Xterra Wrap up!

Sunday, September 13th marked the 2nd Trail 1/2 Marathon Championship right here in beautiful Bend. For us at the shop, it was the finale of our Trail 101 running course. For the previous 8 weeks, we had a group of 60+ runners who had been having a blast (most of the time) tackling some of of our favorite trails around Bend. Once again, it has been just plain awesome to see the progression of the runners in our programs. From week 1, when they were thinking the "1st Street Rapids Trail" was tough to week 8 as we tackled some trails near Tumalo Falls.. they had become seasoned trail runners.
I goofed on race day as I thought both races passed Entrada Lodge (aka, the ghost hotel). However, only the 1/2 marathon passed through. I grabbed a few pictures in between losing my voice while cheering on all the runners. All in all, it was a great day and I felt like a proud papa watching all of our runners take on the trails. Congrats to everyone who toed the line and put forth the effort.
After having a few beers with some of our runners at the Xterra party at Bend Brewing Company, I am already excited to offer this program again next Spring!

Summer Running/ Upcoming Xterra, No Boundaries, Turkey Trot

So, we haven’t been great at blogging this summer. Okay, that’s an understatement. Among our long list of excuses: We’ve all been busy running, which is good and we’ve been busy at the shop, which is also good.

So, I (katie bien) am filling in for the competitive runners and am writing a blog from a casual runner’s perspective. I love to run. I really love it. I don’t race very much but running on the trails, taking in the Bend scenery and having complete quiet are my perfect escape (not that I don’t love the cacophony that comes with 3 small children and 2 businesses - I obviously do!)….

Anyhow, to me, there’s nothing like it. This summer has been a great running summer for me because I’ve worked less and spoiled myself with a babysitter one morning a week to go on a long run. My favorite run of choice: hands down, my favorite run in the world, in fact, is the Green Lakes Trail. To me, it is the Disneyland of running. With huge towering forests, waterfalls, log bridges, a long creekside valley and lakes… I think there’s no place like it in the world.

I know. It’s the most popular trail in the high lakes. I get that. I don’t care at all. I kind of like seeing the other people who are so impressive on the trail: little kids going backpacking with packs bigger than themselves, groups working together to make it to the top wearing blue jeans. I like it. I’m impressed with them. And I don’t even turn it into a loop with the Soda Creek trail. In my world, if I can have waterfalls on the way up and down, I’m in. I go by myself, listen to my music and truck slowly like a 1980s Subaru up the hill. The way down is my carrot - I love downhills where you can hop over rocks and let it all out and know that the really hard work is over.

Running Green Lakes is really hard work for me. I have to train in the Spring for it the way other people train to run half marathons. But when summer comes around, I’m always happy I did. I used to run it with Rod, when we were younger, I was faster than I am now and Rod was slower. He’s a little too speedy for me these days as I kind of like to run my own pace, but we sometimes start and finish at the same place and can talk about the pretty wildflowers on the ride home.

So, Green Lakes is kind of a boring trail to recommend since most people have been on it, but the river trail out and back from Aspen to Benham is my other happy place… so what did you expect?

If you want to hear of a new and different trail that you all might love, I do have one to recommend in that arena, the Paulina Creek Trail, another favorite of mine. I ran it two weeks ago with our dog Charlie and the only beings we saw on the trail were a coyote (really close and remarkably unafraid of a ferocious yellow lab) and a few deer. The trail is similar to Green Lakes with a steep uphill and a coast back down. There are a few ways you can do it.

You can start at the Peter Skene Ogden Trailhead but I abbreviated the run quite a bit and was really happy with it. I started at the McKay campground. (You can google directions for McKay Campground and Peter Skene Ogden Trailhead for more official directions.) I took the trail uphill 4-5 miles and then turned around and got some of the best views of waterfalls, went through forest and the burned section on Paulina and got to enjoy some quality time with Charlie and no one else (on a sunny Saturday afternoon, believe it or not). Highly recommended if you are looking for a pretty run that's a bit out of the way.

So, anyhow, at the store, we have a lot going on. We are just finishing up our Trail Running 101 course. It has been a lot of fun. The participants are training for the Xterra Half Marathon and 10k. The Xterra races are September 13th and should be a lot of fun. They start from the Old Mill and follow the river for much of the course. Some people are intimidated by the title Trail Running National Championship and we should emphasize that this is a race for everyone. It is for all levels of runners. It is a national championship and the winner gets some real cash, which is kind of unusual in a trail race, but it is open to everyone and all speeds will be there.

