Latest News
Spotlight on an Injury: Hallux Valgus (The Bunion!)
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Pain Does NOT Need to Be a Part of Your Fitness Routine
What Causes It? Excessive pronation (the arch elongating when one is standing) and narrow footwear (greater incidence among women than men). Hereditary factors are listed in some literature. Symptoms: Bunions may cause irritation of the skin around the bunion, pain when walking, joint redness and pain, and possible shift of the big toe toward the other toes. If not addressed, bunions will continue to grow and have negative impact on one's gait (walking/running pattern). Note: When bunion deformity becomes severe enough, the foot can hurt in different places even without the constriction of shoes because it then becomes a mechanical function problem of the forefoot. Solutions:
Tools:
Got a nagging injury? Next FREE Injury Screening: This Thursday, Feb 23, 5 - 7PM Call (920) 830-7867 to schedule a 15-minute assessment. |
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Happy New Year from Fleet Feet Sports Fox Valley!
New customers are often surprised by the time and care we take to making sure their needs are met. If you've experienced our store firsthand, you're likely familiar with our goal to educate, empower, and motivate every customer by providing consistent information, engaging programs, and effective tools.
You may not know what drives us, as business owners, every day. Jeremy recently reminded me that our decision to finally 'take the plunge' came shortly after a family member's health scare. We spent most of our professional careers in the not-for-profit arena trying to make an impact on others' quality of life. So the desire marry a) our passion for running & fitness with b) the ability to truly have a direct impact on individuals' health finally tipped the scale.
Supporting each and everyone's fitness goals is no small feat. And we pride ourselves on NOT providing your typical shopping experience. We take the time in getting to know you; your feet, your gait, your fitness goals.
The result: You have the tools and equipment that fit, are right for you, and hopefully the knowledge that we are genuinely interested in more than just a sale--we want to support YOUR goals; whether finishing your first race or post-injury comfort & mobility is the #1 priority.
It takes time to find out your particular needs and match you to the right footwear, apparel, and accessories. But this approach sets you up for succes. We wouldn't have it any other way.
We wish you a happy, healthy, active 2012!
12 DAYS of Fleet Feet Deals, Events and Giving
- Tuesday, December 13 – Holiday Food Drive – Bring in 3 canned good items, get 10% OFF anything in the store. Our Goal – 50 lbs of food in one day! *electronics and gift cards not included*
- Wednesday, December 14 – Instant Satisfaction - Spend $150 (pre-tax) get an instant $15 to spend on the spot
- Thursday, December 15 – Staying Grounded during the Holidays - 10% OFF YakTraxx and Due North traction accessories
- Friday, December 16 – Be Seen, Be Safe - All reflective accessories 10% OFF (plus free flashing light w/purchase)
- Saturday, December 17 – Give the Gift of FIT - Purchase a $25 training program voucher for only $15 dollars. Good for any program in 2012 (check website for training program options)
- Sunday, December 18 – Celebrating Success - Take 50% OFF remaining Fox Cities Marathon Finisher apparel
- Monday, December 19 – Stuff It - Fit all the nutrition you can into a Fleet Feet pint glass for $20
- Tuesday, December 20 – Ugly Sweater Fun Run - Giveaways to all those brave enough to "dress" for the occassion
- Wednesday, December 21 – Roll Out the Holiday Stress (and those sore muscles) - FREE Trigger Point and recovery tools session (6:00-6:30pm). Bonus: take 10% OFF Trigger Point products for those in attendance
- Thursday, December 22 – Your New Favorite Stocking- Buy 1 Balega or Drymax sock, get the 2nd half off
- Friday, December 23 – The Big One - Buy a Garmin for them, get a $25 Gift Card for you
- Saturday, December 24 – Running Out of Time Fun Run - Meet us at 7:30 am in Fritse Park for our Saturday Mizuno Fun Run/Walk followed by hot chocolate - wear a Santa Hat or Jingle Bells, be entered into a free shoe raffle
Test NEW MIZUNO Gear @ Saturday Fun Run
MIZUNO TEST RUN @ SATURDAY FUN RUN
7:30 am - Fritse Park, Neenah
The new lightweight neutral Mizuno Wave Rider 15 has arrived and it's GREAT!
Special guest Joey Camp, from Mizuno, will be joining us for our... regular Fun Run/Walk. Join us at Fritse Park (date TBD) for our regular weekly Fun Run/Walk.
