Okay it’s nearly September, time for me to start panicking that I will be completely unprepared for another Atlanta Half Marathon come Thanksgiving. What’s the first thing I should do? Buy new running shoes, of course.

Today, through the recommendation of a friend I stopped by a running store like no other I have ever been in, Big Peach Running Company, which is located on Peachtree Road just south of the Brookhaven Marta Station.

As far as I can tell this is an independently owned store (ie ‘not a chain’), and when I entered the store I was greeted by the busy staff. The guy to help me, Mike, proceeded to ask me about my running habits, provide me with shoes and then video my running stride while running on a treadmill, check the arch of my foot using some weird mood-ring like pad, and then supply me with four different shoe options based on the gathered information. Have I ever gotten this sort of service in Sports Authority or Dick’s (nee Galyan’s)? Nope.

The shoes I purchased are not the least expensive that I have ever purchased, but at forty I think a few extra dollars spent is worth it for having the proper shoes. I think my knees and feet will agree.

Let it be known that I have no financial interest in Big Peach Running Co. I just think that excellent customer service should be lauded.