California trip Pt. 1 Southern CA

This was a long trip for Balega thus far.  2 weeks total of working and traveling.  I'll break this post up a bit to make it easier to comb through.

I started the trip out in Huntington Beach, CA for the Fleet Feet Conference and ended it two weeks later in Redding, CA.

I used to tour my home state quite a bit, back in the day, when I played music and it had been awhile since I've seen so much of it since those days.  So, after the conference I hit the road going north, stopping in to see the southern CA FF locations then headed up to my hometown in the San Joaquin Valley.

Christiana and Mark at FF Rancho Cucamonga

This little crew was great fun to work with at FF Burbank. l to r: Lyndsey, Maritza & Leo.

Me trying not to get food on my shirt.

Heading up the 99.

Thank you Fleet Feet Sports!

We had a great time at this year's Fleet Feet Conference in Huntington Beach.  For me, being new to Balega, I really enjoyed meeting new folks and catching up with some old friends.  As a vendor partner, Balega wanted to reaffirm our commitment to our relationships with great stores and let the new owners know how we intend to help support your business outside of just dropping socks off at your doorstep.  Thank you for letting us be a part of it all!

rough place to have a work conference

Chris Bevin and Tanya Pictor going over the game plan before the doors open.

Hitting the ground running.

Bert looks serious.  So do all the new COLORS!!!

Andrew letting folks know who's in charge.

I used to play music in a town, in a joint that Frank used to frequent in CA....he also looks just like my old roommate from back in the day!

"South of The Border": Fleet Feet Sports - Columbia, SC.

I took a short trip (1.5 hrs) down from Charlotte, NC to visit the Fleet Feet Sports Columbia, SC.  The state capitol is here and a zoo, neither of which I got to visit.  But I did have a great time hanging out with some really talented and inspiring staff at FF Columbia.

Fleet Feet Sports - Columbia, SC from Ben Hernandez on Vimeo.

A great way to recycle old shoes!

We talked about socks, the Columbia running community, great trail running nearby and they even gave me this great pint glass before I left!

And you know I couldn't leave Columbia w/o finding a cool place for a cup of coffee.  Thank you, Dan Matena, for the suggestion!

Drip in Columbia, SC

It's all single pour, people.  Single pour!!!

On the way to my next destination I got hit with an INSANE rain storm.  Every couple of miles I would pass another car that had slid off the road into either the center median or off to the right in a ditch.  But when it was all over I spotted this oasis in the wilderness:  SOUTH OF THE BORDER!!! Theme Park! Gift Shops!.....BMX Track!!??  Yes.

"You never sausage a place! You're always a weiner at Pedro's!!"  Another sign had a real, wrecked car mounted on it and said, "It's A Hit!"  I couldn't take a picture in time.

Yes, friends.  That is a Space Needle-sized sombrero tower. 

 Adios Carolina del Sur!

Blister Resist Review

Blister Resist Review from Ben Hernandez on Vimeo.

Brand manager Ben Hernandez reviews the new Blister Resist from Balega.

Sections:
0:20 Mid-foot & Arch Support
1:50 Ankle & Heel Support
3:06 Vent Panels & Breathability

The new Blister Resist from Balega is a blend of US-made Drynamix synthetic yarns and South African Mohair. It's a higher volume sock that adds extra cushion under the heel and toe, fitting the foot comfortably without crowding the shoe. Extra elastic through the mid-foot provides superior support for the arch, not constricting the natural movement of the foot. Stretchy, vent panels on top along w/ the fabric blend make this sock one to be worn all year round. And, of course, it features our famous hand-linked, seamless toe; deep heel pocket and comfort ankle band. For more information about Balega and our products check out: www.balega.com

Thanks for watching!

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.