What's New?

The Tuesday Performance group side stepped the ice patches and thanks to Max, rallied for a great workout to close out the year. I'm still amazed to see a dozen people out now that we're in the depths of winter. Good times.

Well, it's the shoes that are new. From Asics the Kayano, DS Trainer, Hyperspeed, Trail Attack and Landreth. From Brooks are the new Adrenaline, Glycerin, Infiniti, and Cascadia. Its still early so no bold predictions just yet but the Cascadia seems to fit even better, the Infiniti looks sweet and still rides like a dream, the Glycerin is plusher underfoot and the DS Trainer harkens back to the DS Trainers of old. Track Spikes are also on the shelves. Hard to imagine that Spring sports are that close but before you know it... Cheers-Teague

Partay!

Back to Front, Left to Right: Rob, Dave, Colleen, Teague, Tonya, Kirsten, Jenny, Melanie, Eric, Nancy and Chris.

Last night was the revelry commonly refered to as the FootZone Holiday Party. This year was actually a cocktail party. I was able to fulfill my long held dream of playing bartender and firing up fun drinks. Tami (my wife) made a roasted veggie platter like you've only dreamed of. You know how most work parties are something you don't really want to attend but feel obliged to? This is probably the same, but no one lets on. There was good cheer all around. Everyone came, even Nancy who postponed her family Christmas trip so she could attend (she blamed it on the weather, but we know she just couldn't stand to miss out). All kidding aside, and I think all at the Zone would agree, we're lucky to have such a nice group to share our days with... and its good to raise a glass and celebrate. Cheers-Teague

Holiday Lights Run

It was a cold and windy night... but a hearty group of you still came out to check the xmas lights and drink some cocoa and malted beverages. Thank you to Tracy Miller and Amy Clark for putting this one on. We'll certainly do it again next year.

Functional Fitness

The pre-holiday edition of Kyle's Functional Fitness workout here at the FZ was great. Good group and good challenging workout. We'll take a couple Thursdays off since they fall on the upcoming holidays but we'll be back at it 0n Thursday, Jan.8th. Mark your calendar.

Tuesday Performance Group 12/16/08

Max just sent out an email last night and there will not be a workout tonight. Just a little too cold and icy to get you out there trying to run fast. No use getting anyone injured. Instead, Max will be at the FootZone from 6-7pm tonight to talk training if anyone is interested. It's also Ask the Experts tonight so Chris Vergona will be here in case you're having nagging problems.

Max had a great race in Spokane last weekend at the club xc championships. The results are HERE Look for former Bend High standout and current Nike employee Brett Holts as well.

Cheers-Teague

Jingle Bell Run

Preliminary reports say the Jingle Bell Run raised over $45,000 for the Arthritis Foundation this year. Hard to remember that it was only 10 days ago that we were standing in Columbia Park with everyone in shorts and tee-shirts. I had the pleasure of helping to organize the course this year. Last year there were some issues so it was great to see folks step up to make it better. Good work-Teague

Waking to white

Oh Baby! Nothing like that first snowy run of the season. Grab your Yaktrax and get on out there. Winter brings challenges for runners but it also brings a lot of beauty and what better excuse than a run to get out and check out the winter landscape while others are snoozing. Looks like Bachelor got a good dump. Don't forget the Hot Chocolate Run tomorrow. Enjoy-Teague

Christmas come early at the Zone

About this time of year we're honestly ready for some new shoes. The days are short and getting colder and we practically do back flips when the styles start to change. Nothing wrong with the current shoes but when you deal with them every day, something new to ponder just brings a smile. Today was a bonanza as we got early hits of the new Brooks Cascadia, Defyance and Infiniti. The Cascadia is a staple for us and the new one initially feels like it won't skip a beat. The overall fit may be a bit more secure but even Rob's wide hoofies had no issues. The Defyance is new for us but Brooks has had tremendous luck with this neutral version of the tried and true Adrenaline. The Inifiniti was hands down the new shoe of the year at FootZone in 2008. Thus, this '09 version is laden with expectations. Time will tell but the fit seems consistent and it still has that wonderful forefoot ride that won so many of you over last year. Come in when you can and give us your feedback on these new styles. Cheers-Teague

