Blog | Complete Runner

Do Your Feet Feel Uncomfortable When Running?

May 4, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

hurting feet

Are your aching feet causing you to limit the mileage you run, or the effort you put into your training, due to pain and discomfort? Sheryl can’t make it past the five mile mark without the ball of her foot burning, limiting her mileage and goals. Are you frustrated like Sheryl because your feet seem to be holding you back?

If the ball of your foot is hurting during a run it is most likely due to your socks or shoes. When wet, cotton socks will feel like sandpaper rubbing back and forth against your shoes, and if your shoe isn’t fitting properly it could be causing your foot to move around more than it should.

You can read Curtis’ full response to Sheryl’s question at the Ask the Expert column on I Run Flint.

If your feet are giving you trouble when running, be sure to stop in to Complete Runner with your current shoes and we’ll be glad to take a look at them and determine the best pair of shoes for your feet with an expert gait analysis.

Image by Michael Pollak

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: hurting feet

Race Day Nutrition Tips

April 30, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Energy Bars

Are you the person who is eating a Pop Tart on your way to a local race, or the guy who pulls out a Snickers bar for some quick energy right before the event?

Did you know that, all things being equal, proper nutrition can help you improve your performance and become a better athlete? Your body will thank and reward you for following some basic guidelines for race day nutrition.

The base to your nutrition should be some good organic vitamins. We suggest vitamins that have the extra supplements needed for your active lifestyle other than the typical one-a-day vitamins. We discuss more on this topic in the Vitamins for Runners article.

Now that we got your base nutrition out of the way let’s walk through a typical race day and what your nutrition should look like.

Race Morning

You wake up at 6:15 am to get ready and head off to your 8:00 am race. You usually eat breakfast in the morning but don’t want to upset your stomach before the race, so the best thing to do is grab an all natural energy bar. Using an energy bar as a meal replacement before your race is good because it will load you up with the nutrients you need for the race, and being natural will help your body digest it easily.

Pre-Race and During the Race

About 20 minutes before the race, as well as during the race if you are running or walking a longer distance, is a good time to give your body energy that it can use up fast. Gels, sport beans, chews, blocks, and other energy boosters are what you want to use to give you this quick energy, not a Snickers bar. During this time you will also want to replace the electrolytes that you are losing via a sports drink or water. If you drink water, make sure all the minerals aren’t filtered out or else the water won’t do you much good other than wetting your palate. If you are feeling creative, you can even mix your electrolytes with energy supplements to cover all your bases.

After the Race

Once your race is over, you want to continue to replenish your electrolytes as well as have a protein recovery bar. This is different than the bar you ate for breakfast because this one is loaded with protein to repair your muscles and aid in their recovery.

These are some basic guidelines to follow to set you on the path of good nutrition.

You can and should use a similar form of this plan during your training. It is a good idea to start testing your nutrition during your training so you can refine it over time to meet your body’s needs. Just make sure not so show up on race day with all your gels and chews without testing them first, because you won’t know how often or how much your body will require of them until you test them out in your training.

Complete Runners is your one-stop shop for all your nutritional needs, so stop by and see our wide variety of supplements to get you through each stage of your training and race.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: nutrition

Vitamins for Runners

April 30, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

organic life vitamins

Many of you probably take vitamins every day. It may be a habit, started way back when you were little taking Flintstones or gummy vitamins, or maybe you pop a few when you aren’t feeling well. However, if you are a serious runner, walker, or biker your one-a-day vitamins may not be enough for your active lifestyle.

There is such a thing as an athlete’s version of a multi-vitamin. As an athlete your body demands more vitamin and mineral replacement because you are burning them at a higher rate, in particular, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.

Organic Life Vitamins from Natural Vitality are a great supplement to meet most of the daily nutritional needs of serious athletes. Even top Olympic athletes use Natural Vitality supplements. This whole-food-based blend of essential vitamins, minerals, veggies, super fruits, and berries will give your body the nutrition it needs every day to improve your overall health, giving serious athletes more of the proper nutrition their bodies require.

