My 10 Reasons That You Need To Shop at your Local Running Stores

With all my posts about running shoes and clothes, I realized that I have never mentioned where you could find these items. Check your local running store! Many people will tell you: "local running shops have higher prices than the big box stores, why waste your time?" or "People at the big box stores know just as much as the other people, why go there?" Well I am here to tell you otherwise. Here are my 10 reasons you need to shop at your local running shops.

1. The prices are no different than at the big-box sports store. Shops have to set their products at a price set by the company. Many times as well, the stores will price match. Here's the thing though. Many times, you may find a shoe that you are interested in, (lets say the Nike Pegasus), and you go to your local shop and their Nike Pegasus 31s are priced at $100, and when you check the big-box retailer, they have a Nike Pegasus for only $70! What? How can this be!? Check the model number. Just because it is the same type of shoe, it may not be the same model, and when the shoe is old, stores will mark them down. If you are looking to cut corners, ask your sales associate if there are any older, discounted models that match your gait style.
2. Local shops train their employees to know their stuff. Sales associates at a running specialty store are trained to understand your individual walking and running gait, and they take that knowledge to pair your feet up with the best shoes for you. They get to know the shoes they sell and will tell you everything that you want to know about your shoes. They will tell you what each shoe feels like, how it fits, and what the benefits of each shoe are.
3. You can be guaranteed that the shoes that your local shop sells are of the highest quality. Now I am not saying that Dicks or other box stores do not sell high quality shoes, they do, however they also have the lowest quality of shoes. These shoes are cheaper, however the price reflects how much technology and research has been put into the shoe to make it as good as it is. So that $50 "fitness" shoe you bought for running is going to work like a $50 "fitness" shoe compared to the $100 running shoe, which is going to have more technology put into it, making it better. (There is a secret as well about those cheaper, lower end shoes, but I will discuss this later). Your running specialty store will only sell shoes that they believe are the best out there. They are not going to sell you a low quality shoe.
4. How much money has the big box store or the website you order shoes from donated back to local races? Every time you run a local race, how many times have you seen your local store as a sponsor? For most of us, we have not ran a race without the sponsorship from a running specialty store. That sponsorship means that the store has donated something, whether it be free shoes, gift cards, apparel, that store has donated a piece of their store, free of charge, to help with a race. In some cases, the store will volunteer their time and energy to the race as well. There have been many times when I have been asked to volunteer at a race's water stop, finish line, or street crossing. 
5. You have injuries? We have them too. Yes, it is a good idea to see a professional, like a doctor, however, it is always nice to talk to other runners and see what they would like to recommend, and see what worked for them in the past. You can bet that within the staff at a running specialty store that someone has had the same or a similar problem that you are dealing with. 
6. This goes again with the prices, but if you are still concerned about dropping over $100 on a pair of shoes, talk to the sales associate. Many times, a specialty retailer will over a discount for many different things. You have a membership to a local gym? Are you a student? Are you a veteran? Do you work in the health care system? Many times, these are things that may get you a discount. 
7. Need advice about local races, or even national races? 9 out of 10 times, an employee at a running specialty store has either run the local or national race or knows someone who does. We love to offer our advice and opinions about each race and recommend different ones for you to look into. Going along with races, we can help you with training plans. If you have a question pertaining to how you should train or the best ways to train or where you could find a training calendar, we can help you. 
8. Want to join a running group or need people to run with? Again, we are a place to go. Many different specialty stores across the nation either have nights where they offer a free running event where anyone can show up, or they know of different groups that offer free group runs. 
9. When we tell you what shoes would work best for you, many times, the local store will have a treadmill or a place where you can test running in different shoes to see what feels best when you're running. Do your big-box stores have this offer for you? Even running for 3 minutes can tell you more about a shoe than just walking in it.
10. The last reason you should shop at your local running store versus the big box store is because again, these people are there to help you with running. Whether that be shoes, socks, clothes, or whatever your needs may be, we are there to answer your questions with as much information we can give. We are trained and knowledgeable about each and every product we sell and want to give you the best solution. We want to do this. We are here to do this. We want to share our information with you and make you the happiest you can be, especially when you're running. We share your passion and we have the tools to fill your needs. So come, see us, say hi, see what we can do for you!

My Running Specialty store. I wouldn't trade my job for anything. Absolute fun.