California International Marathon

5198 people finished the Cal International Marathon over the weekend and six of them were Central Oregonians. Glenn Miller finished in 3:26:20, Annette Muensterman in 3:25:11, Kirsten Holden in 3:12:22, Ryan Altman in 3:03:54, Sean Meissner in 2:39:06 and Jeff Caba in 2:36:25. Quite a showing! Congratulations to all! Complete Results Cheers-Teague

Local Speedsters

Max King prevails once again. This time it was at the Xterra Worlds Trail Half Marathon in Hawaii. Sounds like it was a tough course but he still managed sub 6 minute miles. Link here for Story/Results/Photos

Kami Semick won yesterday at the North Face Challenge 50 miler in San Francisco. In case you forgot, this is the same Kami Semick who took 2nd at the 100k worlds in Italy ONE month ago. Wow, that is some seriously impressive recovery. Here are those Results.

Great work Max and Kami!

Catching up

I took some time with Tami and the kiddos at Thanksgiving to get up to Seattle and visit family. It was a great trip but I did miss "I LIKE PIE II" and as always, coming back to Central Oregon is a treat. Fortunately, the shop has been busy and I've been a poor blogger. All this sunshine and relative warmth seems to have folks continuing to run and thus buying running shoes at a good clip - Thank You for that. As for the past week, Tuesday was the Performance Group (still drawing a great crowd) and Screw Your Shoes. Thanks to Jeff Browning for bringing in the Makita's. More than 20 pairs of shoes came in the door to get winterized. Enough of you showed up, in fact, that I was able to join in the action. Since I'm not the handiest fellow, any chance to raise a power tool is a treat. The picture shows Jeff Caba getting set up and Max King and Jeff sharing some good natured banter about whether YakTrax or Screwing your shoes works best. Of course, it's all idle chat unless the snow flies. The Thursday Strength Workout is going strong and you really should join us. It's that workout I'd never do on my own, feels really worthwhile and I won't miss it if I can help it. Runners need this and for $5, you can't beat it. I hope your enjoying all those still accessible trails. Cheers-Teague

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! People apparently really like Pie. Today was the second Footzone "I like pie run" and it drew quite a crowd. I was expecting about 100 or so as last year we had 60 so I figured we would have more this year. Well I was blown away as over 200 showed up to run and eat some pie. But even with the massive horde of runners the spirit of the event was maintained. I never intended this to be a race or competitive in the slightest so it was nice to see people out having fun and getting some exercise before the big meal. Definitely props to the Foster clan and friends for the spectacular costumes. That is what the I like pie run is all about.

We had over 20 pies entered in the contest with Tracy Miller taking home the prize for here efforts. I think it had something to do with the fact that her pie was still warm when she brought it in. It was great that there were so many homemade yummy pies for us to enjoy and thanks to all who participated.

As an extra bonus we totally filled my Subaru station wagon up with food for the formerly know as COCAN Neighbor Impact. Thank you all for keeping the spirit of the holiday alive while getting some exercise.

Peace out,

dave

One week = Pie

Well we are one week away from the second annual I Like Pie Run. This run started very humbly last year as I was chatting with FZ customer Kory Bright while I helped her with shoes. We thought it would be cool to have a run before the holiday most known for Americans gorging themselves. And just like that the I Like Pie Run was born. I made some simple flyers and to my surprise over 60 people showed up to run and eat a slab of pie.

