ed. note: I am off gettin’ married, celebratin’ and so I hope you enjoy all my awesome guest posts over the next few days. Today you’re hearing from my Chef Kefi on five reasons to love your local running store. Thanks, Chef Kefi!
In the DC area, we’re spoiled by a wide selection of brick-and-mortar stores that sell quality running gear—not to mention the allure of online outlets and discounts. But, no matter how convenient the City Sports location or how good the sneaker sale on Amazon gets, I always find myself back at one of my local running stores (LRS). Here’s why:
#1- Employees who know what they’re talking about. For years I was that person—if a running shoe gets me through a run, who cares what “type” of shoe it is? I bought based on comfort, quality, and color scheme—until, that is, a kind soul at Pacers Ballston convinced me to get up on that in-store treadmill and take a look at my stride and what it might mean for my shoe choice. Sure enough—I had been wearing stability shoes (which help move your weight to the outside of your foot) when my natural stride already had me using the outside of my feet too much. I switched from stability shoes to neutral shoes, and it actually made a difference. One of the best things about LRS for me is the amazing knowledge pretty much every employee seems to have—from sneak type to types of shoe ties, I don’t think I’ve ever had a question somebody at a LRS didn’t have a good answer to.
#2-Easy returns with runners in mind. Still think the $20 you save by buying from an online store is worth skipping a trip to your LRS? It took me several tries (and, admittedly, quite a few bad runs) to find which brand’s neutral shoe was right for me. Pacers let me try, run in, and return two different Saucony neutrals before I found my stride in a Brooks model—try doing that at Kelly’s Running Warehouse, where once you wear ‘em, you own ‘em!
#3- Fun Runs/ Training Groups. Pretty much all LRS host fun runs and training groups, which is a great way to get to know new runners, new routes, and new races. Back when I first decided to be a “real runner,” I signed up for a 10k training group through DC RoadRunners hosted by the Georgetown Running Company (read about our gracious host Courtney’s training group at Potomac River Running Store here). The store let us stow our stuff during long runs, gave us discounts on gear, and hosted injury, form, and nutrition seminars for us before and after runs—basically, they took all the scary stuff out of starting to run. After the training group was over, a lot of us kept up with our mileage by showing up for free running groups hosted at different stores throughout the area—Georgetown Running Company is home to a great Saturday Long Run, Pacers has a 5am run for early birds, and Potomac River Running Downtown is a great place to get going after a long day of work. If you want to run in a pack, there’s a store with a group for you.
#4- New Gear Tryouts. Not only will your local running store get you running in the right shoe and host all kinds group runs—they’ll let you try out your new shoes for free during those fun runs. If you’re into having the latest technology, check out the brand-sponsored fun runs, where a company rep shows up with a bunch of sizes/styles of the season’s new shoes and lets you wear them out on your group run. If you like them, buy them. Don’t like them? Send those stinky sneakers right back with the company rep.
#5- Local Running Stores are big supporters of local running. Hopefully by now I’ve convinced you that supporting your local running store will be a huge benefit to you as a runner. But—maybe more importantly—local running stores are a huge benefit to the sport of running and to your local running community. When I think about my favorite quintessential DC race, it’s GOT to be the GW Parkway Classic, part of a big local race series sponsored by Pacers. During this year’s nasty winter, who kept me up to date on the state of my local running trail? Why, my local running store of course! And who do you think all those super-knowledgeable, always-down-to-talk-racing, have-the-perfect-GU-recommendation employees of local running stores are? Often, they’re local pro and semi-pro runners your local running store employs during off seasons or injuries so they can focus on training even when the prize money isn’t rolling in.
Show your local running store some love! What’s your favorite thing about LRS? Who’s the best where you live?
ChefKefi is an RN by day interested in running and triathlons, community health, food justice, and The New Yorker. A Greek American who grew up in the vinyl booths of a family-owned New Jersey diner, she is obsessed with making gluten-free, refined-sugar-free food YiaYia would be proud of. Check out her recipes at www.cookingupkefi.com or follow her on Twitter @ChefKefiRN
I love our local Road Runner Sports store. They really take the time to get to know you and remember you when you come back in. Our MRTT group has had numerous events there and they have been very generous to us.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Turn a plate of Grilled Veggies into 5 meals
Wow! So much love for Road Runner! I’ve get to Falls Church and check them out!
Chef Kefi recently posted…Green Apple Truffle Slaw
I also like my local Road Runner Sports store. They have an awesome Adventure Run every month that my running group and I always attend. Running for prizes=fun times!
Helly recently posted…Throwback Thursday! {Link up}
If I wasn’t sold before– Adventure Run! That sounds so fun!
Chef Kefi recently posted…Green Apple Truffle Slaw
Another check in the Road Runner Sports column! They are great, and any time I’ve had a question about my gear they’ve bee more than ready to answer it.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Random Thursday Thoughts
Can’t believe I missed these guys and can’t wait to get out there to check ’em out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Chef Kefi recently posted…Green Apple Truffle Slaw
Great guest post, Kefi! I love my LRS – they are personable and knowledgeable. It is also nice supporting small businesses. Since Pacers fitted me with my first pair of shoes I am very loyal to them. However, I will be training with PRR this summer, so there may be a tie by 2015 🙂
Jennifer recently posted…Tasty Thursday – Coconut Peach “Crumble”
Thanks, Jennifer! I think there’s enough love for both Pacers and PRR 🙂 You don’t have to choose.
Chef Kefi recently posted…JetSet Kef’s Five for Friday Summer Edition
I love my local running store. It helps that one of the sales associates is my running coach and a blogger that I follow. =)
I also want to say that I hope you have a blessed wedding weekend. Best of luck to you and the groom on a spectacular celebration. Congrats!
Haley @ running with diapers recently posted…Moving Weekend
Haley– you have the right idea! I would love to have my favorite LRS employee as my coach. Now I’m officially jealous.
Chef Kefi recently posted…JetSet Kef’s Five for Friday Summer Edition
I will be the voice of dissent about RRS. They have a decent selection and awesome return policy and lots of group runs, but I don’t feel like I get as good customer service and help with shoe selection as I do at Pacers — especially the Old Town or Clarendon Pacers stores. 🙂 I agree on all of your reasons and do shop local for my running gear!
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