Atlanta Trip pt. 3 Fleet Feet Lawrenceville, GA

Another stop on the tour was Joe Braley's other store in Lawrenceville to get in on a Tuesday evening run group.  Although the turnout was a little small this particular evening we had a great time with an awesome bunch of runners.

Getting geared up for the fun run.

Again, Joe has some great ideas when it comes to "shoe walls".  This is rebar anchored to two columns, fed through the holes in the brick.  The bricks can then be shifted around to change the look.  Pretty cool.

FF Lawrenceville is in a great old building in downtown.

Dogs always welcome at the fun run!

Atlanta Trip pt. 2 Johns Creek, GA

The second stop on the trip was to Fleet Feet Johns Creek just outside of Atlanta.  Joe Braley (owner) brings a very creative element to the style of his store here.

Cool shoe display.

Loved this!  Wall-sized chalk board for events, etc.

nutrition and accessories.

"Chandelier" over the shoe display.

Kristen and Jason working w/ a customer.

Pepsi-cola boxes.

Atlanta Trip pt. 1 Athen, GA

Athens, GA

My first stop on this trip was Athens, Georgia to see a Dustin Shinholser who is the owner of a brand new Fleet Feet Sports coming in the next couple of months.

I had never been to Athens and the only thing I knew about the place was that R.E.M. came out of Athens.

What a cool city!  And Dustin's store is right in the middle of the action - Earth Fare market across the street, coffee house 2 doors down, German bakery, bike shop on the corner and the university is a half mile away.  It's perfect!

Dustin having a chat out on the front porch with the mail man.

Showing us around the place.  It's an old house that used to be a hair salon.  Of course, he's keeping the chandelier for his office.

Flying Pig Pt. 3: Farewell Cincinnati, Devou Park

 The last day in Cincinnati I managed to find some trails.  I didn't actually make it to the marathon.  It started at 6:30a and I was exhausted from working the expo, so I slept in.  I found Devou Park in Covington which everyone said had an amazing view of the city and bridges.   It was pretty rainy, but what a great time!

Devou Park trail.

Devou Park trail.

Flying Pig Marathon Pt. 1: On the road to Cincinnati, OH.

I left Charlotte on Thursday, May 2nd in my compact Ford Fiesta bound for Cincinnati, OH.  The only other time I was in Cincinnati was spending time in the airport for a layover.  During that visit I met a gambler from North Carolina who was returning from Las Vegas with $10K in his pocket.

FIESTA!!!

Tunnel vision.  Asheville, NC

Not sure where I was.  Just stopping for gas.  Ironic that this place was right next to the gas station.

The cleanest rest stop bathroom I've ever seen.  TN.

Put my trail shoes on and took a run around the rest stop.  People looked at me like I was crazy.

Mount Pleasant - Grand Opening!

The last several days I've been tagging along with TGA rep Dan Matena.  Dan also reps for NUUN, Body Glide, Fuel Belt, Gore, and a few others.  We stopped by the brand new Mount Pleasant, SC grand opening and "Run For Boston".

What a great staff and growing customer base!  They folks were dedicated and the customers really enjoyed having another great specialty running option in Mount Pleasant/Charleston area.

Owner Chris Minkel explaining the benefits of proper shoe fit.

L. to R. Shelley, Jason and TGA rep Dan Matena

Balega Hoppity Hop Balls and a kegerator filled w/ Holy City (the keg doesn't stay in the store).  Let the festivities begin!

The crew.

I guess Jason digs Hidden Comfort.  Nice!

Busy.

The stage is set. 

Rachel (customer) excited about something...winning Balegas maybe?

So Rachel here, couldn't get enough of Dan's Aussie accent.  She had seen a website where certain words were listed in certain orders to teach a person to take on an Australian accent.  Here phrase?: Razor blades.  So in order to say razor blades like an Aussie you say, "Rise-Up-Lights".  She kept saying "razor blades" to Dan all night!  Hilarious!

out with customers.  Great bunch.

the intercoastal.

On our way home.  The Cooper River Bridge.