Now with the big day only a week away here is some info for this years run. The run starts from the FZ at 9am Thanksgiving morning. We are going to run north on the rivertrail off of 1st street. If you want to be entered in a raffle for a cool winter running prize package simply bring a pie. To participate in the run all you need to do is bring a can of food. This run is not a race but you can run as fast or as slow as you want I will have marked the 5 and 10 mile turnaround points. The course is out and back which means you can really turn around whenever you would like. The path is ok for baby joggers. Hopefully this answeres some basic questions but if you come up with some that still need answering give a call to the FZ 317-3568 or email me at superdave@footzonebend.com

Thanks and see you in a week,

dave

Just for fun

We have an abundance of functional shoes at the shop. Functional on all ends of the spectrum. That said, anyone who knows me knows that I like the fun side of running shoes as well. That might be something new and different or just plain cool looking. So, when Nike came out with a 25th anniversary color of the Pegasus, I couldn't resist. It's the same tooling (midsole, outsole) as the current pegasus (which is great, by the way) but with a simple, super comfy upper in a retro gray with the navy swoosh and a pegasus emblem across the heel. It would be a perfectly good running shoe, but I don't see myself using it that way. We only have a few so get 'em while we got 'em. Cheers-Teague

Quite a Week

FZ activities this week include the Performance Running Group at 5:30 on Tuesday (no "ask the experts" with Chris Vergona this week, she's in Australia), Functional Strength Training at the FootZone on Thursday at 6pm. The Taco Stand noon run goes on Wednesday from the FootZone as always and the Women's Running Group will do a loop at Phil's on Sunday at 9am. In other words, a pretty standard week for extra curricular activities at the FootZone.

We're still recovering from last week which was packed full. Tuesday was the PRG led by Max and a Nutrition Clinic with Tim Monaco. Both were great and well attended. Wednesday we hosted a Medical Professional Night where the folks in this community who fix us gathered to learn about shoes and how we do things at the FootZone. It was a full house. Thursday was the first go of Strength Training w/Kyle Will. 8 braved the initial offering but this one will grow quickly. All went away knowing they'd improved themselves (my legs were still sore in some under-utilized places 3 days later). Friday was the Chi-Running clinic with coach Keith. Another big crowd for that one to learn some techniques for running more efficiently. Four nights straight, glad it's not every week but it sure feels active at the FZ.

Functional Strength Workout

Great response for the first strength workout at the FootZone. Kyle really knows his stuff and in an hour we learned a ton. He kept it moving and everyone was feeling it by the end. It's one of those workouts I'd be pressed to do by myself but it was fun in a group, and I can already feel how effective it is at targeting those muscles we obviously don't use enough in our running. Same time next Thursday (6-7pm), then a week off for Thanksgiving and back at it on December 4th. For $5 a workout, this is a screaming deal and money well spent. Join us, you'll be glad you did, and you'll give yourself a great chance to stay injury free this winter. Cheers-Teague

Caba's at Lithia Loop Marathon!

Jeff and Katie Caba took first and second place respectively at the inaugural Lithia Loop Trail Marathon in Ashland last weekend. On a really challenging course with 4700" feet of elevation Jeff ran 2:47:31 and Katie ran 3:09:26! Nice work Caba's! Hard to imagine them running that fast all the time with jobs and raising three young boys. Just makes it all the more impressive. Superstar Sean Meissner had a solid second place showing and Jenn Shelton (formerly of Bend) was third woman. Jenn still owes me a half rack of beer from an election bet we made about six months ago. Jenn, Obama clearly didn't pick Hillary as his running mate. I'm still waiting. Oh well, she knows where to find me. cheers-Teague

Hot Chocolate in November

This morning began for many with the second CORK Hot Chocolate Run of the season. The turnout was huge (70+), the food was great, the heaters were warm, and the Harshburgers even built some cairns to show the way. We're lucky to have great community runs like this. I'm happy that so many are utilizing it. Your next opportunity is December 14th. Cheers-Teague

Kudos to Kami

Bend's own Kami Semick took second place over the weekend at the 100K world championships in Italy. Her time was 7 hours, 33 minutes, and only ten minutes behind the winner from Russia. I hope she's reveling a bit with a few good bottles of wine and loads of pasta before she heads back to the states. Congratulations Kami!

