Thursday, May 21, 2015

Friday Fascinations: 5 Reasons to Shop at a Local Running Store #GetMovinSD

Yes, the Friday Five official prompt for this week is Five Favorite Summer Fruits and Veggies but I couldn't.  At the same time, I still want to link up with the Friday Five gang: MarCourtney and Cynthia AKA the DC Trifecta!


I am also linking up with Nicole at FitFul Focus for Fit&Fashionable Friday!


And finally, I am also linking up with the fabulous Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday!


Okay, let's get right to it!  When Movin Shoes asked me to partner up with them to get the word out about their store, local programs and runs, I had no idea what a huge part of my running world they would become!  So because of my #GetMovinSD mission, I am inspired to bring you 5 reasons you should ALWAYS shop at your local running store rather than a multi state, multi city, mass produced store!

1.  STYLE!
Because I am me and because I firmly believe in the motto, "If you can't be the fastest, be the most stylish," this is my favorite thing about my local running store.  Movin Shoes ALWAYS has the cutest and brightest and latest styles from all my favorites.  For example, this cute outfit modeled by the awesome Jenny from Oiselle!


How cute is that orange Flyte tank you see in the background??  I always wanted to buy Oiselle but I wasn't sure about sizing.  Well, GREAT opportunity to try it out!  And what about these great tanks from Nike?


And they don't just have cute styles for women, they have all the latest gear for men too!  Like this whole outfit from New Balance.


Okay fine one more outfit!  This is New Balance for women.


So, you see why I would go to my local running store and get a HUGE selection of all the cute stuff!  Yes, I own that Runner's Republic tank.  And the Flyte tank in grey.  And I will be going back in for the orange Flyte.  

2.  SHOES!
This one may seem obvious.  But it isn't.  You go to a running shoe store to buy shoes.  But what about the person that sells you the shoes?  The good thing about stores like Movin Shoes is that the people that sell you the shoes also wear the shoes and run in the shoes in the SAME places you wear the shoes and run in the shoes.  They are local runners too!  So when you want to have your husband buy Hokas, you take him to your favorite running store and let the awesome runners there talk him into a pair too.


Or if you tell your favorite shoe guy that you want to hike Potato Chip Rock or run Daley Ranch, he knows what kind of trail shoes to put you in.  He KNOWS that trail!


He tries on the shoe for you, watches you run in them and then makes sure they are perfect!


He knows you love Hokas and are loyal and so tries to find you a pair of trail shoes that work for YOU and for your city and local trails.  (These are the new Challenger trail shoes by the way!)

3.  CHARITY!
When the store is local and they are committed to your community, they are more likely to GIVE to the community too.  When Movin Shoes agreed to partner up with me to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County, I was THRILLED!  They were so generous with their time and money!  Because they care.  They care about their customers, friends and neighbors.


They raffled off items from the store and gift cards.  They arranged everything.  Why?  Because they are local!

4.  RUNNING FRIENDS!
Another reason I love the idea of a local running store is that you can make lots of running friends thru them.  You run as a group every Monday at 6 or Saturday at 8.  It becomes a family and everyone is local.  You get a sense of community pride in developing these relationships and traditions.


I would love to go to more of these but I know every one I HAVE been to has put a huge smile on my face.  This IS San Diego!


5.  WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME!
This is not an anonymous store.  You walk in and they know your favorite designer, your favorite shoe and your upcoming race.  They entertain your kid's 1 million questions about plantar fascitis.


They let your kids play with rollers while you are looking at shoes.


They become your running family!  They help motivate and keep you injury free.  They encourage and support with ideas for races and training.  After all, they are a all local runners too.  They have insight on the best time to head to the Pacific Crest Trail and what shoes to wear.


So there you have it!  5 reasons why your local running store is the place to develop a running relationship and family.  They care about their community.  If you are ever in San Diego, I highly recommend checking out Movin Shoes in Encinitas or Pacific Beach.  You will notice right away what I see when I walk in.  Runners who love running and want you to love running!

