I attended an event last night hosted by a local Atlanta running shoe and accessory store, Big Peach Running Company.  It was a lot of fun and featured the guest speaker, adventure racer Robyn Benincasa.  Big Peach Running Company events are a great way for runners to come together to talk and learn more about running.  What better place to talk running than at a Running Company store?  Big Peach puts on a lot of great events which attract a variety of organizations from Get Fit Atlanta to Trail Blazers Adventure Racing.  If you are a novice runner or fitness guru, there was information available for you.  Not to mention the free food provided by Sweet Tomatos in Kennesaw!  I probably should have just mentioned that at the beginning.

I was a real treat meeting Robyn Benincasa.  Robyn is a EcoChallenge Adventure Race World Champion, Raid Gauloises Adventure Race World Champion, has finished in the top 5 in over 20 Expedition Adventure Races, is a 10 time Ironman finisher, and is a San Deigo firefighter on an all female crew.  Obviously she has pushed herself to the limits both physically and mentally numerous times.  Robyn was able to share with the group in attendance video clips of some of the amazing stories she has had in Adventure Racing.  During her presentation I kept thinking of similar situations I had been in while in the Army in Iraq, Afghanistan, and even Ranger School.  I thought to myself, ‘I had to be in these stressful situations.  Why would anyone volunteer to do such strenuous challenges?”  To push and learn about yourself.  To become mentally stronger.

This is why Robyn does a lot of corporate presentations, to motivate organizations, build leaders, and focus on teams.  Sounds like the Army to me.  Robyn was able to share some amazing stories like the local villager who was recruited to fill a spot on a team and compete in an Adventure Race without ever being in a canoe or even riding a bike!  The team finished in 2nd!  The local villager at the beginning of the race said, “I’m not sure if I can do these things, but I know we can as a team.”  The strength of teamwork is universal.  No matter who you are or where you live in the World, the team is always stronger than the individual.  This is the main difference between pushing yourself to your limits while running versus Adventure Racing.

Another inspirational story and video she shared was when her team, in 1st with a 3 hour lead, reached the final stage of the race and could not find their support team who had their bikes.  They found out that their support team was about day behind them.  Robyn’s team was visibly distraught by this news.  However, one team member didn’t lay down in exhaust and anguish, he set out to solve the problem.  He was able to break the language barrier and arrange to purchase locals’ bikes to finish the race on.  They even incurred other obstacles in the form of penalties from race officials for not using proper bicycles, although the ones there was using were far inferior to the official race bikes, and were able to overcome and finish the race.  This was a true test of mental toughness and determination.

Robyn is sharing that mental toughness and determination she has gained from adventure racing to start Project Athena.  The mission of Project Athena is to help women with breast cancer and other medical or traumatic setbacks live their athletic and adventurous dreams. Awareness for Project Athena is achieved through the ultra endurance endeavors of an experienced and high profile all-female adventure team who embody the spirit of Athena.  It is a non-profit foundation that encourages women to not just survive–but go on to STRIVE after enduring life altering yet life affirming medical conditions.  Robyn Beninecasa and Project Athena aim to keep the dream alive.  Please click here and donate to help keep this dream alive.

In order to keep our dreams alive we all have to work together to accomplish our goals.  Thank you Big Peach Running Company for organizing this great event and bringing a magnificent team of runners and experts together.

What a good reason to get a new pair of running shoes, to run a 5k!  You can save money on both by buying a pair of Nike running shoes (or any other Nike product purchases totaling $75 or more) at the Big Peach Running Company.  Not only will you get to take advantage of their competitive prices on running shoes but you also get a free race entry in the Big Peach 5k Run/Walk.  This is the 4th running of this popular Atlanta road race.  Since Big Peach Running Company takes the time to go through their fit process to find the best running shoe for you, give them the best thank you possible, run your PR at the Big Peach 5k Run/Walk!