Girls Night Out- Black Pant Event!

Well, Jenny and all the ladies here at the FootZone throw quite a party. This was the third Girls Night Out in the past 14 months and each time they get a little bigger and from the sound of things, ever more fun. You'll notice in the picture that at least one man crashed the party, but at least he was dressed accordingly! There was chocolate, foot massages, goody bags and fun had by all. Thank you to all who helped out and to Jenny for running the show. Cheers-Teague

Running or Beer?

Why not both? The ever diligent bend hash group is still trying to find the perfect balance between running and beer drinking. If you would like to help them in their quest for knowlegde November, 15th is your chance. Meet at Silver Moon Pub at 3:30 pm for some fun. All participants must be 21 or over. Still have qestions go to www.bendhash.com

Have fun

An acre for the Lord

Today on this fine Saturday was the running of the Lord's Acre 5 and 10k. For those of you who have never heard of the Lord's Acre here it is in a nutshell. The Lord's Acre festival is a fundraiser started 62 years ago to help out the church in Powell Butte. The festival has crafts, homemade pie, fresh meats cooked right in the ground, and as a few years ago a 5 and 10 kilometer run.

Perhaps the greatest thing about this run is the prizes. No there are no new cars, finisher medals, or airplane tickets to Aruba. But if you by some miracle win your age group you get a whole pie... a pie. And not a pie bought at Safeway the night before on special but a pie made with love and care and lots of butter and sugar. There has never been a race that has made me wish I was faster like this one. But today like virtually all the rest of my events I came up a hare shy of winning the big one but thankfully I married a speedy woman who can bring the noise when it counts. That's right I just put down two pieces of banana cream pie and it was delicious, because my wife is way better at running than I am.
So for all of you who find yourself with nothing to do next November get up off the couch hop in the car and haul it to Powell Butte and give it up for pie and a good cause.

Peace out,

dave

Best Costume Pics?

Many have now brought to my attention that I failed to post a picture of Maureen (costume contest winner at the FZ Halloween Run). Here are a couple for your enjoyment. Cheers-Teague

Freaky FootZone Halloween Run

The pictures tell the story here. More than 40 turned out to run through town showing off some impressive Halloween garb. The costumes were great but stealing the show and winning the costume contest was Maureen Schlerf and her ample backside. I believe her costume prompted the question I overheard while we ate and drank at Jackson's Corner; "did your butt get really sweaty"? I've done lots of runs and events but I've never heard that one before. Thanks for coming out. Cheers-Teague

Screw Your Shoes and TPG

Well some folks got their shoes screwed at the FootZone this eve. Despite the very warm day some clearly believe we will eventually move into winter and be happier if we have a metal option on the bottom of our shoes. You can do this with traction devices like Yaktrax or Get a Grip, but if you have an older pair of shoes to commit, screwing your shoes is an option. Thanks to Jeff Browning for bringing in the Makita and showing people the way. We'll probably do this one more time in the beginning of December so watch for it if you missed out. We we're doubled up on activities at the FootZone tonight since the Tuesday Performance Group took advantage of the daylight for some relay races at Drake Park. Max utilized the competitive spirit to mix up the speed workout and make it a little more interesting. Great crowd. Despite the coming darkness next week, Tuesday Performance Group will carry on. Join us!

MacDonald Forest 15k and 5k

It was a spectacular October Sunday in Bend, Corvallis and all points in between. Nearly all the FootZoners (seven to be exact) and several other Bendites traveled to MacDonald Forest outside of Corvallis for what's become a ritual on the last Sunday in October. Mac Forest offers up 15 or 5 kilometers (there's a 50k in the spring) of wonderful trails, a really tough climb and some of that lovely west 'o the mountains foliage. There we're many highlights and suberb finishes from the run itself and you can see the strong Central Oregon showing when the results are posted at http://mac.oregontrailseries.org/results.htm Twenty or so of us gathered afterwards at American Dream Pizza for more food than we could eat and some post-run reveling. Think about slapping this one on your calendar for next year- you won't be disappointed. Cheers-Teague

ps. this last picture is especially momentus since it's the first time in three years that Shane (Jenny's husband) has been able to enjoy the post run feast instead of lying in the car. Woohoo!

