What’s in store for you?
I’ve talked about paying it forward, running with others, and claiming your journey in previous posts. I have alluded to the support around us, but there may be something else that has attributed to your irrefutable success. What is it? It must be the shoes, right? How about the place where you purchase them? This may not be a place where you reside, especially if you purchase shoes online, yet you always feel at home when you’re there.
Would it be offensive to call your favorite running store just a store? Would you agree they aren’t merely stores? I know I’m not alone is this belief. If I am, you wait until you experience a store like I have. I saw a link about nominating your running store as one of the 50 best stores in America on the Competitor website. This distinction is based on factors such as customer service, training programs, etc. Please nominate your running store(s). There is no reason for it to be a secret and it would give someone like me a reason to visit if I’m ever in the area.
When I travel, I like to visit local stores, if it’s for nothing more than to thank them for what they do or to say, “Hello!” Anytime I’m in Memphis, TN I know I’m going by Breakaway Running. Like my store at home, I can always count on them to have a positive vibe. You can never get enough of that.
In many places running stores are the glue that hold our running communities together. If you don’t think so, imagine what it would be like if it was no longer there. Think about the lives it has touched in addition to yours.
To call my favorite running store, Go! Running, just a store would be insulting. It’s a haven for success. Although they’ve only been around for 2 years, they have been there for many of us in ways other than running. Community involvement? Support? Encouragement? Motivation? Inspiration? What can I say; they make you want to Go! Running and keep running!
So, if you are ever in the Little Rock, AR area, drop in. If you’re looking for a group run on Thursday nights with 3, 4, and 6 mile distances, we start from the store at 6pm. You never know what’s in store for you until you GO for it!
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10 Comments
Gina Mae Bell
July 24, 2012Just wanted to nominate THE BEST running store!
Nicholas L. Norfolk
July 24, 2012What would we do without such awesome pillars in our running communities? I’ll check them out when I make it up that way.
Ashleigh
July 24, 2012This is a great post! I too have always loved running stores. Truly all of them are awesome. They provide such a great sense of community and can inspire you to be the best runner you can be. Always puts me in a good mood when I go to one. It’s like they just “get it”. Love being around people like that
Nicholas L. Norfolk
July 24, 2012I couldn’t agree with you more. I guess that’s why I find myself hanging out there at times. I’m trying to soak up as much of that goodness as I can.
Alex (@alexbridgeforth)
July 24, 2012I don’t have a running shoe store near me but i do feel this way about my local bike shop. The guys are awesome and we are always putting on group rides.
Nicholas L. Norfolk
July 24, 2012Good to know you have them there for more than just cycling, right?
Chris Hayes
July 24, 2012My nominee is in. I too find myself being in my favorite running store for WAY longer than I should have been, and I leave empty handed. Go figure. LOL
Nicholas L. Norfolk
July 24, 2012What store is it? I’ll be sure to check it out. The alternative could be you always leave with something and end up with an empty wallet. LOL! I guess running stores for me is like the mall for other people.
Chris Hayes
July 24, 2012Tooooooooo True. Charlotte Running Company in Charlotte, NC.
Travis Owens
July 31, 2012Great post. I had already nominated my favorite before reading this. You are so right about them being more than just a store. More like family, even on a first visit.