Keeping you ahead of the pack with Timex TapScreen

The new Timex Sleek 150 with TapScreen technology has released, and we are one of the first places on the planet to have it in stock!

Timex Sleek 150-Lap with TapScreen Technology

It seems that touch screen technology is popping up everywhere these days, and your wrist is next.  Timex’s first introduction of touch, called TapScreen, arrives with the new Sleek 150-lap.  Do you feel like your pace slows a bit while you find the “lap” button on your watch?  The whole face of this watch, which also happens to be Timex’s largest display, is a TapScreen which allows you to easily record your laps without breaking your stride.  The sensitivity of the screen can even be adjusted depending on the ferocity of the user!  Also of note are its bank of interval timers:  use as few as two timers to alternate separate run/walk intervals or use up to 16 separate, labeled, interval timers and design a complete workout.  The Sleek 150 also boasts hydration (DRINK) and nutrition (EAT) reminder alarms that can countdown and repeat concurrently with the chronograph.

Pictured here is the full-size, but it comes in a mid-size, too, for smaller wrists.  ($90)

New Nike+ Sportband

The updated Nike+ Sportband has arrived!

Nike+ First Generation

Last year, Nike introduced the first Sportband to accompany the popular iPod-linked systems, and, although it was an initial success, time proved that the device had some flaws.   The black backgroud and gold digits were difficult to read.  The seal around the face wasn’t effectively “sealed” and moisture eventually wreaked havoc with the display and its ability to download the information it had recorded.  Nike ultimately pulled the product from shelves and participation in its planned 08-08-08 worldwide race was somewhat diminished.

Nike+ SportBand 2009

This summer, the improved Nike+ Sportband finally arrived, and it has some vast improvements.  The face is now a more easily read LCD which is fully sealed, and it comes in two colors (with more expected later).  So far, none of our experience with this new version leads us to believe that the bugs from the first generation will occur with the second (but is it too early to tell?).  Rumor has it that Nike will eventually add a heart-rate monitoring version of the SportBand system since their previous speed/distance/HR systems are no longer in production.

At $60, it is a much more affordable means to track your speed and distance when compared with GPS units which typically run $300-350.  The kit includes a sensor that fits into the midsole of most Nike running shoes or it can be attached to the laces of non-Nike shoes with a small pouch.  With technology similar to that used in a Wii handheld device, the sensor determines your speed and transmits it to the Sportband which is keeping track of your time.  While your running or walking, the user can scroll through the screen and see his/her current pace, total time, total distance, and calories burned.

After the workout, the face of the Sportband pops off of the wristband and plugs into the USB port of your computer allowing you to download your workout to a free Nike Plus account which is accessed through iTunes.  Your NikePlus account can be used to simply keep track of your personal history, or, if you like, you can compete in contests with other Nike+ users around the world.  Another Human Race 10K is scheduled for 10-24-09!

Release of the new Nike+ SportBand has been limited, but we have plenty of them in stock.  Drop by and check ‘em out soon – if you wait until the holidays, they may be difficult to find.

Winner – Best Athletic Shoe Store

We are excited to post that the Commercial Appeal Reader’s Poll, Memphis Most, has named your Fleet Feet Sports “WINNER” in the “Best Athletic Shoe Store” category!

In case you missed it, here’s what CA had to say:

“Fleet Feet Sports is about shoes, but not all about shoes.  It’s a place for the running enthusiast, and you’ll find shoes, yes, but also books and bras, as well as strollers and watches.  It’s part of a franchise, but is locally owned and operated by runners who know what you mean when you holler, “My foot!”  The store also offers Monday night runs through East Memphis TN as well as a Thursday evening speed workout.  Readers said Fleet Feet is the place to run to when you need a good fit.”

A huge “Thank you!” to all of the CA readers who voted for us, we are proud to serve you.

Mizuno Tour Visits Fleet Feet Sports

On Thursday, July 21st, the Mizuno Run with Us campaign arrives again at Fleet Feet Sports here in Sunny Memphis, Tennessee.  The mobile running lab is armed with two “Precision Fit” terminals which provide customers with an in-depth analysis of their foot type and, along with our gait analysis, will provide our staff with additional means of  providing footwear suggestions.  The van arrives prepared with Mizuno footwear to “test ride,” and each participant will receive a Mizuno “Run with Us” running shirt.

A busy grassroots tour across the country affords them only a few hours at our store this time around (from 3 until 6 pm) — be sure to drop by early to get your name on the list!  Last year, the Mizuno tech guys were busy the whole time they were here, and everyone had a great time!

For more information, visit Mizuno Run with Us.

(Stick around Thursday evening for speed work at the track with Ben and the gang.)