Economic Crisis and Price Matching??

Ok, its a stretch, but Since our Presidential candidates, Congress, the talking heads, and everyone you meet on the street has weighed in on the financial crisis, I thought it was time to voice my significantly less important opinions.

First of all, Thank you. We open the doors every day, and folks keep walking in and letting us fit them in great shoes. We're lucky, when times get tough, you still need your run or walk. I hear customers talking even more about their workout as daily sanity. However, even the FootZone is seeing that this year is different and folks are understandably watching their pennies a little closer. You all know that FootZone has never been a place to focus on price and that won't change. In retail, you choose your path, and ours will always be the path of relatively well paid employees, health care and exeptional customer service. I've yet to see the example of the retailer that excels at servicing the customer while also being a great discounter. I admire Costco for their low margins and paying their employees but I certainly don't expect help finding something there. I think people get that, and support us not only because we have the right product and service, but because they like us as a business. Anyway (finally getting to the point), I do want to remind people that we match prices. We always have, although we don't make a production of it. If price is a hurdle, but you still WANT to buy their shoes from us, no problem. If it's an online option, we'll ask you to factor in shipping. Otherwise, it just has to be the same product and same size. We don't want you to think of us first because of price. However, we don't want you to feel like you have to shop elsewhere because of price, either. We know we offer a good value at the FootZone and that's where we'll keep putting our energy. Cheers-Teague

Tuesday Performance Group - Hills

Well, Max told us in advance that we were going to do a hill workout and 19 people showed up anyway. He didn't lie as there were hills and it was a workout. This has quickly become something I oddly look forward to every week. As I huffed and puffed on our final steep pitched I couldn't help but notice that everyone was working hard and the smiles (not to mention words) were a little slow to come, but there was a shared sense of satisfaction. The Tuesday Performance Group is only 3 weeks old but it's grown every week and it's a solid and varied group. Join us if you can. Email mking@reboundspl.com to get on the list for the workout and location ahead of time. Cheers-Teague

Three Doses of Dirty -- The Dirty Dozen recap

With fall's chill greeting us and temperatures teasing either side of the 20 degree mark, an abundance of smiles warmed the day for the 121 participants in the Dirty Dozen and Half Dozen Trail Run at Wanoga Snow Park this past Sunday morning. A huge thank you and an awesome job to all that joined in on the fun by either running, volunteering or both! It was great to see folks enjoying themselves and embracing the day! With proceeds of the run benefiting the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, (http://www.cotamtb.org/) Wanoga provided a unique venue, and for the most part, a spot that none of us would normally run. It was impressive to see some the new sections of trail that COTA's volunteers have been constructing while listening to the crunch of frozen dirt beneath our feet as we plodded up the hills and attempted to catch our breath as we loped down the other side! New this year at the run was the 2 person relay which had 6 teams; Aubree Swart and Laura Cooper took first in the relay with overall time of 1:29:31. For the individual races, kudos to Amy Freeman and Michael Dennis for givin' it the juice with times of 41:42 and 35:54 on the Half Dozen. And, ufff duhh! nice work on the Dozen - Lisa Nye with a time of 1:25:15 and Max King keeping everything in perspective and the crowds laughing by tagging up with finish line prior to turning around and busting out a time of 1:12:52. All results can be found here: http://www.time2race.com/Results/Dirty%20Dozen%202008.htm

Thanks again to all that came out and participated and thanks to Super Dave for orchestrating another great trail run!

Keep running,
Rob