**Wear-test the new Wave Rider 15, a lightweight neutral shoe from Mizuno
**Learn more about Mizuno Breath Thermo, a winter-runner's SECRET WEAPON
**Stick around for a warm beverage and snacks post-run
**Grab a stack of winter hear coupons for the store!
2 - 10 mile options available. All levels welcome. Log your miles and earn great technical apparel from Mizuno.
Check our more info about the Rider @ http://ifeinsteinran.com/
Winter Warriors Workouts Start 11/26
If you need a little extra motivation, it’s time to be a Winter Warrior! Don’t lose your fitness progress just because of the cold. Don’t settle for the treadmill. All you need is the right tools, a group to run with, and encouragement! And people to say, ‘nah, you’re not crazy’…
Fleet Feet Fox Valley’s Winter Warriors Program is beginning Saturday, November 26 @ Plamann Park Appleton
- Learn about key equipment for safe winter running
- Hear about our goal race, the Seroogy’s 5K or 15K from Midwest Sports Events.
- Learn how you can be involved in our program beyond the coached training (seminars, fun runs, etc.)
Fleet Feet and Fox 11 Winter Apparel Videos
FOX 11's Emily Deem stopped by Fleet Feet Sports in Appleton to find some helpful tips for cold weather exercise. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/good_day_wi/cold-weather-exercise-gear-just-for-you
Why We Don't Use a Foot Scanner
Written by: Stephanie Blozey, Fleet Feet Sports West Hartford, CT
Many people wonder why we don't use a "foot scanner" that you can step on to determine what shoe or insole is right for you. These computerized scanners, which are being installed in drug stores and superstores, show your foot's pressure points and arch type. It's a fancy way of doing the "Wet Test": wet your feet and stand on a surface, like a brown paper bag, that leaves a visible footprint. The wider the band that connects your heel and ball, the lower the arch you have.
Your arch type effects your biomechanics and is an important component of choosing the right shoe for your foot, but it is only part of the FIT story since at least 20% of people's arches act differently than they "should". Here at Fleet Feet Sports, our FIT Process has three main components that help us define your foot and make the best shoe recommendations for you: foot morphology, biomechanical assessment and "other".
Foot morphology is a fancy way of saying that we analyze your foot size, shape and arch type. This is done by visually looking at the foot statically and dynamically (important since you are in motion when you run!) and taking multiple measurements with an old-fashioned Brannock device. This helps us to choose the right size shoe and shoe brand since each shoe company fits a certain shaped foot better. That is why your friend may swear by his Asics shoes, but they cause you pain.
Next, we examine your biomechanics by determining your arch flexibility and doing a gait analysis (either watching you walk barefoot or with our video gait analysis software). This tells us if you overpronate, supinate or are naturally efficient which in turn, governs what type of shoe (neutral, stability or motion control) you need, as well as the curvature of your shoe's last. Key here is arch flexibility since a rigid arch needs extra cushioning to help attenuate the shock produced when the foot hits the ground at forces of 2-4 times body weight. Whereas, a flexible arch disperses shock better, but all that flexibility in the mid and fore foot can cause overpronation which stresses and torques your feet, shins, knees, hips and back causing its own host of problems.
Finally, we take other special considerations into account like your gender, weight, training surface, weekly mileage, injury status, orthotics and structural deviations in the foot like bunions and extra bones. We put all this data together and bring out 2-3 pairs of shoes that we think will fit you best. Don't be surprised if one of those first shoes feels amazing - it means that we did our job right!
When you think about it, the foot is a marvelous structure. It has 28 bones (including the sesmoids), 33 joints, 112 ligaments, plus tendons, nerves and blood vessels that work in unison to support, balance and propel your body. No two feet are exactly the same nor do they always fit into a specific category. Don't cheat your feet and let a computer scan recommend an orthotic or running shoe for you. An injury is going to cost you a lot more, monetarily and mentally, than a good pair of shoes. Invest in your feet. Let our Fit Professionals teach you about your feet and help you find the perfect fit. We guaranteed it!
Tom Raynor Inducted Into NSGA Hall Of Fame
The CEO of Fleet Feet, Incorporated, Tom Raynor, will be inducted into the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) Hall of Fame at a ceremony tomorrow, during the 47th Annual NSGA Management Conference. The NSGA has honored Sporting Goods leaders since 1956 but this year’s inductees bring the total number of Hall of Famers to only 150.