Busy Racing Weekend

It’s a busy couple of days  for racing this weekend!  The Hope 5k at Hope Presbyterian Church begins at 8:00 am Saturday morning, followed by the 1st 5k of the Memphis Runners’ Track Club Road Race Series at 7:30 am on Sunday morning in Overton Park.

With this being the first race of the Road Race Series, the registration and packet pickup lines can be long, so participants should plan on getting to Overton Park early.  Parking within the park can be difficult as well, so allow time for that, too.

See you there!

Garmin 310XT Update

310XTs, as of July 1st, were beginning to arrive at Garmin and to turn around and be shipped to retailers who already have them on backorder.  Newly placed orders will probably not arrive to retailers until early in August.

We were lucky to get our hands on an early model and to peruse its features for a few minutes this week.  The band is a more traditional sport watch band, but if you are planning on the 310XT being smaller than the 405 or the 205/305, you will be disappointed.  The screen is large and is easy to read, but the extended battery life (up to 20 hours) translates into a thicker body.  This will probably not be something to wear as a daily watch.

One great feature of the 310XT is the vibrating alarm.  For someone with difficulty hearing the beep of a watch or for those who workout in groups, the device can be set to vibrate rather than beep when laps are recorded or when heart-rate zones are exceeded.  Like a phone set on “vibrate” – but much stronger.

We will update here when more information becomes available or when they arrive.

Special Hours July 3rd and 4th

We will be closing at 5pm on July 3rd to allow our staff ample time to get to get to the Firecracker 5k, and we will be closing at 3pm on Saturday the 4th to spend the Independence Day afternoon with friends and family.  We will be open regular hours (1-5pm) on Sunday, July 5th.  Please remember that we have moved to our new location in the Laurelwood Shopping Center (behind Rafferty’s across from Oak Court Mall).

Please also accept our apologies for any inconvenience that these abbreviated hours may cause.

See you at the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk benefiting St. Jude!

$50 Garmin Rebate

If you would like to take advantage of the $50 Rebate offer on Garmin Forerunner 405s, you must make your purchase by June 30th.  (You have until July 15th to submit your rebate to Garmin.)  All Forerunner 405 models are eligible including the original Black and Green models as well as the new Blue Forerunner 405CX.

If you’ve purchased a 405 from us since May 1st, you can still take advantage of the offer – just drop by the store to pick up a rebate form.

If you’ve thought about taking the plunge on a GPS watch, now is a great time!  We have both the Green 405 Heart-Rate Bundle ($350) and Blue 405CX ($360) Forerunners in stock.

Special Hours for Wedding Bells on Saturday, June 13th

If you have shopped with us within the last year, there is a great chance that you have met Jason and Carolyn.  Who knew that when the two met at Fleet Feet Sports as co-workers a relationship would begin, flourish, and culminate in a wedding celebration?  As one might guess, some of our staff are involved in the wedding as well, and we will be closing early so that we all may attend and share in the festivities.

We will be closing at 4pm on Saturday, June 13th.  Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause.

Garmin 310XT Release Delayed

If you’ve been waiting for the new Garmin Forerunner 310XT, it sounds like you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer.  Originally scheduled for release this week, Garmin has pushed back the date until early August (according to our inside customer service rep).  The heart-rate monitoring version of the 310 was due in August, so we’re not sure if it will be pushed back, too.

Not familiar with the 310?  It’s history begins a few years ago with the Forerunner 201.  The Forerunner was Garmin’s first wrist-worn GPS unit that would track your speed and distance and would allow you to map your routes.  Natural progression led to the Forerunner 301 which also allowed you to track your heart-rate.  Its drawback was that it frequently lost enough GPS signals to be frustratingly inaccurate among tall buildings and trees.  Most thought that was a simple price to pay for not having to drive their routes any more or to not get lost in unfamiliar lands.

Next came the 205 and 305.  They utilized more GPS signals and were much more reliable in tracking their whereabouts, but their new large design left some, especially women, wanting something smaller.

The 405 was Garmin’s answer to a GPS that didn’t look like a TRS-80 on your wrist.  Looking like an over-sized watch, this seemed to settle all issues.  Except one.

Water.

The numerous multisport athletes that were using Forerunners on the bike and on the run couldn’t use them while swimming.  All of the models were stated to be waterproof in shallow water for about 10 minutes.  This translated to:  “If you drop it in the water, get it out QUICK!”

The 310XT is the waterproof answer to the needs of the triathlete.  It is waterproof to 50 meters, and there is no time limit to that.  It is also touted to make the transition from swim to bike to run and to calculate transition times during competition.  (Personally, we’re eager to see if it automatically switches from minutes-per-mile to miles-per-hour which was a manual switch on previous models.)  Click here for a video from the Garmin Blog about the 310XT.

If you’d like to be on the call list for its arrival, give us a ring or shoot us an email (ffmemphis@earthlink.net).  Hopefully, we’ll see them soon!