The race is on May 2nd at the Big Peach Running Co store in Brookhaven.  Try to take the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA because you won’t be able to park in the Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center on race day, plus you’ll save the environment a bit.  Go environment!  If you must drive (like most Atlantans, don’t worry, MARTA apparently is “too large to fail” and is getting bailed out) you can park at the Brookhaven MARTA station parking lot.  The course rolls through the beautiful Brookhaven neighborhood and has an exciting finish right on Peachtree Road!  Just like the Peachtree Road Race…just half the race distance, about 50,000 less people, and a finish line 2 miles North of the Peachtree Road Race start line.  So it’s pretty much the same thing.  All Big Peach Running Company 5k race participants will get a NIKE Dri Fit technical T-shirt which will have the Big Peach Running Company name on it.  A T-shirt with the word “peach” on it is all the Peachtree Road Race is good for anyways, right?  Need another reason to run this race?  How about the proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society/Team In Training-GA Chapter?  I spoke with a friend this past weekend that is participating in Team In Training and it is a great organization.  Not only is she working to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma but she is getting in better shape than she would have on her own.  Everyone’s a winner!  Well, in this 5k race the top 3 overall male and female finishers along with the top 3 in each age group are the biggest winners.  Big Peach Gift Cards will go to the top 3 overall M/F ($200, $100, $50) along with 1st overall Masters M/F ($100/$100).   Also, age group awards presented to Top 3 M/F in 13 age groups.  If you are more of a team player then compete in the corporate challenge.  No matter what your team’s strengths, you have a chance to win with awards going to the top teams for most participants, fastest team, and best team T-shirt design.  Overall, Big Peach Running Company wants to promote the pedestrian active lifestyle or P.A.L.  So get out their and move your body forward anyway you desire.  Just get moving!  After you’re done moving for 3.1 miles hang out for the post-race party with lots of food, music, and raffles!  Partying is fun.

I don’t want to hear any excuses about why you were not able to register for this race.  You can register online.  You can download and entry form and send it via mail.  Or if you want to get it done quickly and free then go to any Big Peach Running Company store location, buy any Nike shoes, apparel, accessories, or a combination thereof totaling 75 dollars or more and register on the spot (Note:  you can register at a store location without buying Nike apparel).   Registration is $20 from now until April 21st and the NIKE dri fit T-shirts go to the first 1700 runners who register.  After April 21st the registration fee is 25 dollars and registration closes at 5:00 pm on May 1st.

So go ahead and register for this great 5k and while your at it, try out all the running shoes you desire at Big Peach Running Company.  Maybe you’ll find some faster running shoes.

So I’m blogging twice in one day.  I had a busy day yesterday trying new things and I want to tell you about them.  Looks like you win!

Last night I went to an event hosted at Big Peach Running Company and sponsored by New Balance. It was a really fun event with a lot of great giveaways.  They had New Balance towels, playing cards, bottle openers, and scratch off giveaway cards.  I won $5 off my next New Balance purchase.  I’m pretty proud of that.  As well, they offered a 15% discount on any shoes bought in the store that night.  In addition, there was a raffle for a free entry to the ING Georgia Marathon and a free pair of New Balance running shoes!  That’s what this poor economy needs, not big corporate bonuses, more free corporate giveaways to customers!  The event was to celebrate Fat Tuesday, having a King Cake shipped straight from New Orleans, Mardi Gras beads (without having to earn them…other than running), burritos with chips and salsa, and of course Abita beer.  They also had Gatorades and water if you’re into hydrating.  It was a real fun event, a great way to socialize with fellow runners, and recieve some cool, free stuff.  What else would you do on a Tuesday night?  Probably watch American Idol.   Lame.

The best part of this event was being able to try out the brand new New Balance 769s. The New Balance rep, Marcy, had a plethora of shoe sizes and was very knowledgeable about the shoes.  Makes sense, she works for New Balance. After fitting in the perfect pair of running shoes per customers’ requests, all participants went on a 2-6 mile run to try them out.  The shoes were brand new and perfectly white, so sorry brah, no trail running.  I did 4 miles because my training schedule called for it…plus I didn’t want to show off in front of everyone.  Yup.  I’m that awesome.  At any rate, it was great being able to try the New Balance 769s over such a long distance.  I feel like you really need a couple of miles to be able to legitimately determine how a shoe fits to your running style.  The New Balance 769s provide a moderate level of stability which gives a smoother run for those who don’t tend to overpronate.  I liked the transition from heal to toe along with the snug fit in my heal.  There also seemed to be more cushioning in the heal than I am accustomed to.  We all could use a little more cushioning in our heals.  However, the most innovative thing that I saw (there’s probably a lot more innovative things in the guts of the shoe) was the anti-untie shoe laces.  We’ve all had our shoe laces untie at the worst times, like in the middle of a race surrounded by 10,000 people, and this technology answers that need.  The laces had a “bubbling” technique that allows them to hug each other tightly at the knot.  No more triple tying!