The next thing we have coming up is our next round of No Boundaries, the 5k training program for people who want to walk or run a 5k. I love this program. Since we opened our stores (Patagonia by Pandora’s Backpack 6 years ago and Fleet Feet 17 months ago), I am largely a behind the scenes, reclusive worker: doing the bookkeeping and a little advertising from home.

For No Boundaries, Rod called me out of hiding to administer the program and I was so glad I did. It was so fun to meet everyone doing the program. They started out nervously, some looking for motivation, some to run for the first time, some to get back into running or walking, some, like me, for a way to get into shape with a few kids at home… I watched as the people who kept coming got into better and better shape. They shared their concerns, told us about any aches and pains they had and worked really hard. At the Heaven Can Wait 5k race, I was so proud watching them run in so easily and comfortably. They did a great job and I was glad that Rod brought me in for the program.

The Fall No Boundaries participants will be training with the Girls on the Run Thanksgiving 5k in mind. This will be the inaugural year for the Thanksgiving 5k walk or run and will be a great way to bring the whole family out for a little exercise before the turkey feast begins. Heather Vihstadt, the director of Deschutes County Girls on the Run, has talked Rod into wearing a turkey costume and the kids in the race are going to have the goal of trying to catch the turkey. Ha! Please bring your cameras if you are a spectator at the race. I need to save the photos for this one!

So, that’s what we’ve got on tap for now! I’ll give the other folks at FF a nudge to see if we can get the bloggers back now that the running season is winding down.

How to help the Larsen family

You have all probably heard by now the very sad news about Steve Larsen. We are overwhelmed with sadness. Steve was a good friend and a great guy. He was an amazing athlete and businessman, but most of all it was easy to tell that his pride in life was as a husband and a father to five beautiful kids. The world does not seem right without Steve Larsen.

Since it has happened, all we have been able to think is "how can we help" and we have heard that from some of you as well. So we wanted to let you know how we can all help to support the Larsen family:

Celebrate his Life: Steve's Memorial Service is Saturday, May 23rd at 1 pm at Les Schwab Amphitheater. Many people are planning to meet at Drake park at 12:30 and run or bike to the service.

Contribute to the Steve Larsen Memorial Fund that will go to the Larsen family. This fund is set up at Umpqua Bank. You can drop a check off at any Umpqua bank branch, at Fleet Feet Bend or at Footzone or you can mail a check to:
Steve Larsen Memorial Fund
Umpqua Bank
390 SW Century Drive Suite 100
Bend OR 97702
Hopefully, you will also be able to contribute online in a few days if you check this site: http://www.rememberstevelarsen.com/

Or, if you prefer, Katie Caba is kindly organizing dinners for the family. You can donate money that will be used to purchase gift cards at dinner places for the family. (Also by dropping off a check at Fleet Feet or Footzone.) If you want to donate a home-cooked dinner, contact us and we can put you in touch with the right people.

Finally, next Friday afternoon (May 29th) at 4:30pm there is an exhibition steeplechase, the only non-high school event open to the public, being held at Summit High School as part of the Oregon Elite Championship Meet. They are asking for a $5 minimum donation as a fundraiser for the family of Steve Larsen.

Steve brought so much to our community. We want to rally around the Larsen family so that they know they are not alone.

My time with Steve Larsen

Just sad.  That is the feeling that has been overwhelming me since Tuesday night when I first heard of Steve Larsen's collapse.  

The sadness is in so many areas.  Mostly, of course, for his family.  Then, for the community.  In a town that seems to be overflowing with great athletes, he topped the list.  How cool was it that we got to compete in local races against one of the best in the world?

I met Steve years ago through other local runners.  I was immediately drawn to his presence.  Handsome, fast, extremely personable, he had a magnetic presence.  In time, he became a friend.  I respected his opinions on training, real estate, and life.

When I first thought of opening a Fleet Feet store, he was the first person that I confided in that I was thinking about opening a running store.    When he gave me a whole hearted endorsement, I felt like I could finally really dive into the project.  

As my realtor, he was the total professional.  I remember feeling trepidation in using a friend as a realtor, but as in all things in his life, he was the total professional.  I had more respect for him professionally and as a friend after buying our building than before we started.  

