foot in front of the other, hearing nothing more than my own steady breathing, seeing nothing more than my immediate surroundings as the scenery transforms with the miles, I realize that somewhere along the way, without my knowing it, I stopped waiting and started being. And that is the gift of running. It urges us not to look ahead, but to look around. Certainly, there may be many great things in the future, but the present has quite a few treasures of its own. Trading binoculars for a magnifying glass, running readjusts our focus and reveals to us the joys of now.

     Despite my tendency to want immediate results—indeed, perhaps because of it—I cherish the lessons running has taught me. Patience. Diligence. Perseverance. Faith. Yes, I admit there are times my impatience gets the better of me, and I find myself longing for an instant reward, for something for which I don’t have to wait.

     But then I just grab a packet of mac and cheese, and I’m fine.


As Always, Run,

Lola