My first experience with Fit Niche, our local running speacialty store, was last Christmas. I’d been having some ankle pain with every run and didn’t have a clue what to do about it. A friend, actually I think it was Catherine, said “Go to Fit Niche in The Shops at Wiregrass. They’ve replaced my shoes like 10 times trying to help me find a pair that works for me.” She continued to explain how they have a treadmill that takes video analysis of your stride as you run on it. Then, they analyze how your foot lands with each step and make shoe recommendations based on this. In theory running in a shoe with the proper support alleviates the pain. I was skeptical at first. I’ve been an Asics girls for 10 years and certainly they weren’t failing me now.
So being the Mom of a 5 and 3-year-old I knew that I couldn’t go with them in tow. I had visions of them trying to hop on the treadmill with me and this was serious stuff, I needed to focus. So, I decided to wait for my other half, aka Steve, to get home before heading over, which means I got there late. So at 8:55 pm, the store closed at 9pm, I came bouncing through the door. I tried to explain that I knew they closed in 5 mins, but could they please help me. They recognized that I was talking fast and trying to move quickly through the process, the guilt of walking in at closing time. So the Sales Associate, Matt said “Slow down. It’s fine. We’re not going anywhere.” Whew, no more guilt! So they checked out my stride and pronation on the treadmill. For those new to running, pronation as defined in Runner’s World, my new BFF is:
“When you run or walk, you land on the outside edge of your foot and roll inward. This entirely normal inward rolling is called pronation. For most runners, the pronation stops at a healthy point. However, some runners roll inward too much. This excessive inward rolling is called overpronation. Runners who overpronate should wear motion-control shoes, which contain special foams and devices that are designed to limit overpronation.
So I was told I have neutral pronation with a slightly high arch. Good to know. The best news was I could still run in my beloved Asics, I just needed to switch models. So goodbye Asics 2160′s and hello Asics Nimbus. I was a little skeptical at first, but I quickly said “Sayonara” to the ankle pain and haven’t looked back.
So you are probably asking yourselves what in the world this has to do with anything. Well, Catherine and I have noticed that Fit Niche supports a lot of local races. Most recently they helped out our friend with the Tampa Fire Department, Jace Kohen. They held the Tampa Firefighter’s Pediatric Burn Unit 5k. Fit Niche hosted their packet pick up and as a participant of the race I took note at how smooth it was. We were hoping they would want to partner with us as well. With a quick phone call I had an appointment with Milton from Fit Niche for the next day.
I walked in hoping to have a partner for packet pick up and what I walked out with was incredible! Loads of joint marketing opportunities, sound system for race day, starter pistol, coolers, bibs possibly and loads of race day give aways! Aside from their assistance, Milton was also so knowledgeable. Apparently he has done a race or two and helped guide me in the right direction. Even led me too some fabulous You Tube videos to help with these knee issue I’ve been having. Fingers crossed it helps!
The thing that I got most from this meeting is that these guys are in this business with a pure love for running. They way I was treated my first experience last December and today. So thank you Fit Niche!!!
So be on the look out for some cool things we are doing together. First up on the calendar, a training session to help get folks started on the right foot followed by a group run! Date to follow very soon!
Dream Big!
Mandy