My last contact with Steve was last Thursday.  We got together in the morning at the shop and shared a coffee before I opened the store.  We talked about the normal stuff;  training, upcoming races, some real estate gossip, and family.  And, now he's gone.  Steve was a mentor to me.  And I miss him.

So, as a town, I hope we can celebrate his life.  I won't lie, its hard for me to find positives right now.  It doesn't seem fair.  How can you do ALL the right things and end up having something like this happen?  Steve was the picture of health and fitness.  He was a great family man and a trust worthy businessman.  So, it just doesn't sit well with me.   As time passes, I hope that I can look back and just look fondly that all he accomplished and created; and that is a lot.  Right now my thoughts and prayers are with his family and I look forward to celebrating his life this Saturday.

Lastly, many will be gathering in Drake Park at 12:30 this coming Saturday and running, walking, or cycling to his memorial service which will be right behind the Les Schwab Amphitheater.  I hope to see lots of you there.

Sincerely,

Rod Bien

Lots Going On!

Darla, on her way to the win at Mac Forest 50K!

Man, I sure need to be better about updating this blog!  There is always so much going on that I get overwhelmed on where to begin.

So, I'll start with the Eugene Marathon.  We have just started a "Fleet Feet" racing team.  We sent over three of our athletes to tackle the course.  Laura Kantor ran her first marathon in 4:46. Laura owns a very special place in our heart.  She was one of our fist customers and has lost well over 100 pounds in her journey as a runner.   Another one of our runners, Dave Krayeski, who ran his first marathon in 3:48.   And lastly, our own Chad Baker, who coaches both of those runners, ran the 1/2 marathon in 1:41.  So, a big congratulations to them and everyone who toed the line in Eugene.  I'm hoping to be able to get over there next year!

Secondly, two more Fleet Feet racers went over to run the McDonald Forest 50K this last weekend.  Darla Askew did okay.... NOT!  She won!  She has become one of the quicker runners in the PNW and we are all very excited for her!  Chris Askew, her husband, also ran a great race to finish just seconds behind her!

And, here at the shop, we've been busy with the coming of spring and summer.  Lots of new shoes on the wall which is always fun.

Our training groups have been a blast as well.  Our 1/2 marathon and "No Boundaries" beginner running programs are going great and it has been so exciting for us to see the progress of the runners as each week passes.

Now, let's get out there and run!!

1 Year in the Books

Well, we just had our one year anniversary as a store on April 4th. It's been cool to look back and see how we have grown. I remember our first "group" (I'll use that term loosely) run as it was just Laura Kantor and me out for a run. She still comes to EVERY single workout we provide and is one of our true store representatives.
It's equally fun to look back at the moment as we seem to have really gained some major momentum over the last few months. We've been busy and our programs have just been a ton of fun. In short, I feel very lucky. Lucky that people like to support the store and even more lucky to truly, truly love what I do. It never feels like work and I look forward to heading to work every single day. Sure, we had a lot of challenges to overcome during our first year but it makes it much more satisfying to now look back.
Moving forward, our mission is the same. We want to define what a true walking and running specialty store is supposed to be about. It is all we do and is our one and only focus. We want to help people achieve their goals with fitness. No fluff here. We love to talk biomechanics, shoes, nutrition, and technical clothing. It keeps things simple not to muddy the water for us and our customers know what to expect from us. We may not be who you want to come to for a fashion consult, but you'd be hard pressed to find a group of employees that has more real world experience in the world of road and trail running. It's not a hobby for us, it's a lifestyle.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for supporting and believing in our cause and we will work harder than ever to keep you in the right shoes and on the path toward better fitness.

"No Boundaries" begins!!!

We had a really exciting day last Saturday. It was the kickoff of our first training program, "No Boundaries". After lots of 'stressing out' about the details, the event went seamlessly and we had an absolute blast with our 60+ participants. One of my favorite things about owning a Fleet Feet Store store is getting people excited about running and walking! We had seven very experienced coaches and were inspired by the stories of our participants. From recently battling cancer to struggling to lose weight, to just not knowing where to begin with running, we heard it all. It was inspiring! For our first week, we ran and walked a full mile and everyone came back excited to do it again this weekend. All in all, just a fantastic day. We can't wait to do it again this weekend with our walkers and runners set to tackle 1.5 miles out there!
We feel lucky to have such a fun, outgoing, and excited group to work with! Our end goal is to finish the Heaven Can Wait 5K Walk/Run. What a great event to support and to train for!