VIBRAM 5 Fingers in ALL SR locations!

July 28, 2010


It’s all the buzz, it’s all the rage, barefoot running is the latest craze. Everyday someone calls or comes in to one of our 3  soundRUNNER locations and questions us about Vibram 5 Fingers, barefoot running and minimalist running shoes.

In our opinion, barefoot running can be a great tool to enhance most everyone’s training regimen, if done correctly. Most of us are used to wearing shoes that offer varying degrees of cushion and support, therefore it’s important to slowly acclimate into barefoot running…there are NO shortcuts.

For the first 1-3 months, we recommend using your Vibrams on soft surfaces for short periods of time, 1-2 times a week, while paying attention to how your body responds. It is normal to notice tender muscles and tendons in your lower legs and feet. Many folks are finding compression sleeves (ZENZAH, CWX, ZOOT, Sugoi) helpful to alleviate calf tightness. As your muscles and tendons strengthen, you’ll find you can wear your Vibrams for longer periods of time. Deciding which Vibram is right for you, depends on your foot and fitness goals. Please see an informed soundRUNNER staff member to guide you towards a minimalist shoe that may work in to your fitness program.


The following was taken directly from their website:

The typical human foot is an anatomical marvel of evolution with 26 bones, 33 joints, 20 muscles, and hundreds of sensory receptors, tendons and ligaments. Like the rest of the body, to keep our feet healthy, they need to be stimulated and exercised.

Many experts believe the shoes we wear not only cast the foot in a protective form, but also weaken our foot and leg muscles, leaving them underdeveloped and more prone to injury. And while there are many occasions where traditional footwear is essential for protection, safety, and security, it is equally important to stimulate and exercise the foot in a more natural state on a regular basis.

Come to soundRUNNER…we can assist you in developing a training program where VIBRAM 5 FINGERS may work!


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Blumenthal visits Main Street

July 16, 2010

Recently, Dick Blumenthal came to Main Street in Branford.        The following is directly from his website, as it relates to small  business: Expanding tax credits for hiring, enlarging small business  administration aid, and direct funding to states and cities for  infrastructure/public works projects and public safety initiatives. As a small business owner, I would like to see more  support for this segment. Don’t get me wrong, I like Mr Blumenthal, he is  everywhere…he even runs the Branford Road Race every year…but I  would like to see more detail on how he is going to move CT up  the ladder as it relates to small business…

FYI!

The information found in the BizJournal is quite interesting. Of course, a lot of this is up to small business to make it work…but in an election year we certainly need to be aware of all the information out there to make sound choices on who gets my/our vote!

By the way, this in no way an endorsement of anyone…I’m still gathering info!! It was also nice that he came to our store…

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SIDEWALK SALE IN MADISON (JULY 29-31)

July 15, 2010




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Running Can Slow the Aging Process

July 12, 2010

More good news about running. This recent bit is brought to you by BBC News:

Running on a regular basis can slow the effects of ageing, a study by US researchers shows.
Elderly joggers were half as likely to die prematurely from conditions like cancer than non-runners. They also enjoyed a healthier life with fewer disabilities, the Stanford University Medical Center team found. Experts said the findings in Archives of Internal Medicine reinforced the importance that older people exercise regularly.

Survival of the fittest

The work tracked 500 older runners for more than 20 years, comparing them to a similar group of non-runners. All were in their 50s at the start of the study. Nineteen years into the study, 34% of the non-runners had died compared to only 15% of the runners. Both groups became more disabled with age, but for the runners the onset of disability started later – an average of 16 years later. The health gap between the runners and non-runners continued to widen even as the subjects entered their ninth decade of life. Running not only appeared to slow the rate of heart and artery related deaths, but was also associated with fewer early deaths from cancer, neurological disease, infections and other causes. And there was no evidence that runners were more likely to suffer osteoarthritis or need total knee replacements than non-runners – something scientists have feared. At the beginning of the study, the runners ran for about four hours a week on average. After 21 years, their weekly running time had reduced to around 76 minutes, but they were still seeing health benefits from taking regular exercise. Lead author Professor James Fries, emeritus professor of medicine at Stanford, said: “The study has a very pro-exercise message. If you had to pick one thing to make people healthier as they age, it would be aerobic exercise. ”The health benefits of exercise are greater than we thought.” Age Concern says many older people do not exercise enough. Figures show more than 90% of people in the UK over 75 fail to meet international guidelines of half-an-hour moderate intensity exercise at least five times a week. Gordon Lishman, director general, said: “This research re-confirms the clear benefits of regular exercise for older people. ”Exercise can help older people to stay mobile and independent, ensure a healthy heart, keep weight and stress levels under control, and promote better sleep. ”While younger people are barraged with encouragement to lead healthier lifestyles, the health needs of older people are often overlooked.”

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Mom and Dad

July 5, 2010

As soundRUNNER begins it’s 2010 season of kid’s running camp we are certain that you will have lots of questions:

When should I trade in my child’s light-up Elmo sneakers for real running shoes? Answer: Once children reach school age (5 or 6) and are doing any kind of structured running, they should be fitted for appropriate running shoes at a specialty running store. Brenda Armstrong, M.D., “Between ages 6 and 12, children’s feet do not grow at the same pace,” says Dr. Armstrong. “One foot is always bigger than the other.” Lack of proper shoe support can lead to shinsplints and ankle problems. Many running-shoe companies make adult-model running shoes in youth sizes. Prices generally range from $40 to $60. For brands and models, go to runnersworld.com/kidshoes or visit soundRUNNER, your local specialty running store, to get your child appropriately fit for a running shoe.

At soundRUNNER, we treat this very seriously. The kids, like the adults that come in to our stores, will have both feet measured, we’ll  observe any issues or anomalies their foot/feet may have, discuss their training and what they would like to accomplish, then evaluate which category of shoe they should be in: neutral, stability or motion control.

I am clear with the parent and the child…for the child to be successful and to help them stay uninjured you need to have good equipment. For all intents and purposes a good pair of running shoes that fit well will go a long way to keep a child healthy and active.


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