This post was sponsored by Movin Shoes but all opinions and words are strictly my own and come from a sincere place!

Do you have a local running store?  What do you love best about it?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

41 comments:

  1. Absolutely love my local running stores. That's right, I have two and they both are equally good at shoe fittings and having a wonderful assortment of clothing and things I just "have to have!"

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    1. It has been tough for me to seperate need and want! Haha

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  2. I used to spend a lot of time (and money) at our local running store, but now that I'm an ambassador for brands they don't carry, I just run their races. I do have a lot of good friends from those days though.

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    1. While I am a Spandits amabassador, I ahve kept my top free from sponsorship so I can go crazy with tanks!

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  3. Great post! A good local running store is really awesome to have. We are lucky to have two really awesome ones where I live. One puts on the best events. Happy holiday weekend!

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  4. I love shopping at local running stores. Even though they are pricier than other places, you really do get what you pay for and have experts there helping you out.

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    1. I don't think they are always more expesnive. At least Movin shoes offers military discounts and they have a PR club for frequent buyers.

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  5. I love my local stores. Fun/pub runs, charity/community support, group runs, classes...and personal attention....just to name a few things. I have also found that, when traveling, local stores are a great place to find running routes and sometimes you can even "crash" a group run.

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  6. love local running stores! even more so for the races they put on!

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  7. Love my local running store. They are great help finding what works best for you. Ours also puts on a LOT of races in the area that are really great as well.

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  8. I LOVE my local Fleet Feet store. It really does feel like such a community and it's nice to go somewhere that people know your name!

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    1. I love that they do that! They even know y kid's names!

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  9. Love my local running store, they know me and exactly what I need :)

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  10. Love this list! I love my local running store, Fleet Feet - they've really developed a community and are a resource, not just a retail store. :)

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    1. Exactly! They become part of your running community!

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  11. Local running stores are great! I like how many offer group runs and they give back to the community!

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  12. Love local running stores. Love shopping local, period! You get incredible service, incredible knowledge, and real relationships. What more do you need? Oh well, I guess all the $$ so you can buy everything! Have a great weekend Smitha!

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    1. Yes please! Buy More Stuff! Have a great weekend too!

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  13. You look so cute in these pictures, Smitha! What a great post; I always try to encourage folks to visit a local running shop to try on shoes. It's a much better experience, I think, especially when you're starting out. I wish one of my local shops carried Oiselle; I need to work on them more - ha! Hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend, girl!

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    1. You are so sweet! I find that asking the smaller stores they are more willing to listen. You never know!

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  14. How fun! There are a bunch of local running stores in NYC that all have running groups and events. This post has me wanting to join one! Thanks for linking up!

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  15. We have a great local running store and I love to go to their events too. They give our running group lots of deals which is always nice!

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  16. This is awesome I also love supporting local. It's nice when everyone knows your name too. lol

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  17. love this! shopping local is so important. we have some great running stores here in dc (pacers and potomac river running) and i love shopping at both for the reasons you mention!

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    1. I was a little nervous you ladies would be mad that I went off topic! :-)

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  18. I would totally shop at my local running store...but does that mean I actually have to start running?? ;)

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  19. I always try to find what I need at a local running store first. The customer service is so much better!

    Thanks for linking up with Fitness Friday. Have a wonderful weekend Smitha!

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  20. Local running stores are the best! They are so darn friendly and interested in your running. I love how they ask you about what races you have and genuinely want you to have a good run in their shoes. The first time I was fitted for shoes, the guy spent a ton of time with me letting me try different shoes and watching me run up and down the aisles. Great post!

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  21. For me, it's all about supporting the local economy and running community. I try to shop at my local store for every time I order something running-related online.

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  22. This kinda makes me want to become a runner and join this lovely community they have carefully built! Sounds so personable and colorful!

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  23. Oh my gosh, Oiselle has some really cute stuff! I have been wanting to add some pieces to my running wardrobe...might have to ask for some for my upcoming bday!

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