If you currently take a “regular” multi-vitamin or are thinking you should start, run on in to Complete Runner and we’ll help you pick out the right dietary supplements to optimize your performance and obtain your goals. We strive to provide the best nutritional products and information for our customers.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: Natural Vitality, nutrition, vitamins

Thanks for a Great Run for Roots

April 21, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Run for Roots 2012

We would like to thank the runners and walkers who participated in the comeback of the Run for Roots 4 Mile Run and Walk on Saturday! With the partnership of Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation and Miller Greenhouse, we were pleased to be a part of bringing this event back to Grand Blanc as a way to celebrate Earth Day and local grassroots running. We thought the free plants for all participants and flower pot awards were pretty cool too.

Run for Roots 2012

Race Results | Race Pictures

What’s Next?

We are super excited about the Run4Wine coming up on October 11. This will be an event like no other, so check out the race website to see the details and save the date!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: run for roots

Run For Roots Celebrates Earth Day, Local Grassroots Running

April 18, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Run for Roots Grand Blanc Michigan

Earth Day is about celebrating the earth’s beauty and taking a stand against pollution. One of the ways you can celebrate this weekend is by running or walking the Run for Roots 4 mile race 9:00 AM this Saturday at Miller Greenhouse in Grand Blanc. A nice run or walk will help you appreciate the earth’s beauty, and you can carpool to the race with your friends to fight pollution. As a bonus, all participants will also receive a plant from Miller Greenhouse! Sounds good, eh?

After a five year break Complete Runner, along with the partnership of the Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation, is pleased to help bring the Run for Roots back to Miller Greenhouse. Timing and results will be provided by Race Services Company.

Online registration will be ending soon, but you can still register at Complete Runner as well as at Miller Greenhouse the day of the race starting at 7:30 AM. More details can be found on the Run for Roots race website.

We hope to see you on Saturday!

Image by Race Services

Filed Under: News Tagged With: race, run for roots

Get Ready for the 2012 Crim with the CrimFit Adult Training Program

April 10, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Crim Training Program 2012

If you are looking to run or walk the Crim for the first time this August and just want to finish, or you are a more experienced racer and are looking to improve your time this year, the CrimFit Adult Training Program is a great way to accomplish either goal.

The program is revamped this year, with runners and walkers able to select the 10 mile, 8K, or 5K distance they would like to train for, with the runners also able to choose if they just want to finish the race or aim for a more specific time goal. The training groups meet at locations across Genesee County every Tuesday morning or evening for 15 weeks beginning on May 15 and will guide participants through a training program to accomplish their goals come August 25.

Participants in the training program also receive an entry into the Crim Festival of Races, along with two race vouchers to use at participating races leading up to the Crim. For instance, the upcoming Burton Memorial Day Race in May is a Crim voucher race where you can enter at no additional cost. Participants also receive many other cool benefits, including a discount at Complete Runner, good on any shoes and apparel to help you reach your goals!

Curtis is a thirty plus year Crim runner and multiple-time group leader for the Crim Training Program. He is excited to be co-leading a group this year where he will assist runners who are aspiring to finish the Crim 10 mile run in around a 10 minute per mile pace.

Time is running out fast to sign up for the training program as registration closes on April 16. For more information, please inquire at Complete Runner or find more details at www.crim.org.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Crim, training

Running Insoles Made Specifically for Running Shoes Now Available at Complete Runner

March 31, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

footdisc runpro insole

Complete Runner strives to keep current with the latest developments in running shoe technology to offer our customers the best running products on the market. After some research and many phone calls with the inventor we are pleased to now offer the FOOTDISC RUNPRO insole by Currex, an insole made specifically for running shoes!

The insole that typically comes in a running shoe is thin and flimsy. If you have your running shoes nearby take one of the insoles out and you will see what we are talking about. Not much in terms of cushion or support.

There are many insoles you can purchase for your shoes. In fact, we sell some of those here at the store. However, these insoles may offer different types for different uses, such as active living and casual wear but not specifically for running. In comparison, the FOOTDISC RUNPRO insole is the only insole on the market that is specifically designed for running shoes!

The company who designed these running specific insoles was started by a sports scientist and former elite triathlon athlete. Not only are these insoles designed specifically for running shoes, they are designed by runners. The Currex website states:

“We are athletes and scientists and wanted to design an insole that we wear by ourselves. That means: A high-end sports instrument with excellent performance, low weight, outstanding comfort and breathability. We needed the insole so that the typical aches and pains are not turning into severe pain.”

As we mentioned we only sell the most technologically advanced and innovative products at Complete Runner, so it was a no brainer for us to start offering the FOOTDISC RUNPRO insoles as they were voted the Best Running Insole by Running Fitness Magazine.

