The Who's Who of Local Running Stores

By Cheryl McGinnis

Whenever someone asks me what running shoes to buy, I always recommend a store, rather than a brand. You may like (or buy) a top-of-the-line pair of Nikes because all the elite runners you see wear them, because they look really cool, or - like me - just love the "swoosh."  But that doesn't mean they'll work for you.  In fact, the wrong (though expensive) shoes might create (or not correct) a biomechanical imbalance that leads to injury.

A runner has only one essential need: a good shoe with a proper fit.   That's why it's always important to ask, "Who's running this store, anyway?" The Louisville running community is extremely fortunate to have several stores from which to choose when seeking expert guidance.  Runners with impressive credentials run these stores.

FLEET FEET

Jim and Camille Estes, owners of Fleet Feet Running Store, located at 1500 Bardstown Road , have accumulated countless stellar performances and continue to take on new challenges, though now mostly to assist others. Jim Estes was the Triple Crown champion in 1999 and has won the Louisville miniMarathon three times.  He has also posted sub-30-minute 10K race finishes and several Bluegrass 10K victories.

In December 2003, he assumed chairmanship of the Men's Long-Distance Running Committee, a volunteer position that will give him a vehicle for redeveloping men's long-distance running talent. In a recent interview with Runner's World magazine, he expressed his plan "to approach this position in much the same way he did business, event directing and competitive running - with persistence and patience." He is Elite Athlete Coordinator of the Papa John's 10-Miler (USA Championship) and the race director for the new Anthem 5K Fitness Classic.

Jim will seek funding for new programs and hopes to provide further opportunities for emerging athletes.  He wants to give back to the sport he loves because it has given so much to him. After all, he met his wife through running. (He had to be fast enough to catch her.) As co-owners, they now share their passion and expertise with customers.

Camille Estes, the first female inductee to the Western Kentucky University Track and Field Hall of Fame, qualified for the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Trials.  She has run a sub-34-minute 10K, a 1:16 half-marathon and a 2:44 marathon.

KEN COMBS

Larry Holt, owner of Ken Combs Running Store at 4137 Shelbyville Road , has been running since the age of 14 - on the track, road and even through the muddy jungles of Central America . 

He ran cross-country and track for Bellarmine College and helped his cross-country team finish seventh in the country in 1982.  From there, he's finished eighth overall in the Louisville miniMarathon and had many victories at the McNeeley Lake 30K.  In the 1990s, Holt coached several Leukemia Team-In-Training teams and ran about a dozen marathons (posting finishes around 2:40).

In addition to the running store, he also owns New Balance of Louisville, and Just Socks (an e-business - justsocks.com). He is race director of the annual Jingle Bell Run, which benefits children through Bridge the Gap. Larry also coaches speed work sessions every Tuesday at 7:30 P.M at the Waggener High School track - year-round, rain or shine.

SWAG'S SPORT SHOES

Swag Hartel, of Swag's Sport Shoes, located at 7415 Old Third Street , has had an impressive running career since a young lad at boarding school in England . By the time he was a high school senior, he ran the half-mile in 1:50.8.

Hartel was a standout runner at Western Kentucky University (1971-1975), where he dropped his half-mile time to 1:48 and ran a four-minute mile.

In 1975 he placed third in the 1500 meters at the British AAA Championships (3:40.5) and was ranked 17th in the world in that distance.  The following year, he was fifth in the Olympic Trials (800 meters), beating out top runners such as Steve Ovett.

His friendly smile and British accent are guaranteed to charm and welcome customers, and it's the perfect stop when training on the hills at Iroquois Park .

FINDING THE RIGHT SHOE

"What's the best running shoe?" is the most common question that a customer has when they come in a running store. Jim Estes says that it's important for runners to keep their options open and not be set on one particular shoe. 

"We watch them run or walk in the shoe before matching a shoe to their specific needs. We want to see them do the activity they'll be doing when they wear the shoe," he said.

All of the storeowners agree that the first crucial step is to evaluate a customer's overall foot structure.  It makes a huge difference whether a foot is flat or high-arched.  In fact, they
can even determine if you have flexible arches.

Chris Harris, manager at Ken Combs Running Store, considers a customer's current mileage and goals.  He always asks two basic questions: What are you doing now, and what are you hoping to do?

Though you can look at old shoes for general wear pattern or watch them in action, Harris says he can usually just look at the foot structure when the customer is standing still to determine the style of shoe that is needed.

He explained that there are basically three styles from which to choose.  Cushion is recommended for a neutral, flexible wear, while stability shoes offer cushion with more support.   A motion-controlled shoe is ultra-supportive and is best for those with extremely flat feet and particularly for larger people. Be sure to discuss any recurring injuries, current aches or pains and your future goals so the expert fitting you can best assess your needs.

Hartel reemphasizes that the most common mistake customers make when shopping for a shoe, is that they go for looks rather than how it works.  They also often will want to purchase a size because that's what someone told them to buy in the past.

"The right size is as important as the right shoe," he says. "If it's too big or too small, you're going to have problems." 

These running experts are at your service to help you avoid problems.  They know more about feet and running shoes than you'll ever want to know, and I can guarantee that you won't find any of them dressed in those striped referee shirts. 

Cheryl McGinnis has a B.A. in English from Centre College, where she served as communications associate, cross-country coach and sports information director.  Cheryl was Kentucky 's NCAA Woman of the Year (1993) and National Inspirational Athlete of the Year (1994).  She is a member of the 2004 USA Triathlon World Team and was named All-American in triathlon and Duathlon (2003).  She is also a certified personal fitness specialist and spinning instructor.  For more information on coaching, call 228-0872 or e-mail: offrunnin@yahoo.com.