This event was a very cool way to learn more about running shoes, socialize with fellow runners, and get your run in.  Did I mention all the free stuff too?  I guess the best things in life are free:  running, socializing, and of course…beer.

I ran 15 miles this past weekend and my knees and shins told me it’s time to get some new running shoes…stat.  I’ve done a lot of research on the Internet and talked to fellow runners but I’m still not “sold” on any particular running shoe.  I figured it was finally time to go to the running shoe and apparel store to decide once and for all.

I went to Big Peach Running Company in Atlanta.  I actually bought my last pair of running shoes here and was really impressed with the experience.  In order to help customers find the perfect running shoe, Big Peach Running Company (BPRC) takes you through a 4 step fit process. First, they ask about you.  Finally…someone wants to hear you talk about you.  The BPRC associate asks you what your intended purposes are for the running shoes.  Do you need them for trail running, 10Ks, triathlons, speed-walking, jazzercise, or just being awesome?  Whatever it is they’ve got you covered; however, they can’t guaranteed the awesomeness of a pair of shoes, that has to come from within the shoe wearer.

They then put some white suction cups on your chest and nipples and make you run on a treadmill for the Video Gait Analysis.  There’s really no suction cups involved but I felt like I needed some since someone was analyzing me run on a treadmill.  Kind of like the Russian guy in Rocky.  While on the treadmill they videotape you running to determine what level of stability you need.  You don’t have to take their word for it though, they play the video back to you, frame-by-frame, in slow motion.  You may be surprised by what you see, but don’t be too concerned; you don’t chose to pronate, God just made you that way and that’s perfectly fine.  Click here to learn more about your pronation problems.  Just know that there are other people out there just like you.  You don’t have to deal with this alone.  Seek help from professionals; like the ones at BPRC.

The technology doesn’t stop there, you then have your foot digitalized.  They analyze this data looking at the width and arch of your feet.  They also ask about any injuries, bunions, or if you wear foot inserts; which I equate to stuffing your bra.  Not that I’ve ever worn a bra…or stuffed one for that matter.

After collecting and analyzing all of this information, the associate determines about four different pairs of running shoes that fit your needs.  Then its time to go old school and simply run in the shoes.  Like a car, they let you take the running shoes out for a test drive.  The shoes you run in aren’t “test pairs” either.  They’re brand new and are the exact pair you will be purchasing.  By running (they let you run up to 2 miles in them!) you will be able to tell the differences between the shoes.  You need to find the perfect running shoe for you.  We all have different running styles and/or shoe colors but one thing is for certain; we’re still the same…just runners.  Let’s hold hands in a circle.

When I went to the Decatur BPRC store I was helped by an associate named Luis.  This guy blew me away with his running shoe knowledge.  I’ve never been a “gear head” but I am very knowledgeable about running equipment; however, Luis told me about things I had never even thought about.  We’ve got to always keep learning.  Even the associates keep learning by testing out new products and shoes themselves.  With all the technology in the foot process analysis I think you have to have an engineering or science degree to sell running shoes there.  The associates at BPRC are experts.  No doubt about it.  Honestly, I haven’t seen service like this since “full service” gas stations went away.  With competitive prices and uber customer service I don’t know how BPRC makes a profit, but that’s for them to worry about and me to take full advantage of.

I ended up trying on about 10 to 12 pairs of running shoes.  I started out with the same version of the Brooks Adrenaline 8 that I currently wear and found no other shoe that compared…expect maybe the Brooks Infiniti 2s. I really want to try a different pair of running shoes than what I have right now but I haven’t found any that I like better.  I’m still holding out for something better to come along but maybe I should just love the one I’m with.  Who knows?

The point is, whether you live in the Atlanta area or not, you need to do your research to find the shoe that fits best.  Make sure you try out different running shoes to compare before making your purchase.  If you are going to a shoe store, then visit a running specific shoe store that offers some of the same features BPRC does.  The expert advice is a service worth paying for…even in this economy.