FOOTDISC RUNPRO insoles take into account the three major foot types including high, medium, and low arch. All you need to do is stand on the FOOTDISC and it will determine your foot type and shoe size within a few seconds. After this we will ask you to stand with your feet together so we check your leg axis for bow-legs, straight legs, or knock-knees. Finally, our expert staff will connect the dots to determine your custom fitted insole!

footdisc thermo scan

We are extremely excited to be able to offer this innovative insole made specifically for running shoes made by and for runners. Local runners are already noticing the big difference FOOTDISC RUNPRO insoles make in their running shoes, and have shared comments such as:

“The insoles add extra comfort and support to your shoe that was lacking by the insoles that my shoes came with.” ~Michelle

“I can’t believe the difference these insoles make. With a RUNPRO insole in one shoe and the regular shoe insole in the other the RUNPRO offers noticeably better support for my feet.” ~Ryan

We invite you to join the satisfied local runners who use FOOTDISC RUNPRO insoles for added comfort, support, and cushion in their running shoes. Stop by Complete Runner and try the difference for yourself.

Filed Under: News, Products Tagged With: footdisc, insoles, shoes

How Long Do Running Shoes Last?

March 31, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

old running shoes

Some people think a good pair of running shoes will last a year or more. For example, let’s imagine the weekend warrior. He or she runs in a handful of races over the summer and doesn’t rack up a lot of miles on their shoes. When next summer arrives, they dig their running shoes out of the closet and since they still look “good” they tie them up and run the race. However, mid-way through the race the racer’s feet start to ache and are extremely uncomfortable. He or she passes it off, using the excuse they ache since they haven’t ran in a few months.

Sure, you will definitely ache after not running for a few months but that doesn’t mean you also don’t need a new pair of running shoes.

Curtis wrote a great article about this on I Run Flint titled When to Replace Running Shoes. Read the article to lean how the midsoles of shoes harden over time by just sitting around or from exposure to water and other elements, and why it is important for the longevity of your running to get new running shoes.

We turn aching feet into happy feet, so stop by Complete Runner today and let our expert staff help you find the right pair of running shoes for your feet!

Filed Under: Products, Tips Tagged With: ask the expert, shoes

Tattoo and Floral Print Running Apparel Popular This Spring

March 25, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Complete Runners strives to offer fashionable yet functional athletic apparel in our store. Gone are the days when you have to sacrifice looking good for comfort and performance, or sacrifice comfort and performance for looking good – you can now have it all!

ymx elemental air mandarian tank

Tattoo and floral print apparel is in hot demand this spring by fashion conscious runners who want to spice things up from the plain technical shirts that are hanging in every runner’s closet. One of the popular apparel brands right now is YMX who offers “multifunctional athletic wear with stunning prints for men and women.” Not only are their designs attractive and unique, their apparel is also lightweight, comfortable and provides the moisture wicking and UV protection that runners require.

ymx elemental henna short sleeve jersey

Stop by Complete Runner to browse our line of YMX and other fashionable yet functional running and walking apparel.

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: Apparel, YMX

Another Great Pot O’ Gold Race

March 18, 2012 By Complete Runner Leave a Comment

Pot O Gold Run 2012

We would like to thank the roughly 600 runners, walkers, and kids who participated in the annual Pot O’ Gold races in downtown Flint this St. Patrick’s Day! The streets were filled with green and we couldn’t ask for the weather to be any better, especially in March! We hope you enjoyed the race and after party as much as we did.

Pot O’ Gold 2012

Race Results | Race Pictures

What’s Next?

The Run For Roots 4 mile run and walk is coming up on April 21 at Miller Greenhouse in Grand Blanc. Find more details and register today on the race website or the flyer.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Pot O' Gold

Do Your Feet Feel Uncomfortable When Running?

Race Day Nutrition Tips

Race Morning

Pre-Race and During the Race

After the Race

Vitamins for Runners

Thanks for a Great Run for Roots

Run for Roots 2012

What’s Next?

Run For Roots Celebrates Earth Day, Local Grassroots Running

Get Ready for the 2012 Crim with the CrimFit Adult Training Program

Running Insoles Made Specifically for Running Shoes Now Available at Complete Runner

How Long Do Running Shoes Last?

Tattoo and Floral Print Running Apparel Popular This Spring

Another Great Pot O’ Gold Race

Location & Hours

Email Newsletter

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